NAI Region 5 Awards Nomination for Fiends of the Mines of SpainMasterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: 2011 NAI Region 5 Awards Nomination for Friends of the Mines of Spain
DATE: December 27, 2010
Planning Services Manager Laura Carstens requests City Council
support for the 2011 National Association of Interpreters Region 5
for the Friends of the Mines of Spain for Excellence in Interpretive
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor
approval.
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney •
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
Michael C. Van Milligen
Dubuque
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2007
approval of a letter of
Awards Nomination
Support.
and City Council
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
DATE:
Dubuque
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2007
Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager - /
2011 NAI Region 5 Awards Nomination for Friends of the Mines of Spain
December 20, 2010
Wayne Buchholtz, Park Ranger at the Mines of Spain State Recreation Area, plans to
submit a 2011 National Association of interpreters (NAI) Region 5 Awards Nomination
for Excellence in Interpretive Support. This nomination is for the updated interpretive
facilities undertaken by the Friends of the Mines of Spain at the expanded E.B. Lyons
Interpretive Center and in the Mines of Spain State Recreation Area.
The NAI Region 5 awards program recognizes outstanding achievements of NAI
members and others working to advance the profession of interpretation. The 2011 NAI
Region 5 Awards Nomination for Friends of the Mines of Spain is enclosed.
Wayne Buchholtz has requested a letter of support from the City of Dubuque for this
nomination. Enclosed is a letter of support to be signed by Mayor Buol.
I recommend that the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign the enclosed letter of
support for the 2011 NAI Region 5 Awards Nomination for the Friends of the Mines of
Spain, for Excellence in Interpretive Support.
Enclosures
cc: Wayne Buchholtz, Park Ranger
Douglas Olk, MD, President, Friends of the Mines of Spain
F: \USERS \LCARSTEN \WP\Mines of Spain \NAI Region 5 Award\NAI Award Memo to MVM.doc
• •
2011 NAI Region 5 Awards
REGION 5 Nominations must be received by Monday, January 31, 2011.
HEARTLAND
The Region 5 awards program recognizes outstanding achievements of NAI members and others
working to advance the profession of interpretation. As a member of NAI, you are familiar with
outstanding and inspiring programs and professionals from Region 5. Please nominate someone you
know who, through his or her actions exemplifies our profession. Awards will be presented at the
2011 Region 5 Workshop in Manitoba. The Region 5 Board may nominate recipients of these awards
for National Awards.
Please complete the Nomination Form below and attach all of the appropriate nomination support
material. Any questions regarding the nomination process may be directed to Jeff Boland, Region 5
Awards chair at (507) 467 -2437 or Jeff.Boland@eagle - bluff.org
Nominee:
Name Douglas Olk, M.D. Title President
Agency /Organization Fri ends of the Mines of Spain
Address 8991 Bellevue Heights City Dubuque St IA Zip 52003
Phone (day) 563 - 1354 (cell )
Award Category Excellence in Interpretive Support
Nominated Bv:
Name Wayne Buchholtz
Address
Use a separate form for each person /category.
Return completed forms to:
Jeff Boland
Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center
28097 Goodview Drive
Lanesboro, MN 53949
2011 NAI Region 5 Awards Nomination Form
Agency /Organization Mines of Spain State Recreation Area
8991 Bellevue Heights
Phone (day) 563 556 - 0620
Email Wayne.Buchholtz @dnr.iowa.gov
(evening) 563 - 8188
City Dubuque
Title Park Ranger
St I A Zip 52003
(evening) 563- 599 -8475 (cel l)
REGION 5
HEARTLAND
2011 NAI Region 5 Awards Nomination for Friends of the Mines of Spain
E.B. LYONS INTERPRETIVE CENTER: EXPANSION & INTERPRETATION
Introduction
Thanks to excellence in interpretive support by the Friends of the Mines of Spain (FOMOS), the
E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center at the Mines of Spain State Recreation Area now welcomes visitors
to one of the region's best - conserved natural and cultural resources, where people can explore the
history and natural riches of the park. The updated exhibits at the Interpretive Center invite visitors
to discover the history, geology, and ecology of the park and region, and prepare the visitor for
forays onto the many trails and interpretive sites throughout the Mines of Spain.
