Jackson County Conservation

Friends of Jackson County Conservation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to support and enhance programs and parks managed by Jackson County Conservation.

Members serve as volunteers for various programs and projects as well as raise funds for exhibits, conservation related projects, educational materials for programs and more.

Fundraisers

Friends of JCC host several fundraising events throughout the year to raise funds for projects. 

Annual Soup Supper

Sunday April 1, 2012
At the Hurstville Interpretive Center. 
Program: Photography in Jackson Hole presented by Chris Cornelius at 3:00 pm.
Soup supper served from 4:30 - 6:30 pm.
Contact us if you'd like to volunteer at the event or make a food or monetary donation.
Details found on calendar of events page.

Canoe Raffle!

Win a canoe... for as little as $10!   Thanks to a generous donation from Rick & Alice Henshaw of Maquoketa, we have a lovingly used 17-foot aluminum Lund canoe, along with two wooden paddles, that we are raffling off this winter!   This raffle is to raise funds for the Hurstville Outdoor Makeover project.  Raffle tickets are $10 each or $50 for 6 tickets.  Purchase tickets now through April 1.  Drawing to take place at annual soup supper on April 1, 2012 (need not be present to win).  Purchase tickets at the Hurstville Interpretive Center

Iowans out West Series

This dinner/speaker series is a fund raiser for the Hurstville Outdoor Makeover.  Speakers are current or former residents of Jackson County that have had a fun and unique experience 'out west'. 

Sunday March 4 at 4:00 pm
Guiding in Alaska
  Presented by Pete Cueno

Sunday May 6 at 4:00 pm
Endangered and Alien Species in Texas
Presented by Kim Wahl, US Fish & Wildlife Service

Following each program will be a delicious full course meal.  The cost is $9 per person for the program and supper.  Tickets must be purchased by Wedneday before the program. 

To purchase tickets, call us at (563) 652-3783 or stop at the Hurstville Interpretive Center.



Hurstville Outdoor Makeover

Click here to view the brochure

Mission:

A makeover to better engage visitors in the outdoors at the Hurstville Interpretive Center by allowing children and adults to explore, play, learn, and connect with our environment.

Project Components:

Create a dry bed stream and improve the existing pond. The pond and stream will be a great opportunity for water exploration by our visitors.  Stepping stones and native vegetation throughout the water features will provide children (and adults!) opportunities to interact with the water; look for frogs, splash around, catch bugs, act like a beaver, etc… The stream and pond will enhance our efforts to educate the public about the importance of water quality and quantity.

Install a hard-surface handicap accessible trail.  Right now, we have a gravel pathway that is highly erodible after a rainstorm and is not accessible.  Our goal is to make a majority of the area immediately surrounding the Center accessible for people of all abilities so that they may enjoy the outdoor classroom and garden.  The water management features that will be installed will also be used for educating the public about ways to manage rainwater. 

Install an information kiosk and chimney swift tower near parking lot.  Many people visit the area outside of regular business hours and an information kiosk next to the parking lot would be beneficial for these visitors with information about the area, including a map of the Hurstville complex.  In the center of the kiosk we will build a chimney swift tower.  This tower will provide a roosting (and hopefully nesting) place for chimney swifts; whose habitat has been on the decline in recent decades.

Create a natural playscape. A natural playscape is a playground using natural materials that offer open-ended play options for children (and adults!), allowing them to be more creative and imaginative during play and brings them closer to nature.  Natural playscape components we will be incorporating include:  balance beam, stepping stumps, music center, building center, checkerboard and grass maze.

Build an outdoor amphitheatre. An outdoor amphitheatre would be extremely beneficial for school field trips and our public programs.  Program participants would have comfortable and accessible seating with protection from the sun. The amphitheatre will be built to accommodate up to 30 people.

Monetary Support

These project components will be constructed in phases as funds are raised.  Your support will help us reach our goals!

The fundraising goal for the project is to raise $80,000 to complete the Hurstville Outdoor Makeover.

For as little as $100 you can support the proj­ect and also receive a limited edition t-shirt to show your support to the community.

Those who donate $500 or more will receive the limited edition t-shirt and will be recognized on the donor wall in the Hurstville Interpretive Center. Categories on the donor wall are:
                    $500-2,499            $2,500-9,999                             $10,000-24,999    $25,000 and up

Donors that sponsor key components in full will have the opportunity to name that project.  You will also receive a limited edition t-shirt, be recognized on the donor wall inside the Center and on a plaque outside on the project you sponsor. 

If you are interested in donating your time or resources, or have questions, please contact Friends of Jackson County Conservation at 652-3783 or email.