Calendar of Events

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:-)    

15th Annual Healthiest State Walk - Central Park

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

The 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 15th Annual Healthiest State Iowa Walk event!

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

Central Park Lake Fall Colors Sunset Floats

Enjoy a paddle on Central Park Lake.  Join in for a fun and relaxing introduction to flat water kayaking. You will learn the basics of kayak safety and paddling, followed by a peaceful paddle on Central Park Lake.  The perfect way to enjoy the vibrant fall colors and beautiful autumn sunset.

Registration required - visit https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Jones/Events  to register.

This event is for ages 12 and up.  

All equipment provided.  

OWLS - Fall Colors Adult Paddling Trip

Adults are invited to join Dubuque, Jackson, and Jones County Naturalists for a fall paddle on the Maquoketa River! Enjoy fall colors as we paddle this senic stretch from Iron Bridge Road Access to Spragueville Access.

This event is part of our OWLS (Older, Wiser, Livelier Souls) Events for adults. This event is FREE.

Limited kayaks and canoes are available to borrow or bring your own.

Registration is REQUIRED by calling (563) 652-3783 or emailing conservation@jacksoncounty.iowa.gov.

Itinerary:
9:00 AM meet at Iron Bridge access
9:30 shuttle vehicles to Spragueville and get back to start
10:00-2:30 paddle the river, stop at a sandbar for lunch.
2:30-3:00 load up and depart from Spragueville

Wear clothing and shoes that can get wet. Bring a lunch and water for on the river.

Locations:
Iron Bridge Access https://maps.app.goo.gl/xrHK1QWu3Eekgykt5
Spragueville Access https://maps.app.goo.gl/VKXCcSuago1KXjYP8

Foraging Series

Join Monticello Parks and Recreation Staff and Jones County Conservation Naturalist, Michele Olson, for a foraging hike.  Learn how to safely identify, harvest, and enjoy nature's wild bounty!    Mark your calendar for the following Foraging Series outing dates:  Spring: April 30th, 4 PM Willow Park, Monticello.   Summer:  July 9th, 4 PM Riverside Gardens, Monticello.  Fall: October 15th, 4 PM, Central Park Nature Center.   Wear hiking footwear, comfortable tick and Mosquitoe proof clothing, a hat, and sunscreen.  Bring a water bottle and insect repellent.  

Central Park Lake Fall Colors Sunset Floats

Enjoy a paddle on Central Park Lake.  Join in for a fun and relaxing introduction to flat water kayaking. You will learn the basics of kayak safety and paddling, followed by a peaceful paddle on Central Park Lake.  The perfect way to enjoy the vibrant fall colors and beautiful autumn sunset.

Registration required - visit https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Jones/Events  to register.

This event is for ages 12 and up.  

All equipment provided.  

O.W.L.S. Sandhill Crane Migration & Aldo Leopold Center Tour Field Day

Join Naturalists from Dubuque, Jackson, and Jones County on a trip for a private visit to the Aldo Leopold Center, Leopold Shack, and witness the fall migration of thousands of sandhill cranes.

The Aldo Leopold Center is located about 2 hours from Dubuque near Baraboo, Wisconsin. Space is limited and the cost of $71 covers transportation to the center by van, along with the tour of the center, shack and bird blind for observing the cranes.  Car pooling arrangements will be available from the Hurstville Nature Center, Central Park Nature Center, and the EB Lyons Nature Center. 

Click here for more information on this event.

Anyone wishing to attend this event must pre-register at https://secure.rec1.com/IA/dubuque-county-ia/catalog

Space is limited! 

O.W.L.S. (Older, Wiser, Livelier, Souls) events sponsored by Dubuque, Jackson, and Jones County Conservation Departments are open to all adults.

Amazing ATLATL Fun!

Throwback Skills: Atlatl Spear Throwing

Join the Jones County Naturalist to learn how to safely throw spears using an atlatl, an ancient hunting tool. Test your aim on a variety of fun, seasonal targets in this hands-on program!

This Early Out Wednesday activity will take place at the Central Park Nature Center on:

• Tuesday, November 12 at 2:30 PM

• Tuesday, November 19 at 2:30 PM

Who Can Attend:
Open to interested adults and youth ages 8 and up.  All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Registration:
Online registration is required. Space is limited. Participants may register for one or both sessions—each date is listed separately.

