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Letter of Support: REAP Conservation Education GrantCity of Dubuque City Council CONSENT ITEMS # 12. Copyrighted March 2, 2026 ITEM TITLE: Letter of Support: REAP Conservation Education Grant SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council approval for the Parks and Recreation Department to provide a letter of support to Dubuque County Conservation in their grant proposal for REAP Conservation Education Grant. SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Approve DISPOSITION: ATTACHMENTS: 1. MVM Memo Letter of Support REAP Conservation Education Grant 2. Staff Memo MVM DCC REAP Conservation Education Grant Award Request 2- 2026 3. REAP CEP Letter of Support 4. Master Exhibit Plan_ Land & Legacy 02_10_2025 Page 238 of 939 THE CITY OF DUBE Masterpiece on the Mississippi TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager SUBJECT: Letter of Support: REAP Conservation Education Grant DATE: February 24, 2026 Dubuque AI WIN av 2007-2012.2013 2017*2019 Parks and Recreation Director Matthew Kalcevich is recommending City Council approval for the Parks and Recreation Department to provide a letter of support to Dubuque County Conservation in their grant proposal for REAP Conservation Education Grant. The letter does not require any financial commitment. This support would greatly strengthen the application and be a major step forward in making this project possible. I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council approval. Mic ael C. Van Milligen MCVM:sv Attachment cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager Matthew Kalcevich, Parks and Recreation Director Page 239 of 939 THE C DUUB___&__TE1 Masterpiece on the Mississippi TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager FROM: Matthew K. Kalcevich, Parks and Recreation Director SUBJECT: Letter of Support: REAP Conservation Education Grant DATE: February 24, 2026 INTRODUCTION Dubuque *Aneft City 2007-2012.2013 2017*2019 Dubuque County Conservation is seeking a letter of support from the City of Dubuque as part of their upcoming grant proposal for REAP Conservation Education Grant. DISCUSSION Dubuque County Conservation is applying for a REAP Conservation Education Program(CEP) Large Grant to support a new permanent interpretive exhibit at the EB Lyons Nature Center. The EB Lyons Nature Center welcomes tens of thousands of visitors annually, including thousands of students, families, and community members. This project, titled Land & Legacy: The Evolving Story of the Mines of Spain, will strengthen the educational and recreational value of this city -owned facility by providing inclusive, place -based interpretation that connects natural resources, cultural history, and conservation stewardship. A letter of support from the City of Dubuque Parks and Recreation Department would help demonstrate: • The City's continued commitment to stewardship of EB Lyons Nature Center. • The value of intergovernmental collaboration in delivering high -quality public programming. The role of the Nature Center as a key community and regional asset. The letter does not require any financial commitment. This support would greatly strengthen the application and be a major step forward in making this project possible. ACTION REQUESTED I respectfully request your approval for the Parks and Recreation Department to provide a letter of support to Dubuque County Conservation in their grant proposal for REAP Conservation Education Grant. Page 240 of 939 THE CITY OF DUrBQTE Masterpiece on the Mississippi To Whom It May Concern, Dubuque AA•Anerin ah I I I I I F 2007-2012-2013 2017*2019 Parks and Recreation Department 2200 Bunker Hill Road Dubuque, Iowa 52001-3010 Office (563) 589-4263 parkrec@cityofdubuque.org www.cityofdubuque.org On behalf of the City of Dubuque, I would like to offer our support for the proposed exhibit renovation project at the EB Lyons Nature Center, located within the Mines of Spain State Recreation Area. As the owner of the EB Lyons Nature Center facility, the City of Dubuque is proud to steward a building that serves as a gateway to one of Iowa's most historically and ecologically significant landscapes. The Nature Center welcomes thousands of visitors annually and functions as a cornerstone for environmental education, heritage interpretation, and community engagement in our region. The proposed "Land & Legacy" exhibit renovation represents a thoughtful and forward -looking investment in this public asset. The updated exhibit plan clearly demonstrates an intentional effort to create a cohesive, chronological narrative that connects the Woodland period, early settlement, mining and agricultural transformation, and modern conservation practices into a unified visitor experience. By strengthening the interpretive flow throughout the facility, this project will significantly enhance the educational impact and visitor engagement within the building. The City of Dubuque values its partnership with Dubuque County Conservation, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and the Friends of the Mines of Spain. This collaborative model of ownership and operation has allowed the EB Lyons Nature Center to serve as a regional hub for conservation, recreation, stewardship, and tourism. The proposed exhibit renovation will further strengthen the facility's role as a community anchor and educational destination. We strongly support this