Tuesday, April 30, 2007 - Exploreokoboji.com
Angler's Bay Restoration Kicks Into High Gear

(Spirit Lake)-- A restoration of Angler's Bay on the northeast side of Big Spirit Lake is kicking into high gear.

The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation is overseeing the 6.67 million dollar project involving two-thirds of a mile of shoreline.

The project is intended to protect some bulrushes and the aquatic ecosystem in that area.

Anita O'Gara of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation says the DNR recently conducted a prescribed burn on the 93-acre site to clear invasive brush and stimulate native prairie plants.

O'Gara says heavy equipment will soon be on the site to restore three wetlands. She says about 15 ares around the largest wetland will be planted with a diverse prairie seed mix. A former hayfield and part of the original crop field will be farmed this year to prepare the ground for prairie restoration this fall.

O'Gara says a fence and shrubs will establish the north boundary of the public property.

She adds volunteers will be invited to help clean up the shoreline later in the year, and that clearing of the former building site has begun.

O'Gara says some large Bur Oak trees will be planted on the site, while some box elder, cottonwood and ash trees will be removed as they could interfere with the prairie/wetland restoration.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will own and manage the site once the preservation is completed.

O'Gara says they're planning a dedication ceremony for the morning of Saturday, August 2nd, 2008. Activities will include guided pontoon rides along the bulrushes; bird watching; lessons on aquatic life with naturalists; and many others.

O'Gara says the event will also recognize the more than 1,000 people who donated money for the project, along with former landowners Don and Nancy Yarns and state lawmakers who approved major public funding.

Friday, September 21, 2007 - Exploreokoboji.com

Angler's Bay Project Hits Fundraising Goal

(Spirit Lake)-- It was announced today (Friday) the Angler's Bay restoration project has officially reached its fundraising goal.

Anita O'Gara is with the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation which spearheaded the effort. She tells KUOO news they've taken in 1.67 million dollars in private donations and five million in public funds. She says there were more than 1,050 donors.

O'Gara says the amount of money that was raised was unprecedented for the foundation.

Now that the needed money has been raised, O'Gara says work can get underway on restoring and preserving the bulrushes and aquatic ecosystem along two-thirds of a mile of natural shoreline, and to transform the adjacent land with wetland, prairie and a trail.

O'Gara says restoration of two wetlands and a prairie planting could get underway yet this fall, weather permitting. She says the work will be done jointly by the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources with the trail work being done by the Dickinson County Trails Board.

No public use is being allowed yet on the 93 acres, now owned by the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. O'Gara says only a small portion nearest to Hales Slough has been transferred to the DNR. After the current crop is harvested, O'Gara says that portion will be posted for public use. She says the remainder of the land will be transferred to the DNR by late 2008.

Although the fundraising goal has been reached, O'Gara says they continue to accept donations that will be used to help establish the trail and provide amenities such as benches and interpretive signage.

O'Gara went on to thank everyone who donated as well as former landowners Don and Nancy Yarnes for making the project possible from the start.

The land had been in the Yarne's family since 1872 when Don's father, 'Sid' Yarnes, bought it from the federal government with a deed signed by President Ulyses S. Grant.

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