Wetland Dedication and Nature Walk

WOOD DUCK WAY is a new trail that winds from the Otis Road bridge over Indian Creek through a moist forest a half mile to the Lynch Wetland. The trail was dedicated at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2009. The "ribbon", made of vines, was cut and the group of participants made its way down the trail amid the voracious mosquitoes ever present during the walk. Part of the trail is on an elevated walkway that allows people to enjoy this habitat without getting muddy.

"The project is more than a trail. Over the winter volunteers created openings in stands of cottonwoods and silver maples. In those openings other volunteers planted bur and swamp white oak, sycamores, Kentucky Coffee Trees, and other wetland species. Our goal is to diversify the forest," said Jean Wiedenheft, Facility Steward. The young trees were encased in plastic tubes to protect them from animals until they grow bigger. The tubes had netting placed over the top so birds did not fly down there looking for a nesting site and then couldn't get out. It was evident that much care was taken when planning this massive project.

Wood Duck Way was funded by a lead grant from Cargill, Inc. and support from Rockwell Collins, Alliant Energy, Trees Forever, the Linn County Trails Association, the Union Pacific Foundation, the Myron and Ester Wilson Fund at the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, and others. 'Because of its diverse funding and volunteerism this trail is really the creation of our community, not just the Nature Center,' said Indian Creek Nature Director, Rich Patterson.

Questions: What role do wetlands play in naturally regulating and filtering water in the hydrosphere? What other plant species (besides the trees) typically inhabit Eastern Iowa wetlands? What soils typify wetlands?

Directions: Travel East on Mt. Vernon Rd. to Bertram Rd. SE. Turn South past Touch of Class, over the Blue Bridge. Angle right and turn into the Nature Center Parking Log within a 1/4 mile. Cross Otis Rd. SE to the barn. Or to go directly to the wetland boardwalk, cross the bridge and enter the trail on the south side of Otis Rd.

Following directions - as usual...