Have you ever known some decision maker who reminded you of a brick wall? As in, "talking to him/her is like banging my head against a brick wall!!!" You can clearly see that important and achievable goal that will better your community, but that brick wall just stands there in the way. Maybe you can get around it, but wouldn't it be nice to just breeze right through?

 

I've known some brick walls in my day. But I'm proud not to be one. And I'm proud to associate with a board and a staff and county leaders who are progressive enough to make good things happen for our community. Many of us grumble because this or that can't get done with Mr/s. Brick Wall in charge. But I think that more often we should celebrate the progress we are making, and appreciate the resources we do have, and work our tails off to protect and improve those resources.

 

So, with that philosophy, I have led the Cherokee CCB into a partnership with local DNR staff from their Wildlife Bureau, Private Lands Division, to accomplish common goals and to protect and improve natural resources in the Little Sioux River Valley. With full board support and staff enthusiasm, we assist the DNR with prescribed fires and site assessment of remnant prairies and savannas on private lands. They, in turn, apply their staff and knowledge and experience to our county parks, to help manage our public lands with the best available practices.

 

We more than double our manpower this way. And the cultural and natural history of our valley grows more vibrant and healthy as we work together. Private landowners are the most important partners in this arrangement. With little incentive other than a conservation land ethic (read Aldo Leopold for more details), they invite our team to educate and improve their land management practices. Wildlife habitat improves, erosion and species invasion slows or stops, water quality is enhanced and the land remains appreciated, worked, cared for, admired and respected by its tenants.

 

How could we ask for more? The reward, to a non-brick wall person with a heart full of love for the prairie, the oak savanna, the river, the wildlife, the relationship between man and land...is the satisfaction of a job well done. But for some reason, the DNR folks didn't think that was enough. They celebrated the partnership by awarding the Cherokee CCB with a beautiful plaque of appreciation, a Partnership Award, and we were proud to accept it. Thanks, guys. Let's keep up the good work, together!