Background
The E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center, built in 1976, serves as a visitor information center and park
office for the Mines of Spain. The Mines of Spain State Recreation Area is a significant resource for
the Dubuque area. The park is a National Historic Landmark and a state preserve. It boasts 252
archeological sites of farming, Native Americans and lead mining
The FOMOS is a non - profit corporation organized in 1995 to inform and educate the public on
nature, ecology, conservation, greenbelt concept, natural history, archeology, and current events
pertaining to the Mines of Spain. The FOMOS is a major supporter of the Mines of Spain
Recreation Area. Their support comes in a variety of ways and helps in providing materials,
financial support and assistance throughout the year.
The Friends annually contributes to small projects throughout the park, including trail construction,
bench construction, sidewalks, table repairs, foot bridge construction, enhancements to historical
sites, small equipment and miscellaneous materials for small projects and repairs.
The FOMOS provides and solicits volunteers for numerous projects and tasks every year. The
volunteers provided assistance as greeters at the center, providing programs, gardening, trail
maintenance and construction, bridge construction, painting, mowing, savanna and prairie
renovations, exhibit and display construction, and more.
Demand for Interpretation
Hundreds of programs for school aged children, youth groups and families are held at Interpretive
Center each year with thousands attending. Many regional school age children and college students
attend one or more programs there each year. In 2008 -2010 the park had attendance numbers of
250,000 people visiting annually. There were 50,000 in attendance in the Interpretive Center alone
in 2008 and 2009.
Demand continued to increase over the years for more programs and services. Continued success
and growth in visitation, interpretation and education were significantly inhibited by space
limitations of the original center. Groups and functions were turned away because of limited space.
Also, popular programs were being limited in their size and scope. Valuable learning opportunities
for current and potential visitors were being missed.
More space was needed at the Interpretive Center. In response, the FOMOS planned and
coordinated an expansion that updated and more than doubled the original space for educational
purposes. The FOMOS raised private, local, state and federal funds for the expansion and education
project. They raised $1,575,569 -- $98,575 over the cost estimate of $1,476,994 for the expansion.
Construction began in September 2009, and was completed a year later.
1
2011 NAI Region 5 Awards Nomination for Friends of the Mines of Spain
E.B. LYONS INTERPRETIVE CENTER: EXPANSION & INTERPRETATION
In 2008, 957 volunteers contributed 2,916.50 hours of labor. Seventeen people each volunteered
200 or more hours. In 2008, before the expansion, the Friends assisted in developing and providing
435 programs that had 28,899 persons attending. These programs included Winter Sunday
Programs, Nature Day for Kids, Summer Sunday Programs, School Field Trips, Hikes, Roving
Interpretation and other programming. Program topics included prairies, forests, wetlands, rivers
and creeks, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, birds, Native Americans, lead mining, farming and
agriculture and more. We expect these numbers to grow with the Center's expansion.
Updated Interpretive Center Facilities
The FOMOS established an Interpretive and Education program to increase visitation, enhance
interpretation, expand educational opportunities, and build partnerships at this National Historic
Landmark, in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Archeology and Historic
Preservation. The Program's primary objectives: update and expand interpretive and educational
exhibits; create new exhibits to explore the science, culture, and history of the region; and tell the
Mines of Spain story through: curriculum studies, workshops, seminars, publications, educational
materials, indoor and outdoor exhibits, signs, audio - visual materials, and an enhanced website.
The Interpretive Center expansion included: an auditorium for programs, special events and
meetings; a biology lab and classroom for visitors and school programs ranging K -12; creation of
new exhibits and displays for visitors to explore the science and history of the region; a
library /reference room to house field identification books, historic documents, DVDs, videos, and
reference materials; a welcome area and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant
restrooms; an outdoor courtyard; a new well /septic system; and an additional parking lot.