grant request and the continued evolution of the EB Lyons Nature Center as a vibrant, accessible, and historically grounded public space. in 1, I / 77 Matthew K. Kalcevich Parks and Recreation Director Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork Page 241 of 939 Master Exhibit Plan: Land & Legacy Why this Exhibit, and Why Now Every community has a relationship with the land beneath it. In the Upper Mississippi River Valley, that relationship is layered —shaped by millennia of Indigenous stewardship, centuries of settlement, decades of mineral extraction and industrial agriculture, and a growing movement to restore what was lost. Most of that story goes untold. Visitors arrive at the EB Lyons Visitor Center, walk through a gallery, and leave without understanding the prairie they're hiking was nearly erased, or why the river otters they're watching exist at all. The history that connects this landscape to the people who shaped it —and the people who are repairing it —lives in filing cabinets, in the memories of naturalists, and in artifacts that sit unseen in storage. Land & Legacy changes that. It takes the story out of storage and transforms it into an experience that everyone can enjoy. Visitors walk through time, touching the textures of each era, pulling open drawers, peering into mine shafts, and arriving at the present with a clear understanding: the land is not a backdrop. It belongs to all of us, it shapes who we are, and it is shaped by our choices in turn. EB Lyons and Dubuque County Conservation already have the artifacts, the taxidermy, and the expertise. What it needs is a framework that transforms those assets into a coherent, compelling visitor experience. That is what this plan provides. Page 242 of 939 Scale and Planning Assumptions • Total Gallery Size: Approximately 1,700 square feet • Activated Exhibit Area: Approximately 700-800 square feet • Delivery Model: Full custom design and fabrication, with strategic reuse of existing artifacts, taxidermy, and select exhibit elements provided by the EB Lyons • Phasing: The exhibit will be built in phases but is designed to feel cohesive and intentional from day one • Previously Funded Component: One exhibit component (Hunters for Conservation) has received prior grant funding and is included in the total project scope UPPER LEVEL PLAN SCALE: 1/8" = 1'-0" p AUDIfoRB1M b/ 205 OPEN STAIR TO A - BELOW All i - ELEV. GIFT N SHOP MAIN EXHIBIT COATS 203 AREA 210 ATRIUM II II 202 214 u \ 204 BIRO ZMECH:IJANITO- CATERING BSERVATION GE KITCHEN 200 / ROOM 206 ;F2 / CLOSE,f -�.. 212 Page 243 of 939 Budget Framework This is a planning -level budget. Final scope and pricing will be confirmed with sign -off from the naturalist team and project stakeholders. This framework will increase in detail and accuracy as the project moves through design development. Planning -Level Budget The total project value for the Land & Legacy exhibit is estimated at $110,000 to $135,000, depending on final interactive scope, material selections, and the extent to which existing infrastructure can be reintegrated into the updated exhibit. With $20,000—$25,000 in prior grant funding already secured for the Hunters for Conservation component, the additional funding needed is $85,000 to $110,000. This figure represents the full scope of exhibit design, fabrication, and installation across all four themes. What the Budget Includes This is a complete exhibit solution encompassing: • Interpretive planning, content development in collaboration with EB Lyons and Dubuque County Conservation, research, writing, and narrative design • Custom casework design and fabrication • Environmental and landscape installations • Graphic design, production, and installation • Interactive element design and fabrication (mechanical, tactile, analog, and limited digital) • Project management, coordination, and installation Page 244 of 939 What Affects the Range The budget is presented as a range because key variables are still being defined: • Existing Taxidermy: This budget accounts for the integration of the EB Lyons' existing taxidermy collection, which reduces fabrication scope and cost while increasing the exhibit's authenticity and local connection. Existing Infrastructure: The current budget has not yet accounted for the potential reuse of existing hard panels, walls, or casework that may be reintegrated into the updated exhibit. If viable elements are identified during design development, this could reduce the final project cost within or below the stated range. • Interactive Scope: The number, complexity, and material quality of hands-on interactives will be finalized in collaboration with the naturalist team. • Content Finalization: Final exhibit content, graphic panel count, and artifact selections will be confirmed with naturalist and EB Lyons sign -off. Enhanced Digital Tier (Optional) For exhibits seeking to incorporate simple digital interactives or basic AV elements —such as touchscreen kiosks, looping video content, or small projection mapping —an additional $20,000430,000 would be required. This tier would include reusing existing hardware, content production & updates, installation, and basic technical support planning. The current exhibit plan intentionally prioritizes analog and tactile interactives to maximize durability, minimize ongoing maintenance costs, and ensure accessibility. However, strategic digital elements can be integrated in future