By Mari Radtke
The McCormack Area as a designated place for riding horses stayed in on the O’Brien County Conservation agenda. The issue continues to bring visitors speaking to riding horses on public lands.
Patty Vollink has publicly championed the cause of trail riding in O’Brien County since October 2020. She spoke again at the board meeting, thanking OCCB for their effort to develop riding trails. She also took time to thank Sherri Bootsma for her compelling letter to officials of the Fish and Wildlife Habitat Stamp program asking for an exception on Waterman Prairie land just east of Prairie Heritage Center, to allow horse riding. The land was purchased, in part, through the Wildlife Habitat Stamp fund program, giving that board authority for allowable activity there. Although no restriction against horse riding on O’Brien County public lands exists specifically and is not posted anywhere, currently, the local conservation board prohibits the activity. Vollink also reminded the board that the McCormack Area does not offer a safe path from parking to the designated riding area, over a mile.
Jolene Hultgren, a member of Back Country Horsemen has attended several OCCB meetings in support of developing horses trails in O’Brien County. Back Country Horsemen are involved all across Iowa doing volunteer work to build and maintain horse riding trails. Hultgren read a statement offering an apology for not inviting others to attend a tour of McCormack Area with her. She said her visit was “on a whim” and she only brought her dog. Hultgren had previously submitted a letter describing the pros of the area and recognized it as “a huge start in forming a positive, collaborative relationship” with county decision makers.
Director Brian Schimmer updated the board on the progress of the armoring project on Scout Island at Mill Creek. The bridge is in and the rip rap being placed is well underway.
The board approved advertising for summer help and for volunteers. Assistant Director Amber Wetherell reported that they cannot get any volunteers. Several people have reported having signed up to be a volunteer but have not been contacted.
Abbie Parker, O’Brien County’s Naturalist provided a view of all of the places she has been able to go to conduct environmental programs. She explained she has been at all of the libraries in O’Brien County. She has been able to do a little work in the schools, but COVID still makes entry difficult. In her efforts she has been able to do some online programs with the school districts.