  Click Here To Register

Pine Needle Art Class - Baskets

Come learn how to make a beautiful simple pine needle basket.  Create your own mini basket to take home.  All materials will be provided.  Classes will take place from 9 AM - 1 PM in the lower level meeting room of the Central Park Nature Center.  A lite lunch will be provided by the Friends of Jones County Conservation and Nature Center.  This class is sponsored by the Jones County Conservation Board and Friends of Jones County Conservation and Nature Center.  Participants must register for each class separately.  $10 cost per person per class.  Click here to register.

Amazing ATLATL Fun!

Throwback Skills: Atlatl Spear Throwing

Join the Jones County Naturalist to learn how to safely throw spears using an atlatl, an ancient hunting tool. Test your aim on a variety of fun, seasonal targets in this hands-on program!

This Early Out Wednesday activity will take place at the Central Park Nature Center on:

• Tuesday, November 12 at 2:30 PM

• Tuesday, November 19 at 2:30 PM

Who Can Attend:
Open to interested adults and youth ages 8 and up.  All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Registration:
Online registration is required. Space is limited. Participants may register for one or both sessions—each date is listed separately.

  Click Here To Register

Holiday Open House

🎄 Celebrate the Holidays at Central Park! 🎄

Join us for festive fun during our Holiday Open House events at Central Park!

Dates & Times:  

• Early Out Wednesdays: December 3, 10, & 17 | 1:00 – 4:00 PM

• Saturday: December 20 | 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM      

🎁 No registration required – come and go as you please!

Come enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities, including:
✨ Educational displays & exhibits
🎨 Make-and-take holiday crafts
☕ Hot chocolate & cookies
🖍️ Coloring contest
❄️ Snowshoeing on the trails (weather permitting)

Be sure to visit the Jones County Wild For Reading StoryWalk® Trail and enjoy When Winter Comes – Discovering Wildlife in Our Snowy Woods by Aimee Bissonette.

Don’t miss this magical chance to celebrate the season with nature, learning, and holiday cheer!

Holiday Open House

🎄 Celebrate the Holidays at Central Park! 🎄

Join us for festive fun during our Holiday Open House events at Central Park!

Dates & Times:  

• Early Out Wednesdays: December 3, 10, & 17 | 1:00 – 4:00 PM

• Saturday: December 20 | 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM      

🎁 No registration required – come and go as you please!

Come enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities, including:
✨ Educational displays & exhibits
🎨 Make-and-take holiday crafts
☕ Hot chocolate & cookies
🖍️ Coloring contest
❄️ Snowshoeing on the trails (weather permitting)

Be sure to visit the Jones County Wild For Reading StoryWalk® Trail and enjoy When Winter Comes – Discovering Wildlife in Our Snowy Woods by Aimee Bissonette.

Don’t miss this magical chance to celebrate the season with nature, learning, and holiday cheer!

Holiday Open House

🎄 Celebrate the Holidays at Central Park! 🎄

Join us for festive fun during our Holiday Open House events at Central Park!

Dates & Times:  

• Early Out Wednesdays: December 3, 10, & 17 | 1:00 – 4:00 PM

• Saturday: December 20 | 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM      

🎁 No registration required – come and go as you please!

Come enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities, including:
✨ Educational displays & exhibits
🎨 Make-and-take holiday crafts
☕ Hot chocolate & cookies
🖍️ Coloring contest
❄️ Snowshoeing on the trails (weather permitting)

Be sure to visit the Jones County Wild For Reading StoryWalk® Trail and enjoy When Winter Comes – Discovering Wildlife in Our Snowy Woods by Aimee Bissonette.

Don’t miss this magical chance to celebrate the season with nature, learning, and holiday cheer!

Holiday Open House

🎄 Celebrate the Holidays at Central Park! 🎄

Join us for festive fun during our Holiday Open House events at Central Park!

Dates & Times:  

• Early Out Wednesdays: December 3, 10, & 17 | 1:00 – 4:00 PM

• Saturday: December 20 | 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM      

🎁 No registration required – come and go as you please!

Come enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities, including:
✨ Educational displays & exhibits
🎨 Make-and-take holiday crafts
☕ Hot chocolate & cookies
🖍️ Coloring contest
❄️ Snowshoeing on the trails (weather permitting)

Be sure to visit the Jones County Wild For Reading StoryWalk® Trail and enjoy When Winter Comes – Discovering Wildlife in Our Snowy Woods by Aimee Bissonette.

Don’t miss this magical chance to celebrate the season with nature, learning, and holiday cheer!