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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 hitti r AP- America City 1 2007 approval of a letter of Awards Nomination Support. and City Council Masterpiece on the Mississippi TO: FROM: SUBJECT: DATE: Dubuque bitti AH4merIcacfty 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