Thunderhead over Stone Park

Thunderheads over Stone Park have been a common occurence this summer. Heavy rains result in more picnics being washed out and more time spent mowing grass. Stone Park has faired much better than other state parks in Iowa. Several parks have experienced flooding and closing of facilities. We have had only minor trail washouts and a few fallen limbs.

A few of our staff helped out recently at Gull Point State Park. Gull Point is located on Okoboji where numerous trees were damaged from a sudden storm.

Today at Stone Park

While waiting for the grass to dry this morning for mowing, I snapped some pictures at the park. The prairie grass is getting awfully tall!

There are still plenty of flowers blooming, too.

Unfortunately, a storm blew in around noon, putting photos (and mowing) on hold...

Pleased to Meet You!

This is Bethany here; I'm interning this summer here at Stone State Park! I just finished my junior year at the University of Iowa, majoring in Geoscience and International Studies. I've been working at the park since June and have enjoyed getting to know the land. I'm fascinated by the earth sciences, and love hiking, running & traveling. Although I grew up in Connecticut, my mother is from Hinton, so I've been visiting Stone Park since I was a child. This past fall semester, I was able to came home from school to run in the Broken Toe Trail Run; I even won my age group! (full disclosure: I may have been the only runner in my age group...) I'm excited to have the opportunity to give back a little to the park!
I volunteered this past Spring Break at Hitchcock Nature Center in Honey Creek, Iowa. I was able to learn about their efforts to restore native prairie and even got to spend some time clearing hillsides, even though it was still quite frosty out! It was a wonderful experience, and Mr. Redmond (who helped guide the trip) recommended that I intern at Stone Park this summer. I'm glad I took his suggestion! I look forward to learning more about the park and lending a hand in caring for the land.
Pleased to meet you all!
Bethany M.

Recent Bird Sightings

Monday, 17 May, 2010, Stone State Park, Woodbury County, Iowa

1 Summer Tanager (beautiful adult male near Turtle Lake restroom)- pictured right, by Paul Roisen 

1 Scarlet Tanager ( beautiful adult male at Turtle Lake trail area)

1 Yellow-throated Vireo

1 Broad-winged Hawk

1 Northern Parula (at the other shelter area before you get to Turtle Lake parking-also a pair of Scarlet Tanagers there)

Jerry V.

Many Hands Make Light Work!

Perfect Spring weather and a large turn-out made the Friends of Stone Park/ Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center Spring Clean-up a big success on May Day 2010.

The two miles of Highway 12, from Riverside to the Stone Park entrance, have never looked more pristine. We made our little corner of the world a better place today!

Morel-Hunting Time is Here

The Morel mushrooms are out and ready for picking. The first Morels were found 10 days ago, but there are more waiting to be found. Morel mushrooms are one of the few wild edibles that the public is allowed to remove from the park. Walnuts, acorns, and wild raspberrys can also be collected in State Parks. The season is short, so get out in the park and find your trophies today!

Letter from Stone Park Neighbor and Avid Equestrian

I wanted to let you know that we had our first of 2010 ride through the park's trails yesterday afternoon. The trail work done last year looks fabulous, and the trails are in great condition.

Congratulations to you, Kevin, for your work once again to bring the park trails back into good repair. Kudos to all that helped you, either through volunteering to work with the trail crews, supplying equipment or materials, or contributing cash for the trail work done.

We were pleased to see the first Spring flowers along the trails blooming.

Thanks, Kevin, and all those responsible for trail work done in 2009 and before.

Karen Q.

Garlic Mustard, turn a forest pest into tasty pesto...

   Garlic mustard is an invasive plant found in Stone Park. Help eradicate this invasive plant by serving it for supper tonight!

   Garlic mustard leaves can be eaten fresh in salads or used in any recipe calling for mustard greens. Ensure the plants are clean and free of any chemical treatments. Plants may be dried or sautéed to add spice to any favorite recipes. Do not replant this invasive into your herb gardens. There is plenty to go around and many opportunities in Stone Park for collecting.
   Bon appétit!











Garlic Mustard Pesto and Pasta
Makes 4 cups
4 cloves garlic
3 tablespoons garlic mustard taproots
3/4 cup parsley
1 cup garlic mustard leaves
1 1/2 cups basil leaves
1 1/2 cups olives
2 cups walnuts or 3/4 cup pine nuts
1 1/4 cups olive oil (or as needed)
2 cups grated Parmesan

In food processor:
1. chop garlic and garlic mustard roots
2. add parsley, garlic, garlic mustard leaves and basil and chop
3. add nuts and chop coarsely
4. add olive oil and process until you've created a coarse paste. Add to cooked pasta and toss well.

   Garlic mustard was brought from Europe in the 1800s for culinary and medicinal purposes. In the wild this invasive species can quickly dominate the forest floor choking out wildflowers ferns and trees seedlings. High in vitamins a and C., the plant smells like garlic and resembles mustard plant or Creeping Charlie. While most animals dislike the taste, cooks are rediscovering its culinary roots and are biting back.
   For reclaiming the woods, the best control method is to pull and dispose of the plants prior to seed production.

                                                         Collecting tips:
   April through June, pull the plant and its entire roots. Searches semi-shaded forests, especially along trails. Plant parts have a garlic like order when crushed. Discard uneaten portions in the garbage to help prevent the plant from spreading.
   As one plant can produce hundreds of seeds that remain viable up to five years, once seeds start shedding, stay away from the plant to help minimize spreading.

Reprinted from Iowa Outdoors Magazine, May/June 2010

Today in Stone Park

 

Today in Stone Park