Historic Hills Scenic Byway
The Historic Hills Scenic Byway Council members met this month to provide input for the final draft of the Interpretive Master Plan. The 173 page document was prepared by the Schmeeckle Reserve of the University of Wisconsin’s College of Natural Resources, and outlines the Byway’s resources, vision, mission and goals. The four interpretive goals outlined in this comprehensive document are:
- Develop effective interpretive media that guides visitors in their search for meaningful experiences along the byway.
- Offer programs that engage visitors in learning the stories of the byway.
- Improve visitor services and the byway “streetscape.”
- Develop marketing strategies to promote the byway and its attractions.
Council members met to confirm accuracy, propose changes and provided feedback for the Interpretive Master Plan before the final draft is available at the start of 2018.
Early Childhood Development
Pathfinders is pleased to provide services as a fiscal agent for other non-profits, including Early Childhood Iowa. Early Childhood Iowa (ECI) was founded on the premise that communities and state government can work together to improve the well-being of our youngest children. ECI's efforts unite agencies, organizations and community partners to speak with a shared voice to support, strengthen and meet the needs of all young children and families. Their vision is that, “Every Child, Beginning at Birth, Will be Healthy and Successful.”
Pathfinders shares this vision and concern for the children of our community. This month, Pathfinders was one of over 30 organizations that participated in a community meeting to discuss the future of childcare in Jefferson County. Executive Director, Anna Bruen, led a group discussion at the event which brought together nearly 50 people.
Meet The Board: Alan Yahnke
Alan Yahnke serves on the Board of Directors at Pathfinders RC&D and is a Davis County Supervisor. He is one of our newest members, joining the board in the first part of 2017.
For 30 years, Alan worked in first Fairfield and then the Eddyville community and decided it was time to become active in his own community of Davis County as well.
Alan was born and raised in Davis County, where he and his wife, Melissa, raised their four children. He is a full-time farmer with approximately 90 head of cows, and when that doesn’t keep him busy, participating on his community’s many boards certainly does. The Davis County Board of Health, the A. D. L. M. Counties Environmental Public Health & Facilities Management Systems, and the Davis County Fair are just some of the boards that Alan serves on in addition to ours.
As a Pathfinders Board member, he’s been thrilled to see our projects enhancing his hometown. “Pathfinders wrote grants for the new library in Davis County, and you should see it now. They also wrote grants for the Davis County Trails System which is now in Phase 2 of 3.” Alan loves serving the relaxed, good people of his small community.
DRGJrdjg dst Management Practices throughout the watershed
Pathfind
New Abandoned Mine Land Projects
Progress is underway for three Abandoned Mine Land (AML) reclamation projects. Pathfinders, in partnership with the Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Marion and Wapello Counties, recently received three Watershed Cooperative Agreement grants from the Office of Surface Mining totaling $300,000. The funds will be used to reclaim the 55-acre Schmitz AML site in Wapello County, 24-acre Rowley and 40-acre Indiana West sites in Marion County. Construction is set to begin this season.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Mines and Minerals Bureau manages the construction of the projects. Together with project partners they tackle the environmental, safety, and aesthetic concerns these abandoned mine sites present. These include exposed remnant coal leading to acid mine drainage, which in turn lowers the pH in receiving waterbodies that negatively affects aquatic life and reduces biodiversity. Additionally, acidic soils do not support the growth of vegetation so landscapes look barren and the soil continues to runoff without vegetation to hold it in place. Lastly, dangerous “highwalls” and large, steep spoil piles from mining activity can be hazardous to people and animals traversing the site.
To date, Pathfinders RC&D has partnered on more than 40 AML projects in six counties, receiving over $4 million in grant dollars from the Office of Surface Mining. To learn more about the abandoned surface coal mines in Iowa, the environmental hazards they pose, and how the reclamation process works, visit our website: https://pathfindersrcd.org/what-we-do/mine-land-reclamation/
