Clayton County Conservation year in review
Kenny Slocum, Motor Motor Race Coordinator, directed the 150 participants to the start line for the 2021 5K/10K Race which served at the Grand Opening of the Motor Mill Trail. (Photo by Larry Stone)
By Caroline Rosacker
Clayton County Conservation recently released its annual report that indicates another successful year of programing, expansion and responsible land stewardship. The organization is on a mission to promote the health and general welfare of the people; to model and encourage preservation, conservation, education and recreation through responsible use and appreciation of our natural resources and cultural heritage.
Clayton County Conservation Board
Clayton County Conservation Board members are Gary Kregel, chair; Daryl Landsgard, vice-chair; Larry Stone, secretary; Marilyn Lenth; Pamela Vaske and Director Jenna Pollock.
"The Clayton County Conservation Board meets regularly on the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Osborne Conservation Center," commented Pollock. "The board minutes are posted on the County Conservation website, www.claytoncountyconservation.org, and are available in print at the Clayton County Conservation Offices at the Osborne Conservation Center."
Conservation Board members manage 1,401 acres which includes six campgrounds, and 18 areas that are managed for wildlife habitat and recreation opportunities. "These areas consist of highly erodible river-bottom ground, reclaimed native prairies, and upland mixed-age forests," she described. "Clayton County Conservation Areas have an average corn suitability rating (CSR) of 31.8 with the higher CSR rating being located in floodplains."
Osborne visitors
People all across the United States, and internationally visit the Osborne Conservation Center each year. "In 2021, we welcomed over 9,533 visitors from 71 Iowa counties, 41 states and 6 countries," noted Pollock
Clayton County Conservation welcomed over 972 camping groups in 2021, spending a total of 2063 over-night stays at the campgrounds. "This influx of campers provided $32,609 back into the budget for maintenance and development needs," says Pollock.
Volunteers
The Environmental Education Program provided over 479 presentations to 7,525 participants, of which 80 percent were youth, totaling 2,193.5 hours of dedicated service. "The success of this program would not be possible without the assistance of our volunteers," Pollock said with gratitude. "Volunteers assist the Clayton County Conservation Board and staff by volunteering their time to guide at Motor Mill, help with clean-up projects, environmental education programs, hunter education classes, fishing clinics, Heritage Days, Iowa room staffing, bluebird house building, fishing pole maintenance, and many more projects. Without our dedicated volunteers, which have contributed 2,193.5 hours this year, we wouldn’t be able to achieve success."
Project support
In 2012, Clayton County Conservation utilized $631,208.48 in grant money to assist with projects and programming improvements. An additional $100,000 was received in donations and memorials. "The Osborne Partners for Environmental Education Endowment Fund received $4,527.31. Our partnerships are the driving force of this organization!" she exclaimed.
The Conservation Board completed several projects in 2021. They paved the walkways through the Native Wildlife Exhibit and Pioneer Village; completed two fish habitat projects, which included Volga River improvement at Osborne of an additional 200 feet of benched riverbank, and received toe rock, native seeding, and the installation of three groups of boulder clusters in the stream. "At Joy Spring County Park, forty feet of bank hides were installed, along with two cross-vanes, 40-feet of stream bank stabilization rock, and fifty feet of toe wood," added Pollock.
Conservation staff spent many hours in planning and grant writing for future projects. Pollock concluded, "This year the Motor Inn Revival project was awarded over $250,000 in grants and is slated for a grand opening in May of 2023. The Osborne Campground received $325,000 in grants and contributions and is slated for completion in 2025."
Upcoming programming
• Frenchtown Ice Fishing Clinic Saturday, Feb. 12, from 1-3 p.m. at Frenchtown Park.
• Winter Prairie Hike, Feb. 12, from 9:30- 11:30 a.m. at Motor Mill.
• Motor Motor 5K/10K Race, Saturday, March 19, 9:00 a.m. at Motor Mill.
For additional information contact Clayton County Conservation at 563-245-1516. The full 2021 Annual Report can be found on the Clayton County Conservation Board website https://www.claytoncountyconservation.org/the-board.
