Jones County, Iowa

Derecho Recovery Tree & Shrub Planting

The Jones County Conservation Department is looking for interested volunteers to assist with “Derecho Recovery Tree and Shrub Planting” days at Central Park and the Grant Wood Trail in Martelle.   Jones County Conservation received a 2021 Derecho Community Forestry Grant to purchase native trees to replace those lost during the 2020 Iowa August Derecho event.  Central Park’s tree and shrub planting day will be Thursday, September 30th.  Volunteers can meet at the Jones County Central Park Maintenance Shop, near park entrance, at 10 AM. Wear clothing that can get dirty and bring your own pair of work gloves.  All other equipment will be provided.  After introductions, project orientation, and general tree and shrub planting instructions, volunteers will help place trees and shrubs into pre-dug holes, cover planted trees and shrubs with soil and mulch, and water plantings. Martelle’s Grant Wood Trail Section planting day will take place on Wednesday, October 6th at 10 AM and 1 PM.   

Derecho Recovery Tree & Shrub Planting

The Jones County Conservation Department is looking for interested volunteers to assist with “Derecho Recovery Tree and Shrub Planting” days at Central Park and the Grant Wood Trail in Martelle.   Jones County Conservation received a 2021 Derecho Community Forestry Grant to purchase native trees to replace those lost during the 2020 Iowa August Derecho event.  Central Park’s tree and shrub planting day will be Thursday, September 30th.  Volunteers can meet at the Jones County Central Park Maintenance Shop, near park entrance, at 10 AM. Wear clothing that can get dirty and bring your own pair of work gloves.  All other equipment will be provided.  After introductions, project orientation, and general tree and shrub planting instructions, volunteers will help place trees and shrubs into pre-dug holes, cover planted trees and shrubs with soil and mulch, and water plantings. Martelle’s Grant Wood Trail Section planting day will take place on Wednesday, October 6th at 10 AM and 1 PM.   

Derecho Recovery Tree & Shrub Planting

The Jones County Conservation Department is looking for interested volunteers to assist with “Derecho Recovery Tree and Shrub Planting” days at Central Park and the Grant Wood Trail in Martelle.   Jones County Conservation received a 2021 Derecho Community Forestry Grant to purchase native trees to replace those lost during the 2020 Iowa August Derecho event.  Central Park’s tree and shrub planting day will be Thursday, September 30th.  Volunteers can meet at the Jones County Central Park Maintenance Shop, near park entrance, at 10 AM. Wear clothing that can get dirty and bring your own pair of work gloves.  All other equipment will be provided.  After introductions, project orientation, and general tree and shrub planting instructions, volunteers will help place trees and shrubs into pre-dug holes, cover planted trees and shrubs with soil and mulch, and water plantings. Martelle’s Grant Wood Trail Section planting day will take place on Wednesday, October 6th at 10 AM and 1 PM.   

Wapsipinicon River Fall Colors & Archaeology Paddle

Join this jointly sponsored Dubuque, Jackson, and Jones County Conservation OWL (Older Wiser Livelier) Fall Colors Paddle along the Wapsipinicon River on Friday, October 8th.  Enjoy the beauty of autumn on the river as we paddle/float this short but scenic stretch of the Wapsipinicon River from Matsell Bride to Stone City.  Watercraft staging begins at Matsell Bridge Access at 8:30 AM.  Vehicle staging/driver shuttles will take place at the Stone City Access from 9-9:15 AM.  A short archaeology program and safety talk will be held prior to participants putting in at the Matsell Bridge Access.  Bring your own picnic lunch or grab a bite to eat at a local restaurant.  Participants are encouraged to bring their own watercraft.  A limited number of kayaks will be provided by Dubuque CCB.  Registration for this event is required by visiting Eventbrite.  (This event is recommended for experienced paddlers due to cool water temperatures and unpredictable fall weather.) 

Building Better Birders Workshop Series - Waterfowl Field Day

Would you like to learn how to identify waterfowl?  Join birder, Kelly McKay (BioEco Research and Monitoring Center) and Jones County Conservation Department Staff for “A Waterfowl Field Day” on Saturday, November 6th.

The morning will kick off with a birding hike to view waterfowl on the Central Park Lake, ponds, and wetlands from 8-10 AM.  Anyone interested should meet in the parking lot of the Central Park Nature Center at 8 AM. Dress for the weather and wear hiking footwear.   A detailed Waterfowl ID PowerPoint, presented by Kelly McKay, will be shown at the Central Park Nature Center from 10 AM -Noon.    Learn how to identify waterfowl from their shape, plumage, and calls. Bring a sack lunch or grab a quick bite to eat at a local restaurant before meeting at the south side access at Muskrat Slough at 1 PM to observe waterfowl on the remnants of this ancient glacial remnant lake.   

