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Mahaska County Conservation EventsStewards of the Beautiful LandMahaska County Secondary Roads Office
Learn how to beautify and enhance parks, community entryways, roadsides, schools, backyards or farms by planting native grasses, wildflowers, trees and shrubs. Participants will plant a prairie area and butterfly garden. Four classes will be held on Tuesdays from 6-9 pm May 13, June 10, July 8, and August 12 You may register on-line at www.treesforever.org or by phone at 1-800-369-1269 The deadline for registration is May 15th Iowa Prairie Network - Hawthorn HikesHawthorn Lake
Join the Iowa Prairie Network for prairie hikes at Hawthorn Wildlife Management Area, every 3rd Thursday from May through September. While Hawthorn Lake may be well known for its fishing, the land surrounding the lake holds some of the best native prairie remnants in the area. Come check out what’s blooming each month! Meet at 6:30 pm at the boat ramp parking area on the east side of the lake. For more information contact Pam White at 641-673-3508.
River Clean UpDes Moines River
Join the Mahaska County Izaak Walton League for a day of hands–on conservation. We’ll meet at the MCCB’s Eveland Access on the Des Moines River and take boats up and down the river to pick up trash. Wear old clothes and work gloves. Bring your boat if you can! For more information, contact Bill Binns at 672-1965. This event is for adults and kids over 10. Kid’s Fishing DerbyRussell Wildlife Area
Catch the big one and win a prize at the Russell Wildlife ponds. Bring your own pole or borrow one from the MCCB. Be sure to register in the nature center before heading down to the ponds. There will be prizes for everyone who enters! All ages welcome.
Ike’s Conservation Club: Frog HuntingOskaloosa Elementary School
The elementary school pond is full of bullfrogs, leopard frogs and American toads. Join the MCCB Naturalist for a wet and muddy after school adventure. Wear your mud boots or old shoes to catch some of these slimy critters. We may even capture salamander larvae and turtles! Bring your own net or borrow one of ours. Meet in the school cafeteria. This program is for children ages 5-12. Sand Dune Snake HuntEddyville Dunes Sand Prairie
Join us at the Eddyville Dunes to explore one of Iowa’s most incredible areas of reptile diversity. Will comb the sandy hills and wetlands in search of bullsnakes, blue racers, hognose snakes, prairie ring-necked snakes and more! Meet at the north parking area - it's just off of the new on-ramp to Hwy 163 on the north side of Eddyville. Campfire Program: Turtle TrappingEveland Access Campground
Join us ‘round the campfire for tales of turtle trapping. Come learn why the Des Moines River’s largest reptile is also the fiercest, easiest to catch, and best tasting! River Raiders Canoe ExpeditionDes Moines River — Red Rock to Eveland Access
For kids age 12 and up 10:00 a.m. June 24 to 2:00 p.m. June 25 Join the MCCB for an expedition on the Des MoinesRiver. We’ll be on the river for 2 days, paddling from Red Rock Dam to Eveland Access Campground. We’ll camp under the stars, fish in the river and hike the canyons of Cedar Bluffs State Preserve. We may find fossils or spot eagle nests along the way. Canoes, paddles, lifejackets, transportation and meals will be provided. Participants must have completed MCCB Canoe Camp or equivalent. Cost $25. Space is limited, so register early by calling 641-673-9327. Pit Vipers in PerilEveland Access Campground
Bring the whole famliy and join us 'round the campfire. Nick Blay, founder of the Iowa Pit Viper Coalition will bring his live rattlesnakes and other serpents for an entertaining and informative talk on reptile conservation. This event is for all ages. Jr. Naturalists Camp
For kids age 8 - 12 10:00 am to 1:00 pm June 30 @ White Oak July 1 @ Cedar Bluffs Join the MCCB Naturalist for two days of exploration as we learn all about the natural history of Mahaska County. We’ll be collecting specimens of insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds as part of our study. Bring a sack lunch and wear shoes and pants for hiking on and off the trails. Cost: $5.00. Young Pioneers CampNelson Pioneer Farm
For kids age 5 - 12 July 17 and 18 Experience life in the 1800’s. We’ll see how pioneer kids lived by spending time in the cabin, barn, one room school house and town buildings. Participants will be able to try their hands at candle dipping, soap making, blacksmithing, goat milking, churning butter, preparing 19th century meals and much more! Bring a sack lunch. Cost: $10 Register by calling the MCCB at 641-673-9327. Wild Aquatics Camp
For kids ages 10 and up July 28 @ Russell Wildlife July 29 @ Russell Wildlife July 30 @ Lake Keomah July 31 @ Lake Keomah Join us this summer for a wild water adventure. We’ll spend four days fishing, canoeing and swimming. Kids will learn about boat safety, fish ecology, duck banding, and river trapping from experts in the field. Bring a sack lunch. We’ll have a fish fry on Day 4. Cost: $20. Register by calling the MCCB at 641-673-9327. Youth Conservation CampRussell Wildlife Area
For kids ages 8 and up August 12—Forestry August 13— Water Quality August 14—Recycling August 15—Wildlife Restoration Get a behind the scenes look at the job of a conservationist. Throughout the week we’ll meet with several experts in various conservation fields working at the county, state and federal levels, including wildlife biologists, foresters, park rangers, naturalists, and more. Each day we’ll travel to different areas to work at hands- on projects to help make our environment a little bit better. Bring a sack lunch. Cost: $20. Register by calling the MCCB at 641-673-9327. |
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