I'm looking forward to a work day with a bunch of Trout Unlimited friends on Saturday. We're planting dozens of oaks along Lowery Creek in Iowa County. The land and stream are part of a restored prairie and stream with public access to the stream, thanks to the conservation ethic and generosity of the Cates family. Lowery Creek has a thriving population of wild brook trout with Driftless Area genetics. These fish are one of the few sources of broodstock for the DNR's efforts to bolster wild brook trout in the Driftless Area as climate change and other threats take their toll.
A partially shaded creek cools the water and provides food sources for birds, fish, insects, and more. Photo by Joshua Mayer
The oaks will provide shade to the stream and stabilize stream banks. The shade might prove vital as air and water temperatures warm. Brook trout absolutely require cold water. Lots of different birds will enjoy the oaks too, especially the zillions of caterpillars that will appear as bird moms and their offspring need lots of food. The brookies will also watch for any bugs falling into the stream.
We're happy to do a good deed for bird moms on Mother's Day weekend. I'll be thinking of my Mom as we plant those trees. Many planters will be bare handed and some will comment how great it is to get their hands dirty planting and caring for the trees. It's fishing season and some of my friends will bait worm after worm and not mind the growing residue of dirt on their hands.
Not me. I'll be wearing gloves while I plant and I'm always toweling off after putting bait on a hook. Mom is the reason. She wanted her boys healthy and washing hands was an important step in maintaining that health. Dirty hands were verboten in Mom's house.
Clean hands are a good habit I've kept. And I don't mind one bit. Tomorrow when I'm snacking on pork sticks and brownies after the trees are planted I won't miss the dirt that might have otherwise coated the brownies (and be tough to see).
Just the fact that I'm outside, planting and helping a stream, sparks more memories of and gratitude for my Mom. She was a thoroughly indoor person but she'd drive me to her Mom's house where I could be the plant doctor for my grandmother's beautiful garden of mums (amazing they survived my care). She always made time to take me fishing on nearby lakes. She and Dad watched me watch the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission broadcast every Friday night for years. My affection for the outdoors is a big part of who I am and that part wouldn't be there without Mom.
Female Mallard with her ducklings. Photo by Courtney Celley/USFWS
Many of you probably have similar memories of your Moms and can thank many of them for your love of Nature. And Moms are still doing that today, for which SoWBA is grateful. We're especially thankful for the Moms on our staff: Becky Abel, Brenna Masicek, and Carolyn Byers. Some of Mother Nature's most devoted friends and defenders are Moms and those three are among the best.
Happy Mother's Day,
Topf Wells, advocacy committee