The Friends also raised an additional $325,000 for enhanced exhibits and education educational
programming. The Interpretive Center has displays on the park's historic farm site, archeology, prairies,
woodlands, wetlands, lead mining, Native Americans, and wildlife of the park on both the upper and lower
levels.
1.
Floor Plan for Exhibits and Educational Programs
New Addition
Auditorium Space
with Kitchen Area
for Programs,
Events, and
Changing Exhibits
MAIN LEVEL
Primary
Location
For
Exhibits
1
2
New Addition
Biology Lab
Reference Library
Archives
Birding
Room
Children's
Area
2011 NAI Region 5 Awards Nomination for Friends of the Mines of Spain
E.B. LYONS INTERPRETIVE CENTER: EXPANSION & INTERPRETATION
On the upper level, the exhibit for the Otto Junkermann Family Farm, a main attraction at the Mines
of Spain, focuses on the 1850's farm site, his family, and how the land has changed from tall grass
prairie to what it is like today. The Meskwaki exhibit provides interpretation of the Meskwaki
people and their relationship to the Mines of Spain. The exhibit includes a three- dimensional wikiup
model and introduces the history of Native homelands in Iowa and the region. A three- dimensional
exhibit about Julien Dubuque and the lead rush, replicates the historic monument in the Mines of
Spain, to provide a year - round, ADA- accessible exhibit to tell the story of Dubuque's arrival,
interaction with Meskwaki, lead mining, etc.
The lower level exhibits especially appeal to young (and young at heart) visitors who are eager to
explore unique features of the Mines of Spain and come face to face with some of the creatures that
live there. A series of interactive displays using listen - and -learn oral histories, interpretive panels, a
historic lead mine map, lead and other mineral samples, and a crawl -thru mine in the children's area
tell the importance of lead in the Mines of Spain, the region, and the country. Large aquariums and
terrariums offer young visitors to see the fish, turtles, snakes, and amphibians found in the park —up
close and personal. Hands -on exhibits, motion - activated bird songs, flip doors, viewing scopes, and
tree trunk tunnels also encourage youngsters to learn about the park's environment.
Updated Park Interpretive Facilities
The FOMOS also raised funds for major improvement projects in the Park. The historic Julien
Dubuque Monument was tuckpointed, and new benches, fence, and interpretive signs on Julien
Dubuque and Native Americans were installed. The Friends assisted with the construction of grape
arbors and planting of plans at the Otto Junkermann Farm site, and the addition of an audio recorder
to the relief map in the Interpretive Center's new welcome area. New interpretive signs near the
Center on the Junkermann Farm, lead mining/geology, mines shaft, pit mining, natural resources,
and "green" building practices during construction of the expanded Center were made possible by
the FOMOS.
Interpretive Program Outcomes
With expansion and renovation of the Center, many more visitors can be served and new programs
implemented. The Center's expansion enables individuals, school groups, tour groups, and people
of all ages to enjoy and explore the park's prehistoric, historic, cultural and natural features while
instilling appreciation for preservation of these historic and archeological resources and cultural
assets. By achieving the primary objectives of the Interpretive Program, the outcomes are:
• updated and expanded interpretive and educational exhibits, displays, facilities and
materials;
• creation of new exhibits and displays for visitors to explore the science, culture and history
of the region;
• telling the story of the Mines of Spain in a variety of accessible formats: curriculum -based
field studies for school groups, workshops, seminars, publications (brochures, tour guides,
maps), educational materials, indoor and outdoor exhibits, signs, audio -visual materials, and
an enhanced website;
• a library stocked with field identification books, historic documents, DVDs, videos, and
other reference materials;
• attracting and serving more visitors from the community, tri -state area, the Midwest, the
nation, and the world;
3
2011 NAI Region 5 Awards Nomination for Friends of the Mines of Spain
E.B. LYONS INTERPRETIVE CENTER: EXPANSION & INTERPRETATION
• increasing awareness, appreciation, and stewardship of the park's historic, cultural and
natural resources; and
• fostering alliances and collaboration with public agencies, private organizations, and other
key stakeholders.
