Equestrian Wet Weather Trail
Tax deductible
Do you ride horses or mules in Shimek State Forest near Farmington, IA? Then help us, help you!
Friends of Shimek (FOS) is a non-profit, all volunteer organization. FOS has worked with the Shimek Forester and raised funds to upgrade and rock almost 6 miles of trail as a Wet Weather Trail system (WWT). These trails can be riden on horseback under much wetter conditions than the dirt trails without damaging the resource (That is, without causing gullies and ditches that destroy the forest.) The protection of the trails for future use is critical if we are to continue to be allowed to ride on these public trails. The WWT allows us to enjoy the trails more often, without damaging them.
However, to keep these trails rideable as a WWT, annual work is required. That means we must have the rock to replace that which has been worn or washed away each winter. The approximate cost of this is $2,000 per year--dollars that are NOT in the DNR budget as these trails are a convenience for us, not an essential forest budget item. The purpose of this fundraiser is to raise the $2,000 for 2016 to purchase rock that then will be applied to the damaged areas in the WWT by DNR staff and FOS Volunteers. With your help , you and other equestrians can continue to use these trails for many years.
Click here for FOS Web Blog
Friends of Shimek (FOS) is a non-profit, all volunteer organization. FOS has worked with the Shimek Forester and raised funds to upgrade and rock almost 6 miles of trail as a Wet Weather Trail system (WWT). These trails can be riden on horseback under much wetter conditions than the dirt trails without damaging the resource (That is, without causing gullies and ditches that destroy the forest.) The protection of the trails for future use is critical if we are to continue to be allowed to ride on these public trails. The WWT allows us to enjoy the trails more often, without damaging them.
However, to keep these trails rideable as a WWT, annual work is required. That means we must have the rock to replace that which has been worn or washed away each winter. The approximate cost of this is $2,000 per year--dollars that are NOT in the DNR budget as these trails are a convenience for us, not an essential forest budget item. The purpose of this fundraiser is to raise the $2,000 for 2016 to purchase rock that then will be applied to the damaged areas in the WWT by DNR staff and FOS Volunteers. With your help , you and other equestrians can continue to use these trails for many years.
Click here for FOS Web Blog
Organizer
Lora P Conrad
Organizer
Farmington, IA
Friends of Shimek State Forest Equestrian Trails
Beneficiary