Conservator - November, 2021 |
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Winter may be coming, but your beautiful county parks remain open for fun outdoor recreation, education and more. Bundle up and join us by attending an event, getting out for a hike or renting a cabin for a cozy weekend getaway.
Thank you for supporting Pottawattamie Conservation!
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Bison Fest is this Saturday, November 6th!
*Free with park admission or an annual pass.
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In honor of National Bison Day, come visit our bison herd out at Botna Bend Park and learn more about this magnificent species and the conservation efforts that help preserve them.
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When: Saturday, November 6th | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
What:
- Live bison herd
- Story teller
- Atlatl throwing
- Hay rack rides
- Crafts
- Local food
- And more!
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Special thanks to Feed Trough for providing bison chili, soup, fries and funnel cakes - all for a recommended free will donation. Please make sure you bring a few extra dollars (cash) to thank them for their generosity and support local business!
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Hitchcock Construction is Complete!
Parking & Road Expansions at Hitchcock Nature Center Provide A Safer, More Efficient Visitor Experience
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Take a peek at this "before" and "after" video to see parking and road updates we've made to improve your experience and protect the park's rare Loess soil and ecosystems. |
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There are 40 total new parking spaces near the Moonseed and Boardwalk trailheads and expanded overflow lot, as well as ADA-compliant parking near the Loess Hills Lodge.
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Roads are widened in several areas for safer two-way travel.
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The widened main park entrance now allows for two-way travel in and out of the park.
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There are now two main entrance lanes and a total of four entrance fee pay stations.
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Park improvements were made possible with generous support from: Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors, Iowa West Foundation, Peter Kiewit Foundation, CMET Excavating and Concrete Cutting and several others. A complete list of project supporters can be found here.
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Make Your 2022 Reservations! |
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Facility reservations for next year are officially open.
Book your favorite Pottawattamie Conservation cabin, shelter, lodge or meeting room for dates in 2022 before it's gone.
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Thistle Busting with Natural Areas Management |
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If there's noxious weeds, and it don't look good, who you gonna call? Thistle busters!
Learn more about how our Natural Areas Management team treats noxious weeds across Pottawattamie County (and looks cool doing it!)
Questions about Pottawattamie County land management? Send us a note by replying to this email.
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Prescribed Fire Season is Here |
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Prescribed fire may be occurring in any Pottawattamie Conservation park or habitat area this month. This may impact air quality and visibility.
Please check park pages for updates.
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Park Access During Winter Months
Please read if you plan on visiting or camping with us this winter.
Updates are also posted in the "Attention" box on every park's webpage.
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Park remains open for recreation.
Campgrounds remain open, but water will be turned off once freezing temperatures are consistent. Self-contained units may utilize campgrounds after this point. The shower house is now closed for the season. Cabins are available year-round. Call the camp office at (712) 485-2295 if you need more information.
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Park remains open for recreation.
Campgrounds remain open, but the south campground water hydrants, river access hydrant and shower tower and north campground restroom are closed for the season through winter. Everything else will remain on and open until further notice. Self-contained units may utilize the south and north campgrounds.
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Park remains open for recreation and the Loess Hills Lodge restrooms are available year-round during park hours.
Campgrounds remain open, but water will be turned off and the shower house will close once freezing temperatures are consistent - likely in mid-November. Self-contained units may utilize campgrounds after this point. Cabins are available year-round, but water may be turned off. Call the park office at 712-545-5833 if you need water during your cabin reservation. The restroom south of the main park entrance is now closed for the season.
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Officially closed for winter as of November 1st. Narrows will reopen in April 2022. We'll see you then for archery, river views and more!
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Park remains open for recreation.
Restrooms are not available over winter. Water will be turned off once freezing temperatures are consistent.
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Giving Tuesday is November 30th
#GivingTuesday712 | #GivingTuesday402
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Make a gift November 1st-30th and it will be *matched 20%!
*You must use donation code PCCF20 at checkout.
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That means your gift to the Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation will go further to protect natural areas and provide low-impact recreation opportunities for residents.
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Eligible gifts for the 20% match can be made to select Southwest Iowa nonprofits between November 1-30, 2021 using donation code PCCF20 at SHAREomaha.org.