phases if desired and if funding allows. Additional Cost Factors • Custom Design -Build Model: A single studio handles design through fabrication, eliminating the markups and coordination overhead typical of multi -vendor exhibit projects. • Intentional Material Choices: The creative direction emphasizes clean casework and analog interactives over expensive AV systems, keeping long-term maintenance costs low. • Previously Funded Component: The Hunters for Conservation exhibit section has received prior grant funding and is included in the total project value. This display is not deducted from the budget; it is part of the cohesive whole. However, it does reduce additional funding needed by $20,000425,000 dollars. Page 245 of 939 Phased Funding The exhibit is designed to support phased implementation and incremental funding. Each theme functions as a self-contained interpretive unit while contributing to the larger narrative arc. This structure is well -suited for: • Sequential grant applications aligned to individual themes • Phased construction that maintains visitor experience quality at each stage • Partnership opportunities where specific themes align with funder priorities Billing & Payment Schedule To support continuous progress, NBD Design requests to invoice EB Lyons Visitor Center and Dubuque County Conservation on a bi-weekly basis for work completed. Invoices will reflect actual progress during each billing period, helping maintain steady project funding and avoid delays during design, fabrication, and phased installation. Page 246 of 939 Project Timeline Work proceeds in reverse chronological order, beginning with Theme IV: Restoring the Land, which already has grant funding in place. This strategy allows the first exhibit to be completed by late summer 2026, while maintaining momentum toward full exhibit completion by summer 2027, with January 2028 retained as a conservative contingency deadline. Each phase results in a complete, visitor -ready exhibit section. Overlapping design and fabrication reduces downtime, preserves design continuity, and ensures efficient use of funding as it is received. :: ® Theme IV Only Cnbral Path Zoom In Zoom Out . D sco ery & Alignment Concert Development D gn & Content Development . Fab«abon & Installation Task/Phase Auq Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Jan 26 26r 36r Iffy R6 26 36 36 2fi 36 26 37 27 37 37 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 28 Phase 1: Theme IV — Restoring the Land © tare summer 2026 0111ov11, a Alignment concept Deyelppmem Design & Content Development Faorication 8 Installation Orientation 8 Closeout Phase 2: Theme III — Workinq the Land Discovery & Concept Design Development Phase 3: Theme II — Frontiers & Foundations Discovery & Concept Design Dawlopment Fabrication &Installation Phase &: Theme I — Woodland Periotl Discovery & Concept Design Development Final Integration & Project Closeout anal Integration & Documentation Buffer Periotl IBufterl I- 111111111111111111111 1111111111111111111111 IIII111111 111111111111111111111 Summer 2021 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII1 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII1 111111111/ Mill" - Project Strategy Note naz gatronale. TM1emev ormzetl fnzl to align with eaistirq Hunters for Conzervarmn grant timeline. Subzeguent themes pr«eetlmreverse chronolPgical ortler BV 111. 111 iB ver apving Algrpaeh Desiq nany fapricatron phases overlap to accelerate aelrvery wF�le maintaining cohesive tlesign language across all eahibas. isnor Eaperlenea: Eacn pM1ase tlelivers a visitor -neatly eahiba section, ensuring no pnase reels partial or unlin�sM1etl. after Periotl. 1a112021 serves as buffer I — I g reporting, final atll-1-1ts, or unforeseen delays, with January 2028 as conservative backstop Page 247 of 939 Thematic Breakdown The exhibit is organized into four themes, presented chronologically. Each theme occupies a defined section of the gallery and is designed to stand on its own while building toward the exhibit's core message. (1000 BCE-1750) Theme I: Woodland Period - Living with the Land Goal: To show that humans are part of the ecosystem, not separate from it. Interpretive Message: Indigenous peoples were the first stewards of this land, interacting with ecosystems through knowledge, respect, and long-term relationships. Narrative Arc • The Hook: Original landscape and wildlife: hilltop prairies, oak savannas, and abundant biodiversity. • The Work: Seasonal movement, hunting/gathering, and the use of fire to maintain the land. • The Local Link: Land recognition of historically connected Tribal Nations (Meskwaki, Ho -Chunk, Dakota, loway, Otoe-Missouria). Exhibit Elements Category Element Description Visuals & Content Illustrations of natural areas; Maps of historical walking routes. Diorama Wikiup miniature village. Oak tree, prairie plants, wall graphics, taxidermy items. Artifacts Casework display; Heavy focus on taxidermy in this section. Mechanicals Artifact drawers (archaeological fossils); Pop -quiz on daily life in the Woodland Period. Core Interactive Tactile Station: 3D printed tools and an interactive food web. Page 248 of 939 Visitor Takeaway People didn't just live on this land —they were part of it. Stewardship is not a modern invention. (1750-1900) Theme II: Frontiers & Foundations - Changing the Land Goal: Illustrate the shift from land as a relationship to land as a commodity for extraction and