June 2026 Department Updates
Things are warming up at DMCC, and summer is officially here! From camps and paddling adventures to community events and busy parks, there’s plenty happening throughout Des Moines County Conservation this June.Jacklyn Wolken, Conservation Technician
Upcoming Events
Burlington River Days | June 11–13
Head to the Burlington riverfront for three days of family fun during Burlington River Days! This annual event features three nights of FREE concerts, a BBQ competition, boat parade, River Days Olympics, carnival rides, and a chance to win a Boat Load of Prizes!
This year's concert lineup includes Captain Geech & The Shrimp Shack Shooters, Roseland, Hinder, and several other great performers. Best of all, proceeds from River Days support local parks, trails, natural areas, and waterfront access projects throughout our community.
Learn more and get your tickets today!
Summer camp season kicks off this month! Environmental Education staff will be busy all summer long hosting hands-on outdoor adventures for local youth. A few spots are still available in select camps, so be sure to register your kids before they're gone!
Skunk River Adventure Paddle | June 20
Join naturalists from Des Moines and Lee Counties for a guided paddle down the scenic Skunk River. Limited boats and shuttle transportation are available.
For just $15 per person, participants can enjoy a relaxing float. Space is limited, so be sure to register early.
More details and registration information are available here.
Field Staff Update
All river docks have been installed and are ready for use this season. We’re also excited to welcome back our summer interns, Grant and Kendall, who have joined the field staff for another busy summer.
New handrails were installed at the Big Hollow beach, a collaboration project between Afinitas and the Mediapolis High School Welding Program.
Our crew continues to work hard keeping parks, campgrounds, trails, and facilities in great shape for visitors. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or a family camping trip, now is a great time to make your reservations.
Reserve a cabin or campsite today and enjoy everything your county parks have to offer.
Environmental Education Update
The spring field trip season kept our Environmental Education staff extremely busy. Naturalists Shania and Carissa hosted more than 25 field trips, welcoming over 1,200 students from schools throughout the area. Programs took place nearly every weekday, providing students with hands-on outdoor learning experiences.
We also said goodbye to our high school intern, Sheldon, as he completed his internship with DMCC. We greatly appreciated his hard work and enthusiasm, and we're happy that he'll continue helping with programs and projects this summer while earning Silver Cord hours.
The Starr's Cave Nature Center remains open on its spring and summer schedule from 12:00–4:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
In May, we hosted the Prairie Roots Plug Planting event in memory of Kevin Russell. Co-hosted with Sam from Prairie Roots Landscaping, volunteers helped establish a beautiful pollinator planting in front of Starr's Cave Nature Center. We look forward to watching this space grow and flourish throughout the summer.
A public paddle was also held at Big Hollow Recreation Area on May 29, providing participants with an opportunity to explore the lake and enjoy an evening on the water.
We hope to see you out enjoying YOUR county parks this summer! Be sure to follow us on Facebook for event updates, program announcements, and all the latest happenings around Des Moines County Conservation.
published Tuesday, June 2, 2026