Bring your own binoculars and field guide or borrow one for the day.  Register for the entire day or pick and choose which sessions you would like to attend.  To register for this event please contact Michele at (319)481-7987 or naturalist@jonescounytiowa.gov  or register at https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Jones/Park/Central-Park/Events.aspx  Please register by 4 PM, Thursday, November 4th. 

The Building Better Birders Workshop Series is designed to improve your bird identification skills and promote greater citizen science.  All workshops are free of charge with funding supported by the Resource Enhancements and Protection – Conservation Education Program (REAP -CEP).   This program is open to all ages but is geared toward participants age 12 & over. 

Building Better Birders Workshop Series - Waterfowl Field Day

Would you like to learn how to identify waterfowl?  Join birder, Kelly McKay (BioEco Research and Monitoring Center) and Jones County Conservation Department Staff for “A Waterfowl Field Day” on Saturday, November 6th.

The morning will kick off with a birding hike to view waterfowl on the Central Park Lake, ponds, and wetlands from 8-10 AM.  Anyone interested should meet in the parking lot of the Central Park Nature Center at 8 AM. Dress for the weather and wear hiking footwear.   A detailed Waterfowl ID PowerPoint, presented by Kelly McKay, will be shown at the Central Park Nature Center from 10 AM -Noon.    Learn how to identify waterfowl from their shape, plumage, and calls. Bring a sack lunch or grab a quick bite to eat at a local restaurant before meeting at the south side access at Muskrat Slough at 1 PM to observe waterfowl on the remnants of this ancient glacial remnant lake.   

Bring your own binoculars and field guide or borrow one for the day.  Register for the entire day or pick and choose which sessions you would like to attend.  To register for this event please contact Michele at (319)481-7987 or naturalist@jonescounytiowa.gov  or register at https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Jones/Park/Central-Park/Events.aspx  Please register by 4 PM, Thursday, November 4th. 

The Building Better Birders Workshop Series is designed to improve your bird identification skills and promote greater citizen science.  All workshops are free of charge with funding supported by the Resource Enhancements and Protection – Conservation Education Program (REAP -CEP).   This program is open to all ages but is geared toward participants age 12 & over. 

Building Better Birders Workshop Series - Waterfowl Field Day

Would you like to learn how to identify waterfowl?  Join birder, Kelly McKay (BioEco Research and Monitoring Center) and Jones County Conservation Department Staff for “A Waterfowl Field Day” on Saturday, November 6th.

The morning will kick off with a birding hike to view waterfowl on the Central Park Lake, ponds, and wetlands from 8-10 AM.  Anyone interested should meet in the parking lot of the Central Park Nature Center at 8 AM. Dress for the weather and wear hiking footwear.   A detailed Waterfowl ID PowerPoint, presented by Kelly McKay, will be shown at the Central Park Nature Center from 10 AM -Noon.    Learn how to identify waterfowl from their shape, plumage, and calls. Bring a sack lunch or grab a quick bite to eat at a local restaurant before meeting at the south side access at Muskrat Slough at 1 PM to observe waterfowl on the remnants of this ancient glacial remnant lake.   

Bring your own binoculars and field guide or borrow one for the day.  Register for the entire day or pick and choose which sessions you would like to attend.  To register for this event please contact Michele at (319)481-7987 or naturalist@jonescounytiowa.gov  or register at https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Jones/Park/Central-Park/Events.aspx  Please register by 4 PM, Thursday, November 4th. 

The Building Better Birders Workshop Series is designed to improve your bird identification skills and promote greater citizen science.  All workshops are free of charge with funding supported by the Resource Enhancements and Protection – Conservation Education Program (REAP -CEP).   This program is open to all ages but is geared toward participants age 12 & over. 

Building Better Birders Workshop Series - Iowa's Owls & Owl Prowl

How many types of Owls can be found in Iowa?  What is the most common Iowa Owl?  Which Iowa owl is known as the “skunk owl”?  Join birder, Kelly McKay (BioEco Research and Monitoring Center) and Jones County Conservation Department Staff for “Iowa’s Owls Presentation and Owl Prowl” at 6:30 PM on Friday evening, October 22nd at Central Park. 

Participants will meet in the lower level of the Central Park Nature Center at 6:30 PM for an informative PowerPoint presentation on the owls of Iowa.  Then head outside for an evening “Owl Prowl” along the trails of Central Park as we attempt to see and hear local owls.  Wear hiking footwear and dress for the weather.  Please contact Michele at (319)481-7987 or naturalist@jonescounytiowa.gov to pre-register for this event by 4 PM, October 21st. 

The Building Better Birders Workshop Series is designed to improve your bird identification skills and promote greater citizen science.  All workshops are free of charge with funding supported by the Resource Enhancements and Protection – Conservation Education Program (REAP -CEP).   This program is open to all ages but is geared toward participants age 12 & over.