profit. Interpretive Message: European colonization marked a fundamental shift in land value and use. Narrative Arc • The Hook: Arrival of settlers and the introduction of private land ownership. • The Work: The Lead Mining Hotspot: Why the Upper Mississippi Valley was targeted and the physical changes (pits, tunnels) left behind. • The Local Link: Julien Dubuque's role, his relationship with the Meskwaki, and the forced relocation of indigenous peoples around 1845. Exhibit Elements Category Element Description Visuals & Content "Then & Now" photos; Photo albums for visitors to flip through. Diorama Junkermann house items. Artifacts Pegboard/Casework: Manual mining, surveying, and extraction equipment. Mechanicals Drawer Reveals: Quartz, lead, limestone; Density comparison activity. Core Interactive The Peep -hole: View of men working a mine -shaft (Image or video). Page 249 of 939 Visitor Takeaway The land didn't change on its own. Decisions were made —and those decisions had consequences that are still visible today. (1900-1975) Theme III: Working the Land - From Mines to Farms Goal: Highlight how industrial and agricultural land use further reshaped ecosystems. Interpretive Message: Land exploitation continued in new forms, prioritizing economic productivity over ecological health. Narrative Arc • The Hook: The shift from mining to farming and the widespread logging of forests. • The Work: Landscape transformation: Converting oak savanna/prairies to row -crops, soil erosion, and altered waterways. • The Local Link: Habitat loss and fragmentation leading to the decline of native species. Exhibit Elements Category Element Description Visuals & Content Murals depicting the shift from forests to agricultural fields. Artifacts Industrial farming and logging tools. Mechanicals Reveals: Early 1900s crop seeds and food preservation implements. Pop Quiz "Where do our resources go?" (Farming specific). Core Interactive Layered Landscape Map: Visualizing physical changes over time. Page 250 of 939 Visitor Takeaway Feeding a nation came at a cost. The land kept giving, but nobody kept track of what was being lost along the way. (1975—Today) Theme IV: Restoring the Land - Repairing Relationships Goal: Connect past actions to present responsibility and future stewardship. Interpretive Message: Conservation is an ongoing response to historic land -use decisions. Everyone has a role to play. Sub -Exhibit A: Hunters for Conservation • Message: The role of hunters in balancing wildlife population density; and funding via the Pittman -Robertson Act. • Interactive: "Funding Flow" Graphic (License sales/Excise taxes — Wildlife Restoration). • Artifact: Biologist field desk replica (binoculars, seed drawers, etc.). • Success Stories: Recovery of Deer, Turkey, Trumpeter Swan, and River Otter habitats and populations. Sub -Exhibit B: Modern Restoration & Stewardship • Current Management: Showcasing work at the Mines of Spain (controlled burns, invasive species management). • Call to Action: Volunteering, citizen science, and responsible recreation. Exhibit Elements Category Element Description Visuals & Content OR codes for audio/video stories of restoration. Page 251 of 939 Artifacts Large tree cross-section (Dendrochronology). Mechanicals Native vs. Invasive plant ID; Take-home materials on wilderness ethics. Core Interactive Adventure Map: Local activity map and event calendar. Visitor Takeaway The story isn't over. What happens next depends on what we choose to do —and there are real, specific things we can do right here on our local public lands. Page 252 of 939 Closing Notes This is a Living Document This project overview is a high-level budget and exhibit framework. It will continue to increase in detail, budget accuracy, and visual examples in the coming weeks as the design development process moves forward. Final scope and pricing require sign -off from the naturalist team. Scalability Land & Legacy is designed as a foundation, not a finished product. Each theme section can be enhanced, expanded, or updated over time as new artifacts become available, new stories emerge, or additional funding is secured. The modular structure supports long-term exhibit evolution without requiring a full redesign. Phased Implementation The four -theme structure naturally supports phased construction. Themes can be funded and installed individually or in pairs, with each phase delivering a complete, visitor -ready experience that does not impede on existing exhibits in the meantime. The exhibit pathway is designed so that partial installation does not feel incomplete —each phase adds to the whole without leaving visible gaps. Project Fit This exhibit plan is calibrated for a community -level interpretive center. The budget, scope, and delivery model reflect the reality that EB Lyons is working with: where resources are limited but the commitment to quality interpretation is not. The plan is designed to be fundable through standard grant channels, reviewable by boards and municipal partners, and buildable by a focused design -build studio. Next Steps • Finalize theme -level content and artifact inventory with naturalist team • Assess existing infrastructure (panels, walls, casework) for potential reuse • Develop schematic design drawings and spatial layout • Refine budget based on final scope decisions • Confirm phasing sequence and funding timeline • Begin detailed design development for Phase 1 Page 253 of 939