Jackson County Conservation

Jackson County Conservation hosts a variety of programs and events and welcomes people of all ages, abilities and interests.  Programs are free unless otherwise noted.  

Pre-registration is required for some events.  To register, please call us at (563) 652-3783 or email us.

Check back frequently; new events, camps, exhibits and presentations are scheduled often.

February

Owl Prowl
Saturday February 11 at 6:00 pm
Hurstville Interpretive Center

Hooting for a good time? Join naturalist Ann Burns in learning more about owls in Iowa and their excellent adaptations.  Then we’ll head to Maquoketa Caves where Bob Walton will lead us in calling the owls.  Dress for the weather. All ages welcome! 

Volunteer Appreciation Event
Thursday February 16 from 4-5:30 pm
Hurstville Interpretive Center

We invite everyone who volunteered or helped Jackson Co. Conservation this past year to attend!  We’ll provide food and drink and some entertainment!  This is a great chance to meet other volunteers and hear their stories.  Open house style.  Please RSVP by Mon. Feb. 13 so we can prepare food.

Great Backyard Bird Count at Hurstville
Friday February 17 from 9:00 - 11:00 am
Monday February 20 from 9:00 - 3:30 pm
Hurstville Interpretive Center

Participate in the GBBC and put Hurstville on the map!  Experienced birders will be at the Center counting birds on the days/times above and welcome all skill levels to come and help.  Scopes and binoculars will be provided.  Counting will be done indoors (and outdoors is optional). 

March

Social Media Contest Event
Saturday March 3 at 1:00 pm
Location: TBD-winning nature center

Swiss Valley Nature Center of Dubuque County and Hurstville Interpretive Center of Jackson County have challenged each other to a race - to see which nature center can attract the most new likes on their respective facebook pages.  Visit Hurstville's facebook page to like us!  Contest ends February 29.  An event will be held March 3rd where the losing nature center staff will have to hug-a-hog!


Iowans Out West - 4th Series
Guiding in Alaska
Sunday March 4th at 4:00 pm   
Hurstville Interpretive Center

Join us for a fascinating program presented by Pete Cueno as he describes his experience working as an adventure guide in Alaska.  Along with the program will be a delicious full course meal.  Cost for program & meal is $9 per person.  Tickets must be purchased by the Wednesday prior to the program for meal planning.  Limited seating is available.  All funds raised support the Hurstville Outdoor Makeover Project.  Program at 4:00, supper served at 5:15.


Eat Out & Raise Funds
Wednesdy March 7 from 4-10 pm
McDonalds in Maquoketa

Have supper at the Maquoketa McDonalds and 10% of all eveing sales will be donated to Friends of JCC!

Volunteer Training/Review
Thursday March 8 from 2:00-4:00 pm
Hurstville Interpretive Center

This is for all our volunteers, young and young at heart, new and the veterans.  We’d like to share with you some updates about parks, exhibits, and programming that we do so you are better prepared for visitor questions.  We’ll train you to handle the critters (if you want!) and we’ll bring you up to speed about other aspects of the conservation department.  Please RSVP by Monday March 5 so we can plan accordingly.

Iowa DNR Hunter Education Course
Saturday March 10
Hurstville Interpretive Center
AND
Saturday March 17
Maquoketa Ikes Clubhouse

Participants must be at least 11 years old to enroll and must attend both days.  Class size is limited.  Register at
http://www.iowadnr.gov/ltraining

April

Iowans Out West - 5th Series
Photography in Jackson Hole
Sunday April 1 at 3:00 pm
Hurstville Interpretive Center

You won't want to miss a fascinating presentation by Chris Corenlius about her experience taking a photography class in the Jackson Hole, Wyoming area.  You'll be stunned by the incredible photos!  In conjuction with Friends of Jackson County Conservation annual soup supper (see below). 

Annual Soup Supper Fundraiser
Sunday April 1 from 4:30 - 6:30 pm
Hurstville Interpretive Center

Come out and support conservation and education in Jackson County by joining us for a delicious meal!  A delicious spread of chili & potato soup, veggies, sandwiches and desserts will be served.  Cost is $7 per person ($6 if purchased in advance), $5 for kids 5-10 years old, 4 & under free.  In conjunction with Program at 3:00 pm. 


Hurstville Outdoor Makeover Groundbreaking Ceremony
Sunday April 22
Hurstville Interpretive Center

Mark your calendars for this fun event - we'll have food and games.  Details coming soon!

May

Iowans Out West - 6th Series
Endangered and Alien Species in Texas
Sunday May 6 at 4:00 pm
Hurstville Interpretive Center

Join us this month for a sure to be exciting program presented by Kim Wahl, habitat management specialist with US Fish & Wildlife.  Wahl will share the challenges and delights in working to protect habitat in Texas during extreme drought. Along with the program will be a delicious full course meal.  Cost for program & meal is $9 per person.  Tickets must be purchased by the Wednesday prior to the program for meal planning.  Limited seating is available.  All funds raised support the Hurstville Outdoor Makeover Project. 

Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date with our programs and events.

Sign up to receive Hurstville Happenings, emailed to you the first of each month with that month's events and programs.

Sign up for our quarterly newsletter, Up and Down the River, to stay up to date with programs, events and the latest news with JCCB.  Available by mail or email. 



Summer Camps 2012

Day Camps at the Hurstville Interpretive Center

Explorer Camp June 19, 20, 21 from 9:00 - 2:00 each day

Ranger Camp June 26, 27, 28 from 9:00 - 2:00 each day

Adventure Camp July 17,18, 19 from 9:00 - 3:00 each day.  Optional overnight July 18-19. 

Nature Camps in Jackson County

Andrew City Park - July 10 from 9:00 - Noon        

Bellevue, Cole Park - July 12 from 9:00 - Noon 

Sabula, South Sabula Lakes Park - July 24 from 9:00 - Noon 

Miles City Park - July 26 from 9:00 - Noon 

Preston, Twogood Park - July 31 from 9:00 - Noon 

Maquoketa August 7 from 9:00 - Noon 

Times, activities, details and registration form for all summer day camps will be posted late February/early March.  Sign up will begin March 15. 

Other Programs

From outside organizations; not affliated with JCCB but related to outdoor conservation and education

Great Annual Backyard Bird Count
February 17—20, 2012

The GBBC is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. How to participate: 1. Plan to count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count. 2. Count the greatest number of individuals of each species that you see together at any one time. 3. Visit www.birdsource.org/gbbc/ to enter your results.  Its fun, free, fast, and easy & you are helping collect data on bird populations in your area!