Historic Hills Scenic Byway Postcard Itineraries

The Historic Hills Scenic Byway has completed the first of its Itinerary Postcard series! The postcards feature different points of interest and invite visitors to see what the Byway has to offer while taking the trip-planning stress out of the equation.  

The first postcard features stops in Bloomfield, Blakesburg, Moravia, and Wapello County. Visit: https://pathfindersrcd.org/HistoricHills to see the itinerary of the fun-packed trip we’ve planned along the Byway. You can pick up a free postcard at the Pathfinders office, or the Davis County and VanBuren County Welcome Centers! Keep your eye out for more postcards popping up in the future…

Cedar Creek Watershed Management Plan Complete

As part of Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy, Pathfinders is working on the Water Quality Initiative in the Cedar Creek Partnership Project, based out of Wapello County. The purpose of the projects is to support and improve water quality through a collaborative, research-based approach.

This month, Pathfinders completed the Cedar Creek Watershed Management Plan using data collected from stream assessments and feedback from community dialogues that took place in the watershed earlier in the year.

“The benefit of the watershed management plan is it provides us with information on how to move forward with the watershed project,” says Watershed Coordinator, Lanessa Baker.

To view the Watershed Management Plan, visit: https://pathfindersrcd.org/what-we-do/water-quality/
Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Site in Mahaska County Receives National Award

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) won the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation National Award for reclamation work on the Logan Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Project in Mahaska County, Iowa. The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement(OSMRE) will honor them during a national gathering of mine land reclamation professionals.

"The Department's Mines and Minerals Bureau does great work and I am extremely proud that their efforts are being recognized with this national award,” said Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. “Iowa has more than 12,000 acres of abandoned coal sites that were mined prior to 1977. The Department’s staff works with landowners to help turn these reclamation sites into beneficial areas that can be used for pasture, hayland, recreational areas, wildlife habitat and wetlands.”

"This is well deserved recognition for the State of Iowa's AML team. Pathfinders is proud to work with them and bring together other national and local partners to fund and enhance the reclamation project," notes Pathfinders Executive Director, Anna Bruen.
 
Pathfinders received 2 watershed cooperative agreement program grants from the Office of Surface mining, and a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant that helped fund construction to address acid mine drainage from the site and plant pollinator habitat on the 98 acre site. Other partners for the project included the Mahaska County SWCD, Iowa Learning Farms, and Mahaska County Supervisors.
 

Pathfinders and FEDA Receive Funds for Jefferson County Childcare Facility

This month, the Greater Jefferson County Foundation awarded over $177,000 of grant money to fund a variety of non-profit projects throughout the county. Pathfinders and partner, Fairfield Economic Development Association (FEDA), were among the grant recipients, receiving $25,000 towards creating a new childcare facility.

Childcare is an important infrastructure for vibrant communities. We're happy to be working with FEDA and the concerned and proactive business, parent, government, and non-profit groups in Fairfield to address the current need and plan for the future. Child care is as important as schools, streets, and housing. Survey results tell us that 58% of families with children ages 0-5 and 70% of families with children 6-17 have all parents in the labor force, yet childcare spaces have declined in the community - creating a gap.

Funds from the award will be a great start toward raising the necessary money to establish a new childcare center in Jefferson County.