Calendar

Ribbon Cutting for Hickory Bend Expansion

Des Moines County Conservation has acquired 19.4 acres of land along Flint Creek adjacent to the 250-acre Hickory Bend Conservation Area. The new land is located at the south boundary of Hickory Bend, lies within the creek's floodplain and is completely forested. According to results from ongoing research, the land is known to provide habitat for endangered species of bats.

The purchase was made completely with grants and donations from local wildlife organizations including Pheasants Forever, Whitetails Unlimited, and the National Wild Turkey Federation. Those funds leveraged a state Wildlife Habitat Stamp Grant which uses funds from hunting license sales to purchase public hunting land and improve wildlife habitat. The new property, along with the rest of Hickory Bend, is open to public hunting.

"This is a perfect example of hunters and outdoorspeople directly investing in conservation," said Chris Lee, Executive Director at Des Moines County Conservation. "This property was purchased by hunters, for hunters. But the ecological benefits go far beyond that."

In addition to protecting critical habitat for endangered species of bats, the purchase also protects a segment of Flint Creek, a county-designated priority watershed.

A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Friday, December 1 at noon at the entrance to Hickory Bend at 15373 145th Ave., Burlington, IA (Google map link). For more information, go to the Hickory Bend page on Des Moines County Conservation's website at www.DMCconservation.com or call the conservation office at (319) 753-8260.

Posted by: Conservation

DMC Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Meeting

Posted by: Emergency Management Agency

Meet a Live Animal!

Come and join us at Starr's Cave Nature Center on December 6th at 3 PM for a special encounter with one of our live animal ambassadors! Discover fascinating details about the creature, ask your burning questions, and seize the opportunity to get hands-on with one of our charming critters! This event is open to all, free of charge, and requires no registration.

Posted by: Conservation

Conservation Board Meeting

The Des Moines County Conservation Board generally meets the first Wednesday of every month at 5:30PM at the Conservation Office in West Burlington. 

For more information on the conservation department, visit the department's website.

Posted by: Conservation

Conservation and Cocoa

Join us in celebrating National Hot Cocoa Day on December 13th! What could be more perfect than enjoying a cup of hot cocoa by the fire? Come and join us at the Starr’s Cave Nature Center at 3 PM. We'll provide the hot cocoa and a warm fire – all you need to bring is yourself and some friends. This event is free, no registration required, and everyone is welcome!

Posted by: Conservation

Crafts at the Center

Step into the holiday spirit with us at Starr's Cave! On December 21st at 3 PM, immerse yourself in the joy of the season as we gather to craft festive holiday creations. Whether you're eager to fashion a heartfelt holiday gift or infuse a dash of holiday magic into your decor, this event is tailor-made for you! Participation is absolutely free, but to guarantee we have enough supplies for everyone, please take a moment to register in advance by calling the nature center at 319-753-5808.

Don't miss this opportunity to come together, celebrate the season, and unleash your creativity in a warm and welcoming environment. Secure your spot by registering early, and let's make this holiday crafting session at Starr's Cave a memorable and joy-filled experience for all!

Posted by: Conservation

Christmas Holiday - County Offices Closed

Christmas Holiday - County Offices Closed

Winter Camp

Starr’s Cave Naturalist will be hosting a 3-day camp from December 27th-December 29th. During this camp, Kids ages 7-9 are encouraged to join us as we explore winter animal habits in the park. December 27th, 28th,and 29th will be from 9:00am-12:00pm to learn about the animal activity in the park. Some activities at this camp may include: Fire building, shelter building, hiking, tracking, and daily snack is included. Come join us for the fun and games at Starr’s Cave Park and Preserve, and please dress for the weather. For any further questions please call Starr’s Cave Nature Center at 319-753-5808.

Posted by: Conservation

Winter Camp

Starr’s Cave Naturalist will be hosting a 3-day camp from December 27th-December 29th. During this camp, Kids ages 7-9 are encouraged to join us as we explore winter animal habits in the park. December 27th, 28th,and 29th will be from 9:00am-12:00pm to learn about the animal activity in the park. Some activities at this camp may include: Fire building, shelter building, hiking, tracking, and daily snack is included. Come join us for the fun and games at Starr’s Cave Park and Preserve, and please dress for the weather. For any further questions please call Starr’s Cave Nature Center at 319-753-5808.

Posted by: Conservation

Winter Camp

Starr’s Cave Naturalist will be hosting a 3-day camp from December 27th-December 29th. During this camp, Kids ages 7-9 are encouraged to join us as we explore winter animal habits in the park. December 27th, 28th,and 29th will be from 9:00am-12:00pm to learn about the animal activity in the park. Some activities at this camp may include: Fire building, shelter building, hiking, tracking, and daily snack is included. Come join us for the fun and games at Starr’s Cave Park and Preserve, and please dress for the weather. For any further questions please call Starr’s Cave Nature Center at 319-753-5808.

Posted by: Conservation