Interpretive Partnerships
The FOMOS hired an award - winning exhibit designer, Experience Design, because of their
innovative, creative exhibit designs and the depth of their experience with multi -media and three -
dimensional interpretation of history, culture, and the natural environment in a variety of museums
throughout the country. This firm demonstrated a "can-do" and enthusiastic attitude to work within
the aggressive project schedule and limited budget to tell the unique and complex story of the Mines
of Spain. Experience Design and their fabrication subcontractor, Hadley Exhibits of Buffalo, NY,
have worked together on similar projects, and both incorporate sustainable design in their work.
Through their efforts to update interpretive facilities to tell the story of the Mines of Spain, the
FOMOS formed an interagency Exhibit and Education Committee to collaborate with the City of
Dubuque Historic Preservation Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office of the State
Historical Society of Iowa, the Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi, the National Park Service, and
the Dubuque Community School District to develop exhibits and educational materials.
The FOMOS currently partners with many organizations and institutions that promote better health,
recreation, and education in the tri -state area. The expansion of the Interpretive Center builds on
these partnerships to enhance education about and protection of the natural, cultural, historic, and
archeological resources at the Mines of Spain. A new marketing plan will reach over an estimated
1.8 million viewers through print ads and over 300,000 online viewers.
Conclusion
The FOMOS truly meet the criteria of the Excellence in Interpretive Support award. This non - profit
organization has shown recognition of the value of interpretation through exceptional and sustained
support. This support has been a combination of broad -based financial, administrative, and
executive commitment, and serves as a respected model for other interpretive venues and
contributors. Recognition is deserved for the FOMOS sponsorship of and support for interpretive
programs and enhancement of interpretive facilities at the E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center and the
Mines of Spain.
E B. Lyons interpretive Center; DIGITAL RENDERING
4
Office of the Mayor
City Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001 -4864
(563) 589 -4120 office
(563) 589-40890 fax
rdbuol @cityofdubuque.org
Jeff Boland
Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center
28097 Goodview Drive
Lanesboro, MN 53949
Dear Mr. Boland:
Sincere
Y S
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
City of Dubuque
THE CITY OF
Dui
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Dubuque
E ;,
1 111
2007
January 3, 2011
SUBJECT: 2011 NAI Region 5 Awards Nomination for Friends of the Mines of Spain
On behalf of the City of Dubuque, I am pleased to provide this letter of support for the
2011 NAI Region 5 Awards Nomination for Excellence in Interpretive Support. This
nomination is for the updated interpretive facilities undertaken by the Friends of the
Mines of Spain (FOMOS) at the expanded E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center and in the
Mines of Spain State Recreation Area.
More space was needed at the Interpretive Center for educational and interpretive
programs. In response, the FOMOS planned and coordinated an expansion that
updated and more than doubled the original space for educational purposes. The
FOMOS raised private, local, state and federal funds for the expansion and education
project. They raised $1,575,569 -- $98,575 over the cost estimate of $1,476,994 for the
expansion. Construction began in September 2009, and was completed a year later.
The FOMOS also raised $325,000 in private, local, state and federal funds for
enhanced exhibits and educational programming at the Mines of Spain. The E.B. Lyons
Interpretive Center now has displays on the park's historic farm site, archeology,
prairies, woodlands, wetlands, lead mining, Native Americans, and wildlife of the park.
Additional interpretive signs were installed in the park as well.
We hope you agree that the FOMOS has shown Excellence in Interpretive Support
through their efforts to update interpretive facilities to tell the story of the Mines of Spain
-- an important cultural, historical, and natural resource for our city, state', and nation.
Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork