Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Brianne Blom honored for outreach efforts Clay County Conservation naturalist Brianne Blom (left) earlier this month was honored with the Environmental Education Award from the Iowa Association of Naturalists. Blom is a local staple, leading many outdoors events and educational seminars throughout the county for children and adults alike.
NWI fishing report
Area water temperatures have started to slowly rise and are in the low to mid-50s. Most area lakes are at or above crest. Most courtesy docks are in place. The walleye season is closed on the Iowa Great Lakes until May 4
East Okoboji Lake: The lake level is a couple inches above crest.
Bluegill, fair. Yellow perch, fair. Sorting will most likely be needed.
Ingham Lake: Walleye, fair. Anglers have been successful morning and afternoon.
Silver Lake (Dickinson): Walleye, fair.
Spirit Lake: The lake is seven inches below crest.
Black crappie, fair. Anglers are finding quality-size fish. Bluegill, fair. Yellow perch, good. Sorting may be needed.
West Okoboji Lake: The lake level is a couple inches above crest
Black crappie, fair. Bluegill, good. Pumpkinseed, good. Yellow perch, fair. Sorting may be needed.
Donate extra plants to good home
If you buy too many plants and wonder what you are going to do with the extras, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has a solution for you.
"Throwing extra plants away is such a waste," said Master Gardener Coordinator John Buntsma. "It is great to give extras to friends, but not all our friends have the capacity or desire to handle those extras either."
Local Master Gardeners are accepting donations of extra plants for the second annual Master Gardener Plant Sale. In addition to plants, including extra seedlings you've raised, the group is accepting seed packs, divided perennials, garden books and gently used garden tools.
According to Buntsma, one objective for the sale is to raise funds for community-oriented garden projects. The second is to find good homes for plants. He notes that any plants that aren't sold will go somewhere useful.
The sale will also be a great time for shoppers and visitors to ask questions of Master Gardeners.
This year's plant sale will be Saturday, May 11, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., just outside the Extension Office at 400 Central Avenue NW in Orange City. Donations may be taken to the Extension Office in the days prior to the sale, or donations will be accepted from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, May 10 at the office.
For more information, contact Buntsma at (712) 737-4230 or [email protected].
Extension celebrates Soil and Water Conservation Week
Soil and water are valuable resources in Iowa. They sustain life and provide economic and quality of life opportunities for farmers, landowners and urban residents. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach recognizes the importance of our natural resources and is proud to celebrate Soil and Water Conservation Week, April 28-May 5.
This statewide celebration recognizes the ongoing work to improve soil conservation and water quality in Iowa, and engage Iowans in learning about the importance of conservation and natural resource stewardship.
This year, Iowa Soil and Water Conservation Week is being coordinated with National Stewardship Week, which is sponsored by the National Association of Conservation Districts.
"We are very proud of our soil and water conservation programs and the work that our specialists do to engage Iowans in learning about resource stewardship," said Jamie Benning, Extension assistant director for agriculture and natural resource, in a news release. "Every Iowan plays a role in safeguarding our natural resources and our programs are designed to reach multiple audiences."
Programs are available for homeowners, forest owners, farmers, conservation professionals, youth and anyone with an interest in natural resources. Each program offers timely information and research, with opportunities to network and learn from peers and natural resource specialists.
Extension specialists are knowledgeable and enthusiastic about conserving soil and water and improving their programs with the latest research. There are also many different natural resource programs available from Extension, with the Master Conservationist program being especially popular in northwest Iowa right now.
Master Conservationist is a collaborative program offered by Extension, county conservation boards and local conservation leaders and professionals. The intensive blended online and in-person curriculum is developed to equip Iowans interested in natural resource conservation with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed decisions.
Master Conservationist will be hosted this fall in the following northwest Iowa locations:
• Lyon County, August-October. Call (712) 472-2576 for more information and/or to reserve your spot.
• Dickinson County, Aug. 20-Oct. 1. Call (712) 336-3488 for more information and/or to reserve your spot.
For more information about any Extension program, contact your local office which can be located at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/countyservices/.
Robert D. Blue Scholarship deadline is May 10
The deadline to apply for the 2024 Robert D. Blue Scholarship is rapidly approaching. Students of any Iowa high school who plan to pursue, or are currently pursuing, higher education in the state for the upcoming academic year must submit their application at RDBlue.org by May 10.
The Iowa Centennial Memorial Foundation awards and funds the scholarship.
The Iowa Centennial Memorial Foundation was created in 1949 by Gov. Robert D. Blue. At that time a scholarship fund was established to encourage students to attend Iowa's institutions of higher learning. The Foundation officially named the scholarship after Blue in 1990, and hopes to encourage the education development of Iowa's students and their work in public service fields.
Applicants must complete each step of the application to be considered, including an essay and two letters of recommendation. Visit RDBlue.org to apply and learn more.
