Summer isn't really weblogging season. But I find myself waxing poetic during a pause to reflect, and I thought I should
touch base with those rare souls who care to read the CCCB blog.
Someone recently asked me, "What do you do down there?" referring to the mysterious events eminating from our modest
headquarters tucked into the "industrial" side of town. Well, as the office rattles with the passing of a heavy truck, let
me tell you.
We mow. We chop/spray/pull weeds. We clean public restrooms, restock toilet paper, paint over graphitti, sweep floors
and empty trash cans. We sort the recyclable materials from the trash. We pick up bottle tops and cigarette butts and beer
bottles and dirty diapers and empty bait containers. We shovel charcoal and ashes from grills and fire pits. We cut up the
trees that have fallen on roads and campgrounds.
We cut brush from prairies, maintain birdhouses, grade roads and boat ramps, tune up our trucks, and build and repair picnic
tables.
We attend meetings about safety, leadership, conservation, sexual harrassment and/or CPR. We network with other
conservation departments and agencies. We burn prairies. We plant trees. We teach individuals, classes, public service groups
and each other.
We rescue orphaned and injured wildlife. We pick up discarded tires. We care for a family of trumpeter swans, an eastern
tiger salamander, an ornate box turtle, a largemouth bass, two crayfish and an aquarium full of beetles and ants. We look
for mountain lion tracks whenever someone calls with a sighting.
We also represent CCBs at the Clay County Fair and the Iowa State Fair. We participate in professional conservation organizations
(Pheasants Forever, National Wild Turkey Federation, Iowa Prairie Network, Ducks Unlimited, Iowa Association of Naturalists)
locally and statewide.
We split firewood. We sell firewood. We build a fire on cold wintery days to heat our office building. We try to balance
recreational offerings for all of our citizens and visitors with the rare, pristine, quiet nature of our parks. We maintain
trails.
Occasionally, we help little old ladies across the street.
And every day brings new challenges, some frustrating and some exhilerating. We wouldn't do it if we didn't love it.
Right guys? Guys? Oh. Yeah. They're all out busting their rears getting the work done. Break time's over! I'd better
get back to work...
