November 2026 Department Updates
November brings cooler temperatures, shorter days, and a little more time to enjoy the quieter side of the parks.Jacklyn Wolken, Conservation Technician
Upcoming Events
Land Stewardship Day
November 14 | Starr's Cave Nature Center | Free
Help give Starr's Cave a little extra care during Land Stewardship Day!
Volunteers are invited to spend the day helping clean up the park and improve its natural areas. Projects will include picking up trash, clearing trails, and removing invasive species. Whether you're looking to lend a hand or make a difference in your local parks, this is a great opportunity to get involved. Participants should bring work gloves and loppers if they have them. A waiver will need to be completed upon arrival.
Come ready to get a little dirty and help keep Starr's Cave looking its best!
Outdoor Cooking
November 17 | Starr's Cave Nature Center | $15/person
Who says cooking has to happen in a kitchen?
Join DMCC at Starr's Cave Nature Center for a fun, hands-on outdoor cooking experience! Participants will make delicious pie iron pizzas over the fire and bake a sweet apple crisp in a Dutch oven. This program is a great opportunity to learn some new outdoor cooking skills, try something different, and enjoy some tasty food around the campfire.
Space is limited! Register here!
Ugly Sweater 5k Fun Run
December 19 | Starr's Cave Nature Center | Pre-registration $20/person, Day of Registration $25/person
Break out your festive best (and worst) for the annual Ugly Sweater 5K Fun Run!
Join DMCC for a crisp winter run or walk through Starr's Cave Park. Whether your sweater is bedazzled, jingling, or just downright tacky, wear it with pride! This is the perfect opportunity to get moving, celebrate the season, and share some holiday cheer with family, friends, and fellow runners.
Strap on your running shoes, throw on your favorite outrageous holiday sweater, and come join the fun!
Campground Closures
Sycamore Loop at Welter Recreation Area and the 4th Pumping Station Campground are now closed for the season. The Big Hollow shower house has also been winterized and closed for the year. Water will remain available at campsites until freezing temperatures set in. All Big Hollow campsites are now walk-up only for the fall and winter months.
The Wilson Off-Grid Primitive Cabin is also closed for the season and will reopen in April. However, the Ranger Cabin remains open year-round and is available for reservations throughout the winter.
Iowa Association of Naturalists Conference
DMCC is excited to host the Iowa Association of Naturalists Fall Conference! Naturalists and environmental educators from across Iowa will gather for a few days of learning, networking, and sharing ideas. Naturalist Shania has been hard at work planning and organizing this year's conference, helping bring together educators who share a passion for connecting people with the outdoors.
Office Closure
Starr's Cave Nature Center will be closed November 26–27 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Regular hours will resume following the holiday. County parks will remain open for visitors to enjoy throughout the Thanksgiving weekend!
October Recap
October was a busy month throughout Des Moines County Conservation, with fall programs, school field trips, special events, and plenty of work happening behind the scenes!
Big Holloween was BIG! With approximately 800 participants, this year's celebration may have been the biggest one yet! The campground was filled with trick-or-treaters, costumes, and Halloween fun.
The Ladies Adventure Group kicked off the month with a Wellness Weekend event at Big Hollow. The weekend was filled with camping, activities, and meals cooked over the fire. Participants enjoyed art projects, a range day, hatchet throwing, and plenty of time spent outdoors.
Starr's Cave Nature Center also hosted the Explore Bowhunting course with the Flint River Archery Club. The course filled to capacity, giving young participants the opportunity to learn about bowhunting and practice the skills involved.
October brought 12 field trips, keeping the Environmental Education staff busy leading students through the parks and helping them learn more about the natural world.
The Ladies Adventure Group also took to the water for its Fall Color Paddle on October 17. The witches left their brooms at home and traded them for paddles as they explored Big Hollow Lake surrounded by the changing fall scenery.
The Fall Color Hike at Starr's Cave offered some incredible views of the season. The fall colors were at their peak, showing off the true beauty of Southeast Iowa. Participants had the chance to explore the trails and take in the colorful scenery throughout the park.
On October 30, Marcus and Shania represented DMCC at the Area Educator Expo. The event brought together area teachers and educators to network, share resources, and learn about opportunities available to their classrooms. It was a great opportunity to connect with local educators and build relationships for future environmental education programs.
DMCC also added new kayaks thanks to a grant from the Optimist Club and funds generated through boat rentals. These additions will help provide even more opportunities for visitors to get out on the water.
October also brought some behind-the-scenes projects throughout the parks. Staff continued improvements along the Flint River Trail, worked on campground and facility maintenance, prepared food plots, and began getting equipment ready for winter. Staff have also been preparing for fall prescribed burns, including completing refresher training. DMCC also partnered with local fire department personnel for rappel and cliff-rescue training at Starr's Cave, along with cleanup work along the cliffs.
Looking Ahead
November is a great time to lend a hand with park projects, learn a new outdoor skill, or take advantage of the trails before winter settles in.
Whether you're volunteering at Starr's Cave, joining an outdoor cooking program, or simply getting outside for a walk, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Des Moines County Conservation areas this month.
Check out the DMCC park map to discover a new place to explore!
Follow DMCC on Facebook
Follow Des Moines County Conservation and Starr's Cave Nature Center on Facebook to stay up to date on upcoming programs, event details, park updates, and everything happening throughout the county parks.
November is a great time to enjoy the outdoors in a different way. Bundle up, find a trail, gather around a campfire, and enjoy YOUR county parks!
published Wednesday, November 4, 2026
