“We get by with a little help from our friends.”

Many of those friends and others were also recognized for the many hours they’ve put into Webster County Conservation’s various properties during the meeting.

Trail Tech Brody Bertram highlighted some of those groups and individuals, including a group of goats loaned to them by the Peace Creek Animal Sanctuary that helped remove invasive species from the Children’s Forest at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park.

“They were there from July to October,” Bertram said. “We put some weight on them. They helped manage the invasive species that choke out the native ecosystem. Humboldt Vet Clinic helped transport them and Franklin County Conservation loaned us the fence. They grazed three acres. That’s 16,335 square feet per goat grazed.”

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
As the newly appointed president of the Friends of Webster County Conservation Board, Tony Recker, of Fort Dodge, looks on at right, as Treasurer Jerry Beck presents Peace Creek Animal Sancturary volunteer Skyla George with a $300 donation at the Friends group's annual business meeting Monday night at Camp WaNoKi. The group loaned Webster County Conservation a herd of goats that helped clear invasive species from the Children's Forest area at John F. Kennedy Park.

As a thank you, the Friends group donated $300 to Peace Creek Animal Sanctuary, which is near Badger.

Another effort with a lot of volunteers was impressive by the numbers. That was the annual Des Moines River Cleanup.

“We had 23 volunteers, five staff and 15 boats,” Bertram said. “We pulled out one ton of metal, 72 tires, one ton of trash, two TV sets and three of the heaviest microwaves ever to be lifted. I didn’t know you could get that much sediment in one of those. We also pulled out one giant tractor tire.”

“We also have the Johnson Jaguars 4-H Club,” Bertram said. “They come out and mulch the Playscape area.”

Kohl’s employees, workers from Cargill, Elanco, Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota and St. Edmond Catholic School were also recognized for their help with planting and donating trees, as well as cleanups.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Nancy Hamilton, of Fort Dodge, was among the many volunteers recognized Monday night during the Friends of Webster County Conservation's annual business meeting at Camp WaNoKi. Hamilton keeps the Little Free Library in the John F. Kennedy Memorial Park campgrounds stocked with books.

Nancy Hamilton, of Fort Dodge, was recognized, too. She’s been stocking the Free Library in the John F. Kennedy Memorial Park Campground for years.

“We work closely with the Community Foundation,” she said.

Webster County Conservation Director Matt Cosgrove gave the group an update on the River’s Edge Discovery Center. He presented images of some of the exhibits and the current advanced state of construction that he said is ahead of schedule.

One interesting item will greet visitors.

“We’re going to hang a canoe built by Clark Fletcher’s dad upside down with lights in it,” Cosgrove said.

He also gave an update on the Fort Dodge-to-Badger trail project. Work is currently underway on the 10-foot-wide concrete trail. He is happy to report as well that he’s been in talks with Hamilton County to possibly connect the Fort Dodge/Webster County trail system to the Three Rivers Trail in the future.

Cosgrove also shared some preliminary plans for trails in both Gowrie and Dayton that are under development. The first phase of the trails in Dayton would circle the golf course and rodeo grounds. The Gowrie trail would connect the golf course and school on the northwest side of town.

Cosgrove is grateful for the work the Friends group does, as well as the funding they help provide.

“We would not be able to do the things we do without our volunteers,” he said.

Casey Johnson, owner of Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota, was on hand for the evening.

“I came here in respect for all that you do,” he said. “Quality of life is important for businesses that want a neat community to live in. This is one of the things that contributes to that. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”