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Little Tike Hike - November
November 6 to November 15| Hitchcock Nature Center: Learn More
November 6 to November 30 | Botna Bend Park: Learn More
6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Free With Park Admission | Ages 3 to 5
Young learners will experience nature first-hand during this self-guided hike full of fun.
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Online | Part of "A Land Ethic Workshop" Series
Saturday, November 6
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
$15 per person | Ages 14+
Enjoy a full morning of online instruction & learning with celebrated educator Ron Cisar where you will learn about the process of nature's annual decomposition and organisms responsible for breaking down organic matter, practice nature journaling and read and discuss Aldo Leopold's essay "Odyssey" & "A Mighty Fortress"...Event Information
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Botna Bend Park
Saturday, November 6
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Free w/ park entry | All Ages
In honor of National Bison Day, come visit our bison herd out at Botna Bend Park and learn more about this magnificent species and the conservation efforts that help preserve them...Event Information
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Hitchcock Nature Center
Thursday, December 2
3:00pm
Free | Ages 12 + preferred
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Explore the Loess Hills & the birds that make their home there. This is a free program conducted by Kelly McKay with the BioEco Research and Monitoring Center with assistance from Mark Roberts from Clinton County Conservation and Brian Ritter with Nahant Marsh Education Center. Funding for this program is provided by the Resource Enhancement and Protection-Conservation Education Program. Event Information
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Hitchcock Nature Center
Thursday, December 2
4:30pm
Free | Ages 12 + preferred
Join us for this Owl Prowl guided night hike & learn about owl species as you listen for their distinctive calls. This is a free program conducted by Kelly McKay with the BioEco Research and Monitoring Center with assistance from Mark Roberts from Clinton County Conservation and Brian Ritter with Nahant Marsh Education Center. Funding for this program is provided by the Resource Enhancement and Protection-Conservation Education Program. Event Information
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Hitchcock Nature Center
Thursday, December 2
6:30pm
Free | Ages 12 + preferred
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Learn about the Christmas Bird Count Program! This presentation will describe the successful completion of the first CBC Marathon by discussing each individual count and highlighting noteworthy birds identified. Information on local CBC compilers will be available if people are interested in participating. This is a free program conducted by Kelly McKay with the BioEco Research and Monitoring Center with assistance from Mark Roberts from Clinton County Conservation and Brian Ritter with Nahant Marsh Education Center. Funding for this program is provided by the Resource Enhancement and Protection-Conservation Education Program. Event Information
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Photo Credit: GOATz Trail Runners
This event is full, but spectators are welcome!
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Hitchcock Nature Center
Saturday, December 11 to Sunday, December 12
100M, 101k, Half Marathon and 50M
Hitchcock Nature Center is proud to host another amazing Hitchcock Experience Endurance Run, presented by the Greater Omaha Area Trail-Runnerz. Runners will descend upon the park December 11th & 12th to take part in either a half marathon, 101K, 50 mile or 100 mile endurance run through the picturesque Loess Hills...Event Information
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Online | Part of "A Land Ethic Workshop" Series
Saturday, December 18
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
$15 per person | Ages 14+
Join educator Ron Cisar for a morning full of online environmental education including the exploration of winter adaptations of area animals, tips & tricks for effective winter bird feeding and a reading & discussion of Aldo Leopold's essay "Home Range"...Event Information
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Special thanks to KETV for coming out to our HawkWatch event in October to learn more about this volunteer group's important work. Watch the story below: |
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For Your (Conservation) Consideration |
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"For a couple of generations, we seem to have forgotten the age-old practices of working with nature, not against it. We rake, mow, and leaf blow away every leaf and bit of nature that actually helps our gardens in the spring.
Certainly, rake leaves off paths and paving where they can make underfoot conditions slippery. But wherever you can, just let them be! A few out-of-the-way leaf piles, perhaps in the corner of your yard or under shrubs, provide invaluable habitats for overwintering pollinators. Butterflies will overwinter in a chrysalis hanging from a dead plant, native bees will “hibernate” in the hollow stem of a bee balm plant, birds will flit around spent sunflowers, and caterpillars will roll into the seedpod of a milkweed plant. (Leave the leaves whole; do not shred.)"
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Stay in the loop. Click on an individual park below to follow its Facebook page.
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