Calendar of Events

FUNGARIUM! Lunch & Learn

Join Art McBreen, Treasurer of the Prairie States Mushroom Club, for an informative presentation celebrating the launch of the Fungarium! exhibit. Be among the first to see this traveling exhibit, which will be on display at the Central Park Nature Center for a limited time only—from early March through the end of May. A light mushroom soup lunch will be provided by the Friends of Jones County Conservation and Nature Center.

Wednesday, March 4

Noon - 1 PM

Central Park Nature Center - Lower Level Meeting Room

OWLS - Skunk Cabbage Hike

OWLS Skunk Cabbage Hike – March 20 

Lace up your hiking boots and welcome spring!

Join Naturalists from Dubuque, Jackson, and Jones County Conservation for the annual OWLS Skunk Cabbage Hike on Friday, March 20th.

Location: Swiss Valley Nature Center (meet in the parking lot)
Time: 10:00 AM (Introductions begin promptly at 10)

After introductions, we’ll hike to the Hanging Bog in search of one of spring’s earliest and most unique wildflowers — skunk cabbage! Known for its unmistakable scent and ability to emerge through snow, it’s a true seasonal spectacle!

🥾 What to Expect

• Approximately 2.5-mile loop

• Uneven terrain and hills

• Trekking poles recommended if conditions are icy or muddy

• Optional: Bring a lunch to enjoy with fellow hikers after the trek

About OWLS

OWLS (Older, Wiser, Livelier, Souls) programs are designed specifically for adults. These events are:

• Educational

• Fun

• A great way to connect with others who share an interest in conservation and the outdoors

OWLS programming is a partnership between Dubuque, Jackson, and Jones County Conservation Departments.

Registration

Registration is not required but is appreciated to help staff prepare.

To register, please call: 563-556-6745

We hope you’ll join us for this fun spring adventure! 

FLY Tying Class - Older, Wiser, Livelier, Souls -

Learn to Tie Your Own Flies!

Join us Thursday, March 26, from 9:00 AM to Noon at the Central Park Nature Center for an introductory fly-tying class.

This hands-on class is perfect for beginners and includes expert instruction and guidance throughout the session. Each registered participant will be provided with a fly-tying vise, and all materials are included!

Participants will leave with 4–5 finished flies, ready to catch fish or share with friends!

Instruction provided by Hawkeye Fly Tyer, Mike Jacobs.

• $12 materials fee

• Pre-registration REQUIRED

• Space is limited

  Click here to register for this event.

Annual Midwest Crane Count

Help monitor the abundance and distribution of Sandhill and Whooping Cranes in Jones County.  Join us at sunrise on Saturday April 18th.  Contact  the Jones County Crane Counter Coordinator, Michele Olson for more information and to learn how you can participate.   

Central Park Earth Day Celebration & Litter Cleanup!

Celebrate Earth Day at Central Park and the Central Park Nature Center on Wednesday, April 22nd!

From 10:00 AM – Noon, stop by the Nature Center to take part in a community clean-up event as part of the Keep America Beautiful Great American Cleanup and the Keep Iowa Beautiful Pick-Up Iowa campaign.

You’ll be assigned an area of Central Park to help pick up litter. Please bring your work gloves and hiking footwear. We’ll provide garbage bags, loaner buckets, and litter pickers. Be sure to check out the Nature Center displays, make some pollinator seed balls, and enjoy refreshments following the cleanup event.

The Central Park Nature Center will be open to visitors from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM on Earth Day.

For more information on upcoming events and programs hosted by Jones County Conservation, visit:

https://www.jonescountyiowa.gov/conservation/

Come enjoy the sights and sounds of spring while making a difference in your community!

Central Park Iowa Young Birders Association Outing

Join the Iowa Young Birders Association for a fun morning of birdwatching at Central Park — perfect for kids and families!

We’ll meet at the Central Park Nature Center at 9:00 AM to say hello and learn a little about birds before heading out on the trails together. We’ll see how many different bird species we can spot along the way!

Please wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. Binoculars and bird guides will be available to borrow, or you’re welcome to bring your own.

New birders welcome - you do not have to be a current member of the Iowa Young Birders Association to attend.

Discovering Chimney Swifts & Nighthawks! - Part of the Walk & Learn Birds & Binocular 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 chimney swifts and nighthawks. Along the way, we’re sure to spot other resident birds as we hike to and from several Monticello public parks in search of these special species.

We’ll meet at the Monticello Pocket Park at 7:00 PM for brief introductions before beginning our hike.

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

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.