MASON CITY – The Lime Creek Nature Center recently recognized its volunteers with a dinner and ceremony at the nature center. Following the dinner, the annual meeting of the Lime Creek Nature Center Foundation was held.
Boy Scout Troop 12 received the “Friend of Lime Creek Nature Center” Award for their long lasting support of conservation, education, and recreation in Cerro Gordo County.
This award was initiated in 2004 in conjunction with the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Lime Creek Nature Center to honor individuals, families, and organizations for exceptional efforts in the area of conservation education and support of the Lime Creek Nature Center’s mission.
Troop 12 has carved pumpkins for the nature center’s Halloween Hike for twenty three years for a total of approximately 2760 pumpkins!
In addition Troop 12 scouts have completed numerous Eagle Scout projects for the Cerro Gordo County Conservation Board and Lime Creek Nature Center, including bat and bird houses, fire rings and bird viewing blinds. These projects have had a profound positive impact on conservation and outdoor recreation in North Iowa; and the educational mission of the nature center.
Troop 12 has also provided volunteer assistance with various special events and activities at the Lime Creek Nature Center over its 29 years of existence.
The following volunteers were recognized for providing 20 or more hours of volunteer service to the Lime Creek Nature Center over the past year: Virginia and Merritt Balmer, Geri Barker, Donna and Richard Blanchard, Cal & Carolyn Braastad, Greg Braun, Ellen Deets, Jim Degen, Lyle and Rosemary DeGraw, Ann Fisher, Midge Gaylor, Rita Goranson, Paul Hertzel, Todd Kirkpatrick, Curt Krieger, Alf Larson, Kay Larson, Al Libby, Bruce McKee, Dale Mills, Carol North, Reva Pedelty, Alice Phillips, Michelle Rowland, Jacque Simon, Jim and Ruth Smith, Gene and Shirley Smith, Theresa Weaver.
“We are very grateful to all of our volunteers for whatever time they are able to give us,” said Todd Von Ehwegen, Conservation Education Manager. “The Lime Creek Nature Center simply could not carry out its environmental education mission without them.”
During its annual meeting, the Lime Creek Nature Center Foundation recognized outgoing board members Paul Hertzel and Tim Huey for their service and elected Dale Mills, Shannon Anderson, and Craig Sampson to three year terms.
The following individuals were elected as officers for the upcoming year: Michelle Rowland – President; Bruce McKee – Vice President; Ann Fisher – Secretary/Treasurer.
Remaining board members are Greg Braun, Ellen Deets, Rita Goranson, Alice Phillips, and Denise Wood.