Here it is April already – time to get going to help out with the Park and Woods. We have been very successful in developing membership, obtaining non-profit tax status, and forming an excellent Board of Directors, as well as establishing a good working relationship with the City of Ames Parks and Recreation Department. This year we will begin working on projects to protect and improve the Park and Woods we all love.

Our priorities for 2016 include the following:

• Purchase and install two trailside park benches; one in Lee Park and one in Munn Woods.
• Adopt several flower gardens in Lee Park, with a focus on monarch butterfly and pollinator insect conservation.
• Establish a four-acre preserve for native plants and trees in Lee Park.
• Continue efforts to remove invasive buckthorn, Asian honeysuckle, and garlic mustard from the Park and Woods.
• Establish a working website (visit www.leemunnfriends.wordpress.org) and a Facebook page.
• Conduct several nature walks in the spring and fall.

Other items

We are starting to post our Board of Directors minutes on the website so you can see what the heck we are up to. We are consulting with Ames Parks and Rec about creation of a stream crossing and signage at the east trail entrance to Munn Woods.

Did any of you see these snow rings in the trail between Lee Park and Oakland street this winter? Do you know what they are?  Probably a woodland prank, but quite well-crafted, with no signs of human interference.

We are starting a new webpage for the new Friends of Lee Park and Munn Woods group! Check back often for announcements about gatherings, work parties, and cool things seen in the parks.