Conservation

Monarch Tagging

Become a scientist for a day!  Bring your family to Central Park to learn about, capture, and tag migrating monarch butterflies.  Bring your own net or borrow one of ours.  Check-in at the Central Park Nature Center to receive instructions and tagging equipment.  This is a come and go event  - stay for an hour or the entire time:-)    

Following the Fall Migration - Part of the Walk & Learn: Birds & Binoculars Series!

Join the Walk & Learn: Birds and Binoculars Series this Summer!

Lace up your walking shoes, grab your binoculars (and bird field guide if you have one), and join fellow birding enthusiasts as we learn about Iowa’s Fall Migration.   Find out which birds head south for the winter, which birds stay, and which birds find Iowa a cozy winter retreat! 

We’ll meet at the Riverside Garden Gazebo at 9 AM for brief introductions before beginning our hike.

New to birding? No problem! Everyone is welcome to attend this relaxed, educational bird watching outing.

Binoculars and field guides will be provided, or feel free to bring your own 😊

This series is co-sponsored by the Monticello Parks & Recreation Deaprtment and the Jones County Conservation Board.  

Central Park Nature Center Open

Looking for a fun summer activity?

Visit the Central Park Nature Center!

Join us to view the 2026 Jones County Walking Through History temporary exhibit! View exhibits featuring artifacts left by past inhabitants of Jones County, and enjoy several hands-on activities and games in the Nature Center’s lower level.

Summer Nature Center Hours

• Saturdays: 1–5 PM (Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend)
• Weekdays: 8 AM–3:30 PM, when staff are present

For more information on upcoming events, visit the Jones County Conservation website.

Monarch Tagging

Become a scientist for a day!  Bring your family to Central Park to learn about, capture, and tag migrating monarch butterflies.  Bring your own net or borrow one of ours.  Check-in at the Central Park Nature Center to receive instructions and tagging equipment.  This is a come and go event  - stay for an hour or the entire time:-)    

Monarch Tagging

Become a scientist for a day!  Bring your family to Central Park to learn about, capture, and tag migrating monarch butterflies.  Bring your own net or borrow one of ours.  Check-in at the Central Park Nature Center to receive instructions and tagging equipment.  This is a come and go event  - stay for an hour or the entire time:-)    

O.W.L.S. Birding Paddle - Green Island

Fall is a great time to look for waterfowl, and what better way to look for them than on the water!

Join Naturalists from Jackson, Jones, and Dubuque Counties in a birding paddle around the Green Island Wildlife Area as we look for migrating and resident birds.  We'll keep our eyes peeled to catch a glimpse of  bald eagles, pelicans, egrets, and migrating waterfowl frequently found in this 3,6000 acre wetland and woodland complex along the Mississippi River valley. 

Kayaks will be available for people to borrow, as well as binoculars, but participants are welcome to bring their own. 

Join us as we leisurely paddling across the water, looking for birds in the marsh, trees, bushes, and more! 

Registration is required, as boats are limited!

Older Wiser Livlier Seniors (OWLS) programs are designed for adults 18 years or older.

O.W.L.S programs are shared between Jackson, Jones, and Dubuque county. 

Please call 563-652-3783 to register for this event by September 8th. 

Monarch Tagging

Become a scientist for a day!  Bring your family to Central Park to learn about, capture, and tag migrating monarch butterflies.  Bring your own net or borrow one of ours.  Check-in at the Central Park Nature Center to receive instructions and tagging equipment.  This is a come and go event  - stay for an hour or the entire time:-)    

Monarch Tagging

Become a scientist for a day!  Bring your family to Central Park to learn about, capture, and tag migrating monarch butterflies.  Bring your own net or borrow one of ours.  Check-in at the Central Park Nature Center to receive instructions and tagging equipment.  This is a come and go event  - stay for an hour or the entire time:-)    

Central Park Lake Sunset Kayaking

Perfect for beginner kayakers!  Join us for a fun and relaxed introduction to flat water kayaking!  Learn the basics of kayak safety and paddling, followed by a peaceful paddle on Central Park Lake.   

Bring your own kayak or use of the the Jones County Conservation educational kayaks.

Wednesday, September 23

6 - 8 PM

This event is for ages 10 and up.  Children must be accompanied by and adult.   

All equipment is provided.  PFD's required to be worn.

Registration is required.  Click here to register.

16th Annual Healthiest State Walk - Central Park

Meet at the Central Park Nature Center at Noon for a fun walk around Central Park Lake.   

Bring your binoculars or borrow a pair of ours and watch migrating birds as we walk.

This Annual Walk is an opportunity to join thousands of other Iowans statewide in walking for at least 30 minutes!

Grab your friends or family to join us for a scenic walk while participating in the 16th Annual Healthiest State Iowa Walk event!

For more information visit: https://www.iowahealthieststate.com/events/annual-walk

OWLS - Wapsipinicon River Fall Colors Paddle

Join the Dubuque, Jones and Jackson County Conservation Department Staff on Thursday, October 10th for our annual O.W.L.S fall colors paddle! 

Enjoy the colorful autumn sights and sounds of the scenic Wapsipinicon River as we paddle 8.9 miles beginning at Wapsipinicon State Park below the dam in Anamosa to the Newport Mills River Access. 

The event is part of the Older Wiser Livelier Seniors (OWLS) program, sponsored by the Dubuque, Jackson and Jones County Conservation Departments. OWLS programs provide opportunities for like-minded adults to gather, enjoy outdoor activities and learn more about the natural world.

Participants should arrive at 9 a.m. at the Wapsipinicon State Park access below the dam to drop off their watercraft or check in for rental reservations. Drivers will then meet at 9:30 a.m. at the Newport Mills River Access to leave vehicles and board shuttles back to the put-in location. Following introductions and a brief safety presentation, paddlers will launch at approximately 10 a.m.

Participants should bring a kayak or canoe, paddle, PFD, dry bags, extra dry clothing, aquatic footwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, lunch or snack, and drinking water. A limited number of conservation kayaks and equipment will be available for rent.

The cost is $5 per person for participants bringing their own kayak/watercraft and $10 per person for conservation kayak rentals. Cash payment will be collected on the day of the event. Conservation kayak rental costs include a kayak, paddle, PFD and shuttle.  Paddlers are encouraged to bring a sack lunch or snack to enjoy along the river at a sandbar or visit an area restaurant following the event.

Pre-registration is required through MyCountyParks – Jones County by Tuesday, October 6th. 

https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Jones/Events

This outing is dependent on river levels and weather conditions. Participants should check with the Jones County Conservation Department website and Facebook page for any changes or cancellations

Central Park Lake Sunset Kayaking

Perfect for beginner kayakers!  Join us for a fun and relaxed introduction to flat water kayaking!  Learn the basics of kayak safety and paddling, followed by a peaceful paddle on Central Park Lake.   

Bring your own kayak or use of the the Jones County Conservation educational kayaks.

Saturday, October 10

5-7 PM

This event is for ages 10 and up.  Children must be accompanied by and adult.   

All equipment is provided.  PFD's required to be worn.

Registration is required.  Click here to register.