HCCB News & Current Events
Life Rolls On
By Scott Nelson, Director
What a year! Harsh winter, torrential spring, 500 year floods (again). Sometimes you are dealt cards you would rather not have, but you still have to play those cards. All of these trials and tribulations, along with staff changes here at the HCCB, have created quite a year for all of us. You
just have to keep your head and chin up, and go with the flow.
When the Corps of Engineers first made available the “inundation maps” of the forecasted
flooding of the Missouri River, I believe everyone gasped. There were numerous meetings with many agencies to make preparations to protect lives and property. According to these maps, the HCCB was to have at least 4 areas under water: Remington Landing, Missouri Bottoms Wetland, Vaile Wetland, and Nolan Wetland - with a total acreage of nearly 700 acres. Staff pulled signs, measured parking lots, drained the wetlands, and dismantled the irrigation well electrical panels.
The Welcome Center was inundated with numerous travelers wondering how they were to reach their destinations with interstates and highways closed. Our Board, made up of 5 citizens of Harrison County, made the decision to open our campgrounds to displaced homeowners who needed a place to call “home” in this time of great need. We were more than humbled to help five different families stay with us.
The HCCB feels very fortunate that only one area received flood waters: Remington Landing. We will have to evaluate the property when the waters recede, hoping that it still exists. The remaining areas just needed to be put back together. We know when we are lucky!
On a better note, life is rolling on at the Historical Village/Welcome Center in that Phase II is well on its way to completion. The construction of the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway Trails Project began in May of 2011. A total of 1 mile of trail, with 1/2 being concrete, the other 1/2 being crushed rock and limestone steps, will offer visitors a unique opportunity to observe the native grasses, flowers, and wildlife, along with the scenic vistas that are offered.
Lighted bollards with exceptional interpretation will guide people along their journey to discovering what a unique landscape the Loess Hills are. After the hike, make sure that you stop in the Visitor Center auditorium and watch two short movies about the Hills and the creation of the Lincoln Highway. Look for information in the local newspapers and our website for the dates marking the “Grand Opening” in the spring. The Harrison County Historical Village/Iowa Welcome Center is truly becoming a crown jewel for the HCCB system. I personally invite all of you to visit and to bring your family and friends. You will be pleasantly surprised at all of the changes, and that we are no longer a “been there, done that” attraction.
New Online Hunter Education Course
By Mike Weis, Park Ranger
Pheasant Hunting season begins October 29, 2011. |
Monarchs in Mexico
By Gary Barrineau, Conservation Technician
In the entire world, no butterflies migrate like the monarchs of North America. They travel much farther than all other tropical butterflies, up to 3,000 miles! They are the only butterflies to make such a long, two-way migration every year. Amazingly, they fly in masses to the same winter roosts, often to the exact same trees. Their migration is more the type expected from birds or whales. However, unlike those animals, individuals only make the round-trip once. It is their children’s grandchildren that return south the following fall.
While they are in Mexico, the butterflies are clustered in the giant trees of the oyamel fir forests. Since it is cool in the mountains, it lowers their metabolism so they don’t use up too much of their fat reserves. These reserves will be needed for the beginning of the spring migration.
Starting in late February and early March, the temperatures begin to rise and the monarchs begin their journey back. Usually, once they reach Texas, the females will lay eggs on the first of the milkweed plants and then die. In most cases, they will not make it back to Iowa. We will see their offspring later in June.
In the last decade, scientists have learned a lot about monarch butterflies and their migration to Mexico with a tagging program. Monarch Watch is operated out of the University of Kansas. Monarchs are either raised and released or captured and tagged with a small sticker. If it is recaptured in Mexico, the number on the tag will tell scientists where it came from and they can then add another piece to the puzzle.
Thousands of people from across the U.S., from individuals to classrooms, tag monarch butterflies to help scientists learn more about them. If you would like to participate next fall (September is the best time), visit www.monarchwatch.org for more information.