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Thanks9HomerSalute to nature’s best communicatorFor most of us. when we think of Calkins Campus or the ECC Nature Center - we think of Homer. We think of Homer Calkins because since he and his wife Ruth donated their farmland to Ellsworth Community College • he has been the inspiration and guiding force behind the development of the unique area.Thousands of Iowans and visitors from foreign countries have been drawn to Iowa Falls and the Nature Center because of Homer’s commitment to environmental education and conservation.Those of us who make regular trips to the wildlife compound south and west of Iowa Falls count on Homer to give us a glimpse of what’s going on in nature that is just not readily available from any other source. He points out seasonal changes and calls our attention to the idiosynchrasies of his feathered friends who reside at the Nature Center. We marvel as the animals respond to the sound of his voice, the touch of his hand. We realize over and over again what a rare individual Homer Calkins is and how fortunate our community is to be able to draw on his expertise and dedication.His prose has appeared in the columns of this newspaper over the years and we’re sure you’ll agree that no one can paint a word picture of flocks in fall migration or the intricacies of leaves changing color quite like Homer. He seems to experience the wonderof nature at a level above our own, but he shares it with us so easily and lovingly.As Homer Calkins turn over the reins of the Nature Center, officially, to his daughter, Marilyn Tjarks, we feel a bit apprehensive and wonder if anyone else can ever really do the job he’s done there so faithfully.But conversations with Marilyn reveal the same deep commitment to the Nature Center and to Calkins Campus that we have appreciated in her father.It will take us a while to break old habits - not call Homer with all our questions, not expect to see him working with the injured and orphaned animals.But all the necessary permits to operate a facility like the Nature Center are now in Marilyn Tjarks’ name, and she will undoubtedly prove to be an excellent caretaker. She has already been in that role for more than two years. You can tell from reading her “Naturally” column that appears on the Hardin County Times editorial page once a month that she is beautifully tuned into the cycles and dramas that occur at the Nature Center and shares her father’s flair for writing.We all thank you, Homer Calkins, for what you have given and will continue to give to Iowa Falls - a very special window on nature. The best way we can all thank Homer Calkins for his work well done is to make a trip to the Nature Center and enjoy the trails and animals he loves so much. Do it soon.Fall is time for ‘transitions’September is a month of transition. The schools begin their fall term, the weather begins to remind us that winter is coming, and we all suddenly realize that we only have a few weeks in which to do all those things we had planned for this summer.This month is also a transition period here at the Nature Center. It is time to start planning our winterization schedule, start releasing the young animals and birds we have cared for until they can manage in the wild, and time to make known a change in our rehabilitation guidelines.Homer Calkins has been tapering off his active involvement at the Nature Center for the past year. With the release of the young owls, fawns, rabbits and raccoons,' his handling of this part of the Nature Center work will end.The necessary state and federal permits to do rehab work either have been put in the name of the college or are in the process of being put in my name.We will continue to have the expert help of Dr. Jim McCord of Alden and the cooperation of area state conservation officers. We maybyMarilynTjarksiiNaturally99need to make a few changes in our guidelines as to what birds and animals will be accepted for rehabilitation. This is under study by the steering committee. With your continued help and support, our work and services will remain the same.SOME NOTEWORTHY EVENTSduring the past month have been observed. The peacock molted 207 train feathers this year. Five of our waterfowl were a part of the Conservation Commission’s display at the state fair. Gussie was evidently feeling left out or ignored and followed me into the black-shouldered peafowl pen one afternoon (I should have checked behind me).This resulted in the pea hen getting out and remaining out foT twenty-four hours!She was quite content perching in a tree overnight and spending the next morning on the roof of the pigeon building. It was with great joy I finally got her to the ground and then slowly escorted her back to her pen and her lonesome mate.IN THE PAST week we’ve been seeing more and more Great Blue Herons overhead on their way south. A large number of hummingbirds have been seen most evenings around the pond. The fall migration of warblers is underway, also; they are much harder to identify now than in the spring.The leaves are beginning to change color, and in some places the trail is carpeted with soft yellows, golds, reds, and browns.The mosquitoes are showing up, but during the next month, we all can enjoy the beauty of this part of Iowa by simply walking in our own neighborhood or visiting one of our parks.It’s a good time to celebrate nature.i*PACS a distressing reformBrace yourself.I am about to suggest that our democracy might be better today ifNixon had never been caught in his web of lies and had served out his term. After you have recovered from that suggestion, let us go on.If the attempted cover-up had been successful we might not — I say might not - have something called PACS: and PACS, over a period oftime, may do more harm todemocracy than having a presidentwho would deliberately cover-up, conceal and lie to us. Eventually he would have been out of office. But PACS show signs of total permanency.Among the post-Watergate “reforms,” Congress made it legal for special interest groups -corporations, unions, trade associations and the like - to formbyCarlHamiltonPACS for the purpose of supporting their friends at election time and to lobby. They can’t take money directly from their treasuries to do those things. But, through PACS, they can do very much the same thing.And in the process they are eroding democracy at an alarming rate. They are making a laugh out of one-man-one-vote. The influencethey wield is frightening and growing at an alarming rate.For example: Our U.S. senators and representatives are increasingly dependent on PACS. In the last election the average