(Left-Right)  Camp Courageous Volunteer Project Coordinator, Jeff Pitlik, is standing with Daniel Gibbins, Deputy Director, Linn County Conservation as they take a closer look at the land surrounding the Francis & Jean Pitlik Nature Observatory area, which sits high on a hill overlooking a vast area of primitive forest, limestone outcroppings, and a huge variety of birds and animals.  Right in the picture will be a structure that will be floor to ceiling windows that will overlook this beautiful area.   Behind Daniel and Jeff a water source was created for birds and animals that will be surrounded by trees, bushes, and other vegetation that bear food that will continue to draw a wide variety of animals and birds to the area.  Daniel and Camp Courageous has been working oin conjunction with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), Greg Schmitt, in particular, in regard to the development of this nature area.  Camp Courageous is very fortunate to have the knowledge and talents of Daniel Gibbins, representing Clark McLeod and the Monarch Research Project (MRP), Daniel is also Deputy Director of Linn County Conservation and a professional arborist.  Camp Courageous has worked for several years with Daniel, and he has been ‘extremely impressed’ with the projects that have been done.  MRP is assisting Camp in a planned forestation of the Camp’s property, not just a plan, they have agreed to assist Camp with the regular planting of some exceptional trees for the near future!  Camp Courageous, which was built on a pine tree plantation, loves trees, and this will go a long way toward the strategic planting of trees to help with beautification, wind breaks, shade, erosion control, creating a sound buffer, and so much more.  Camp is very excited about this continued relationship going forward!