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Thursday, January 7, 2010

RePost of the Parks Foundation RFP/RFQ documents

This is a reposting of the December 18, 2009 post with new document links. Some prospective applicant vendors were unable to download the documents before the links expired.


The Iowa Parks Foundation issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) and a Request for Qualifications for two important projects. In both cases, IPF hosted pre-application meetings to describe the projects and answer questions from prospective vendors.
The first meeting presented the RFP for:
• Marketing Research Services

• Public Opinion & Research Services
• Audience Research, Development and Associated Services

The Board's intention is to select a consultant with experience and ability to provide the IPF with research and community engagement services that will refine and inform the foundation’s long range strategic planning efforts. The consultant will assist the foundation to acquire information from targeted groups and individuals as part of a key strategic goal to create an operationally sustainable organization and to advance the foundation’s mission.
You'll find the pre-application meeting files at these hotlinks:
Registration: https://rcpt.yousendit.com/799944264/46821601dcc583eaaefb261abfc1168c
Audio/Media Files: https://rcpt.yousendit.com/799981424/b5b0abbb94ae3954fc7e2339596e0ef3
Revised Schedule: https://rcpt.yousendit.com/799958480/9ecd5cef165cd921343f5090c7b39ee3
Revised RFP: https://rcpt.yousendit.com/799942700/2efa3a70d0a180babbec094ea63ad3aa
These files will be available for download thru January 13, 2009.





The second meeting described the RFQ for a Fundraising Consultant.
The principle function of the fundraising counsel will be to:
• Coach and assist the IPF to design and conduct an investment campaign intended to raise $150MM for a capital investment and IPF operations for the benefit of Iowa's parks before the state park system's centennial in 2020.
You'll find the pre-application meeting files for the fundraising project at:
Registration: https://rcpt.yousendit.com/799212310/3a5b884c4d91adc9623005e8aa099613
Audio/Media Files: https://rcpt.yousendit.com/799221240/f45b82557c5e03bdb83e0275bee41982
Revised Schedule: https://rcpt.yousendit.com/799195294/bd13356d3eab94b47e1cd801492cf8c4
Revised RFQ for Fundraising: https://rcpt.yousendit.com/799186152/0f5d2dcfa02193138e067e6a6dba1ba0
These files will also be available for download thru January 13, 2009.

Interested????
Contact Kent at iaparks@mchsi.com or call at 515-255-0776 if you have questions.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Play More in Iowa... Eagle Watching on the Mississippi River

January is a great month for Eagle Watches in Iowa.

Every year tens of thousands of people flock to the Mississippi River to take part in Bald Eagle Watches. They have come to catch a glimpse, perhaps for the first time, of our national symbol.

Up to 2,500 bald eagles winter along the Mississippi near the lock and dams. Turbulence created below the dams provide open water and a smorgasbord of stunned fish for eagles to feast upon. In addition, the wooded bluffs that overlook the Mississippi are excellent habitat for roosting and an increasing number of cases nesting.

Bald Eagle Watches occur throughout January and February, but eagles can be seen from mid December through early March. It all depends on the weather. As warm weather arrives, most eagles will begin their journey back north to northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Canada to prepare for the nesting season.

2010 Bald Eagle Watch Events


Quad Cities Bald Eagle Days
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, January 8-10
QCCA Expo Center, 2621 4th Avenue, Rock Island, Illinois
Hours: NEW 4:00p.m. - 8:00p.m. Friday, 10:00a.m.-7:00p.m. Saturday, 10:00a.m.-5:00p.m. Sunday

LeClaire Bald Eagle Watch
Saturday and Sunday, January 30-31, 2009
Outdoor viewing at Lock and Dam 14, Sat. 10:00 am - 1:00 pm; Sun. 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Indoor programs: Sat. at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, and 12:00 pm; Sun. at 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm & 3:00 pm
Indoor programs: Mississippi Valley Welcome Center
900 Eagle Ridge Road, LeClaire, IA (I-80 exit 306)
For more information, please call 563-322-3911 563-322-3911 x120
http://www.iowawelcomecenter.com

Bald Eagle Safaris
Get an up close view on a Bald Eagle Safari with Bob Motz. He provides spotting scopes that magnify 15 to 45 times and mount on the car window frame for good viewing of eagles in trees. You can see the yellow of their eye, the nostrils in the beak, and the black talons of their feet. Binoculars are also provided to see eagles in flight. The safaris make good birthday and anniversary gifts. Cost is $20 per hour for one to four people. Two or three-hour safaris are recommended. Call Bob at 309-788-8389 309-788-8389 or email him at eaglemotz@aol.com to arrage a safari.

Live Eagle & Bird of Prey Programs by
The World Bird Sanctuary
Special Attractions - Niabi Zoo
For more information contact the Mississippi River Visitor Center 309/794-5338 309/794-5338 or Arlynn Hartwig 309/788-2543 309/788-2543
Mississippi River Visitor Center - Eagle Watch / Clock Tower Tours
January 2-3 and January 16 - February 14, Weekends Only
Combination eagle watches and historical clock tower tours
Saturday and Sunday times are: 9:30, 11:00 and 1:00
Reservations required. Group size is limited. Call 309/794-5338 309/794-5338
Clinton Bald Eagle Watch
Saturday, January 9
Outdoor viewing: Lock & Dam 13, 8:30-3:30
Live Bird and Nature Programs:
Clinton Community College, 9:30-2:00
Exhibits:
Clinton Community College from 9:00 - 2:30
Free bus service from college to the outdoor viewing area.
For more information call: 815/259-3628 815/259-3628 .
Muscatine Bald Eagle Watch
Saturday, January 9
Outdoor viewing from 9:00 to 3:00 at Riverside Park & Lock and Dam 16
Live Eagle programs at 9:30 & 12:00 at the Riverview Center in Riverside Park
Eagle Dance performances at 11:00 and 2:00, Riverview Center
Conservation and environmental booths, Riverview Center
For more information call: 563/263-7913 563/263-7913
Dubuque Bald Eagle Watch
Saturday, January 23
Outdoor viewing at Lock and Dam 11 from 9:00–4:00
Live Eagle & Bird of Prey Programs by the
University of Minnesota Raptor Center at 9:30, 12:15 & 3:00
Indoor Exhibits from 9:00 - 4:30 at the
Grand River Center - Port of Dubuque
Trolley rides from Grand River Center to the National Mississippi River Museum and the outdoor viewing area.
For more information call: 563/556-4372 563/556-4372 or 563/582-0881 563/582-0881
Keokuk Bald Eagle Days
Saturday and Sunday, January 16 - 17
Indoor programs and Environmental Fair at the River City Mall, Keokuk, Iowa
Live Eagle Programs Saturday 9:00-3:00 and Sunday 10:00-3:00
Outdoor viewing along the River Front
For more information call: 1-800-383-1219