Calendar of Events

Jones County Local Farmers Market - At Central Park!

Mark your calendars for the new Jones County Local Farmers Market sponsored by Jones County Tourism Association!  Check out whats available at the new local market at Central Park  this summer.  Market dates include Saturday June 28th, July 19th, and August 16th.  Market vendors will be on site from 1-3 PM and will be located on the Nature Center side of the lake.  

Mushroom Foray

Join the Prairie States Mushroom Club for an introduction to mushroom foraging followed by a hike around Central Park.  August is an excellent time to look for fungi, whether edible or just beautiful!  Expect to find oyster mushrooms, coral fungi, and perhaps chanterelles!  

Meet at the Central Park Nature Center lower level meeting room at 9 AM.  Wear hiking footwear and long pants and bring insect repellent.  We will be heading off trail.  

This program is sponsored by the Jones County Conservation Board, Prairie State Mushroom Club, and Ross and Elizabeth Baty Monticello Public Library.  

Pine Needle Art Class - Pendants

Come learn how to make beautiful pendants using pine needles.  Get creative as you design some of your own pendants for necklaces, ear rings, or bracelets.  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.

Central Park Bumble Bee Survey

Head to the Central Park Nature Center on Saturday June 21, July 19, and August 30th from 3-5 PM to take part in the 2025 Central Park Bumble Bee Survey!  Learn about the Iowa Bumble Bee Atlas and help survey the bumble bees of Central Park.  

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:-)    

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:-)    

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.  

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.

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.