U.S. senator received nearly $600,000 from PACS. In four years the amount of money pouring into campaign funds from this source has increased by SIX times. Many elected officials have enough left over to begin their next campaign or put some aside forRETIREMENT!Let’s take the case of Senator Grassley. We don’t suggest that his case is any more or less concern than that of our other representatives in Washington, (aside from Jim Leach who is strong and wealthy andPACS...see page 3In 1935From the April 1985Iowa Cdnser\ationist magazineHomer Calkins has been involved in environmental education and conservation activities throughout his life. He grew up in the Iowa Falls community and became acquainted with the unique beauties of the Iowa River valley. He farmed for several years and served during the 1950’s as an instructor in the Agriculture Program for Veterans.This perhaps had much to do with his conviction that education is a vital key to conservation. His soil conservation activities have been numerous as exemplified by 4-Hleadership, service as Hardin County Soil District Commissioner and involvement in the Standard Soil Survey of Hardin County.Involved in scouting as a boy, as an adult he successively was Cub Master, Explorer Advisor, Neighborhood Commissioner and for over 20 years has been Merit Badge Counselor to scouts in the community.During his 18 years of service as Executive Director of the Hardin County Conservation Board (retired 1976) Calkins became known and respected' for his dedication and unsparing efforts to preserve the Iowa River Greenbelt.Through his leadership a Corps of Engineers dam across the Iowa River has successfully halted. The planned bisection of the Greenbelt in Hardin County by interstate highway 520 was brought to a standstill (at least to date) by an outstanding public relations effort that focused attention on the scenic, natural qualities of this area.During his tenure some 1,200 acres of land were brought under the protection of the Hardin CountyHIS ENVIRONMENTAL education activities include: coordination of summer programs aimed at acquainting youngsters (and especially the underprivileged withcommunity resources available in*county parks; conceiving and coordinating field days for 5th grade students — in which some 500 youngsters in Hardin County are annually taken to the Greenbelt for “hands on” experience with water, air, soil and wildlife; coordination of ‘‘Environmental Quality in the 70’s,” an adult education course; coordination of senior citizen trips to the Greenbelt; development of a program on local radio devoted to environmental activities; and involvement in teacher training workshops during two terms as Vice Chairman of the Iowa Conservation Education Council.In 1976 Homer suffered a very serious accident resulting in injuries that mandated his retirement. Physical vexations, however, dimmed neither his enthusiasm nor the depth of his commitment.In 1981, Homer and Ruth and their children donated their family property consisting of 76 acres of land, including 51 acres of native timber bordering the Iowa River to the Ellsworth College trustees with the stipulation that it be developed as the “Ellsworth College Nature Area” and devoted to environmental education for the whole community.Characteristically, Homer, though, technically retired and physically disabled, has been the single hardest .working member of the group associated with the natureHomer Calkins is Iowa Falls’ own ‘Dr. Doolittle’ because he ‘talks to the animals.’ Timcs-Citlzcn photo.center. The donation of the nature area and Homer’s long-time interest in practical, professional training has sparked the development of a program for conservation technicians at Ellsworth College for students who wish to work in the conservation area.ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS AREtested in any volunteer activity and again Homer has provided the “glue” to hold the nature center together. With heavier and heavier use, problems range from directing volunteer clean up crews, to creating Boy Scout projects; from meeting with and occasionally providing dinner for visiting consultants, to coordinating vists of busloads of school children, fraternal groups, clubs, and family groups. Visitorsfrom 37 states, 130 Iowa communities and 14 foreign countries have signed the guest book at what has affectionately been dubbed “Calkins Campus.”■-. ■ — *.A self taught naturalist, Homer has long since established his expertise in respect to native plants and flowers. Some four years ago, with the aid of his wife, Ruth (a registered nurse), and his daughter, Marilyn, he began rehabilitating orphaned or wounded birds and animals.Last year some 84 birds and animals were brought in to their animal “hospital” and over 40 percent were successfully returned to the wild.In addition to the time dedicated to hand feeding, doctoring and caring for his “patients,” Calkins has begun a banding program for his released birds.At his urging, the 22 acres of cropland that form part of the naturearea have been converted this season from standard cultivation practices to a minimum tillage program.THIS. ALONG WITH conservation practices such as terracing, contouring, grassed headlands and waterways, will provide one of the few field study areas where soil and water conservation practices and the facilities for basic nature studies exist. 'Homer is one of the least parochial of natural scientists. He captivates and excites a class working on their science project. He is totally at home with a farmer donating grain for his “rehab patients,” or a fisherman bringing in carp or suckers for the white pelican or blue heron. He is equally at ease and provocative as he exchanges ideas with recognized professionals and experts who visit the nature area.This outstanding talent for communicating an excitement about nature to everyone around him is the core of his rapport with the public. In addition to his daily role as resident, unpaid naturalist and caretaker (at age 72) of the nature area, he provides pictures and feature articles in a variety of publications that have amassed a total of well over 2,000 inches of news copy devoted to the nature area and nature lore in two years. Radio coverage and a feature appearance on public television further illustrate the tremendous talent Homer has in spreading the conservation message.Homer Calkins has magnificent vision. He is a shining example of leadership in teaching environmental responsibility and fostering an appreciation of the beauty and worth of the natural world that surrounds us.
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