Even though groundhog Phil saw his shadow, this recent heat wave sure has us thinking about the spring season and the great opportunities it brings to connect with the natural world. Explore all the fun events we have in store for February and March and make your way out to visit your favorite Pottawattamie Conservation park today.
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Maple Tree Tap is coming up on March 5th |
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Who's ready to try their hand at tapping homegrown maple syrup?
Bring the family out for our annual Maple Tree Tap at Botna Bend Park in Hancock, Iowa where participants will get an introduction to the basics of syrup making - from tapping the trees to bottling the final product. You'll even get to explore the syrup shack at Botna Bend and learn how we make this sweet, sticky treat for our annual Pancake Feed every fall.
If temperatures are cooperative and the sap is flowing, you'll also have an opportunity to taste the sweet sap as it flows from a maple tree! $3 per person. Park entry included.
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Welcoming Kelly Dix
Meet the newest member of the Pottawattamie County Conservation Board!
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Please help us give a warm welcome to the newest member of our board, Kelly Dix - current Vice President of Operations at the Pottawattamie County Community Foundation and a previous Environmental Educator with Pottawattamie Conservation.
“The Pottawattamie Conservation programs and parks hold a special place in my heart and I am eager to assist with the essential conservation, education, and recreational opportunities they generate in southwest Iowa. Pottawattamie Conservation is a leader in its field, and as a former employee, I feel that I will bring unique and valuable insights to the board.”
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Learn About Lichens with Ron Cisar |
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Did you know that lichens play an important role in the ecological balance of a forest by breaking down bark, rocks and more, which helps create soil?
Learn more about lichens with celebrated educator, lichen lover, and biologist Ron Cisar and consider signing up for "A Land Ethic Workshop" where you'll learn more fascinating facts about the natural world around you.
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We'd Like to Hear From You!
Share your thoughts about the county's acquisition of Mt. Crescent with us.
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Mt. Crescent will continue to be run and managed by the previous owners through the remaining 2022 ski season.
Pottawattamie County will assume full responsibility in the summer of 2022 and at that time will begin exploring the feasibility of further recreational development of the area.
Share your ideas, questions, or concerns with us and learn more about why the county purchased this land in our FAQs:
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❤️ A Love Letter to Snow ❤️
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Roses are red. Violets are blue. This is for you, Snow. We love you.
Dear Snow,
Out of all the weather phenomena we experience here in Southwestern Iowa, your job may be one of the hardest. Unlike the story of Goldilocks, there doesn’t seem to be a “just right” amount of snow for us humans’ liking, who tend to have a love or hate relationship with you. Well, we’re here to say we love you, Snow, and we miss you.
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Hitchcock Nature Center
Saturday, February 26
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Free! Registration required. | Ages 14+ preferred
Join us as we kick off our 2022 season of "A Land Ethic Workshop." Led by celebrated educator Ron Cisar, in this introductory session you will study & learn:
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- How one oak affects the biological community & reveals secrets of the past
- The ecological significance of Iowa's Loess Hills landform.
- The biographical history of Iowa's own Aldo Leopold & his "Land Ethic"
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Saturday, March 5 | 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
$3 per person | All ages
Who's ready to try their hand at tapping homegrown maple syrup!? Bring the family out for our annual Maple Tree Tap at Botna Bend Park in Hancock, Iowa.
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Council Bluffs Public Library | Meeting Room B
Wednesday, March 9
6:30 p.m.
$15 per person | Ages 14+ preferred
Planning & Mapping Your Garden will prepare you to plan out the human and plant needs of the site where you want to reconstruct your pollinator garden. Work on planning your short and long-term goals so you can bite off chewable chunks and avoid issues that can come from doing too much, too fast.
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Hitchcock Nature Center
Saturday, March 26
2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
$12 per person | Ages 14+ preferred
Inspire renewal and new beginnings in your life through this mindful spring equinox experience meant to strengthen your connection to the natural world. As winter melts into spring, join naturalist and folk herbalist Dustin Clayton for a renewing hike and demonstrations focused on the spring, or vernal, equinox.
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A Land Ethic Workshop Series
Hitchcock Nature Center
Monthly starting March 19th to December 3rd
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
$15 per person | Ages 14+ preferred
Do you have an interest in conservation and desire to feel more connected to the natural world? Then join educator Ron Cisar for "A Land Ethic Workshop" - a thoughtful program that will inspire you to stay curious and wild, and will help you better understand the responsibility we all carry to protect wildlife and the land.
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The full schedule is listed below:
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*Free* Intro to "A Land Ethic Workshop" - February 26th, 9:00 a.m. Register today!
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Waterfowl Identification - March 19th, 9:00 a.m. Register today!
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Woodland & Prairie Wildflowers - April 9th, 9:00 a.m. Register today!
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Morels, Fungi & Lichen - May 21st, 9:00 a.m. Register today!
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Freshwater Ecosystems - June 18th, 9:00 a.m.
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Butterfly Basics - July 9th, 9:00 a.m.
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A Chorus of Insects - August 13th, 9:00 a.m.
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Ornithology 101 - September 10th, 9:00 a.m.
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The Science of Fall - October 15th, 9:00 a.m.
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Nature's Recyclers - November 12th, 9:00 a.m.
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Winter Survival Secrets - December 3rd, 9:00 a.m.
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Pictured: Pottawattamie Conservation volunteer Mark greets guests and answers their questions at Hitchcock Nature Center's Loess Hills Lodge. |
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Looking for ways to give back?
We're searching for volunteers to help us with land management projects, welcoming guests, educating the public, putting on events, and more.
Explore all the ways you can support your favorite parks and join us today!
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Stay in the loop. Click on an individual park below to follow its Facebook page.
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