December 2024 Department Update
November has been a fantastic month of outdoor recreation and community enrichment at DMCC! From exciting events to meaningful improvements, our department has been hard at work connecting the community with nature. Here’s a recap of what we accomplished in November and a look to what’s ahead in December.Marcus Nack, Environmental Education Manager
This update is brought to you by the Big Hollow Ranger Cabin.
- Have family coming to town for the holidays and you'd just rather they not stay at your place?
- Want to establish a new deer camp tradition?
- Looking for a winter getaway on 800 acres with great trails and ice fishing?
- Just want a quiet weekend getaway after the craziness of the holidays?
We have just the place.
The Big Hollow Ranger Cabin is a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom ranch style house tucked away in a quiet setting in the 800-acre Big Hollow Recreation Area. The house has a large back deck, fire pit, and a pond just a short walk away. It's available year-round.
We're running a winter getaway special. Not only have we reduced the rental rate (it's cheaper than most hotel rooms!), but if you enter the code WINTER50 at checkout, you'll get another $50 off your booking!
Make your reservation today and get away for a bit this winter.
November Highlights
Celebrating Educators at Teacher Appreciation Day
We proudly showcased Starr’s Cave Nature Center’s resources at the Teacher Appreciation Day event at Southeastern Community College. This was a wonderful opportunity to connect with local educators, share the programs we offer, and introduce new teachers to our tools for environmental education.
Walmart Grand Opening and Grant Celebration
During Walmart's grand reopening in West Burlington, we celebrated a milestone for our nature center! Environmental Education Manager Marcus Nack accepted a grant check and delivered a speech during the event. This generous support will help us kickstart our much-anticipated archery range project—stay tuned for updates as work begins!
New Outdoor Drinking Station
Thanks to Delta Dental’s “Rethink Your Drink” initiative, our new outdoor drinking station at Starr's Cave Nature Center has been installed. This updated station includes a bottle filler, a spigot for visitors, and even a dog bowl for furry friends. It’s a significant improvement to our amenities, promoting healthy hydration and supporting active lifestyles.
Trail Cleanup and Brush Burn
We hosted a successful event to tackle invasive species like Bush Honeysuckle in the woods of Starr’s Cave Park. Volunteers and staff cleared trails with gloves, loppers, and hand saws. Although wet conditions prevented us from burning the brush, we finished the day with s’mores and great conversation around the firepit.
Gobble Gobble 5K: A Turkey Trot with a Purpose
Our first annual Gobble Gobble 5K was a huge success! Participants hit the trails to support families in need during the holiday season. Proceeds were split between our Environmental Education department and the Salvation Army, making a meaningful impact in the community.
Seasonal Maintenance and Future Planning
As the weather cools, we’ve been busy with winterizing chores and preparing for upcoming programs. Maintenance, cleaning, and planning are setting the stage for an exciting winter season. The water has been shut off at all parks, but the Big Hollow Campground is still open for dry camping until we get a blanket of snow.
Looking Ahead to December
Deer Hunting Seasons in Iowa
December is a key time for hunters in Iowa. Here are the important dates for deer hunting this season:
- 1st Deer Shotgun Season: December 7–11
- 2nd Deer Shotgun Season: December 14–22
- Late Muzzleloader Season: December 23–January 10
During these times, hunters will be out on public lands wearing blaze orange. If you’re visiting, remember to stay aware of your surroundings and prioritize safety.
Winter Day Camps at Starr’s Cave
Keep your kids active and curious this winter break with our Winter Day Camps! These one-day camps are perfect for combining fun, learning, and outdoor exploration:
- December 27th: Ages 7–9
- December 31st: Ages 10–13
Registration is available online and spots are limited, so act quickly—this is a first-come, first-serve opportunity!
Get into the holiday spirit with our Ugly Sweater 5K Shuffle on December 28th. Dust off your most outrageous sweater and join us for a festive trail shuffle!
- Pre-Registration: $15 (online)
- Day-of-Event Registration: $20
- Proceeds: Half of the funds support our local self-reliant group.
It’s a great way to have fun, stay active, and support a good cause as we close out the year.
Upcoming Office Closures
Our offices will be closed on the following dates:
- Thursday, December 5 for staff development
- Tuesday & Wednesday, December 24-25 for the Christmas Holiday.
- Wednesday, January 1 for the New Year Holiday
Looking into 2025...
New event and membership platform coming in January
At the turn of the year, we will roll out a new online platform for event and membership signups. This new system will allow us to better manage events such as our summer camps and trail runs. It will also improve the process for getting a membership for the Big Hollow Shooting Range as well as allow members a seamless digital check in process at the range. We also plan to partner with local businesses to offer new perks and benefits to our members and event attendees. This new system will allow us to do that. Watch for future announcements as we roll out the new system.
New pricing for campsites and shooting range memberships
Also at the start of 2025, we will be increasing fees for campsites and shooting range memberships.
- Camping fees will go to $30/night for full hookup sites and $25/night for electric-only sites. Primitive (tent) sites will remain $10.
- For shooting range memberships, we will go to a single household rate of $45/year or $750 for a lifetime membership. But as noted above, we will be introducing a number of member perks and incentives by partnering with the local business community. This will make being a range member way more valuable than just providing access to the region's best outdoor shooting range.
You can still book a campsite or renew your range membership at the current prices. The pricing doesn't change until January.
Stay Active and Connected
This December, Des Moines County parks are the perfect place to celebrate seasonal traditions, enjoy outdoor adventures, and connect with friends and family. Whether you’re hunting, exploring, relaxing at a quiet cabin, or participating in a 5K, there’s a good reason to get out to the parks, even if the calendar does say winter.
Don’t miss out—Book your cabin stay (remember to use code WINTER50) or register for the Winter Day Camps and the Ugly Sweater 5K Shuffle today. We look forward to seeing you in the parks this winter!
published Wednesday, December 4, 2024