For the health and safety of the community, Jefferson County Conservation has CLOSED the Nature Center, Office, and Shop to the public until further notice. Environmental Education programs are canceled through April 16th. Outdoor areas and trails are open to the public. Check back for future updates and thank you for understanding.
The Raptors of the River program scheduled for Saturday, March 14th at 10:00am at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park has been cancelled due to the forecasted snow and winter weather. We will reschedule at a later date. Thank you for understanding.
Join Jefferson County Conservation for a summer of fun! We have a great line up sure to peak your outdoor adventurers’ interest! Please note, these camps are set up for students who will be entering the listed grade during the summer.
4 & 5 Years Caterpillar Camp
1st-2nd Tadpole Camp
2nd-3rd Nature Detectives
3rd-5th Astronomy Camp
4th-6th Fishing Camp
5th-7th Best of the Best
7th-9th Overnight Explorers
The Jefferson County Conservation Board increased the camping cabin rates in Jefferson County Park to $65 per night with a weekly rate of $420. The rates have not increased in over 10 years. The increase was passed in anticipation of the online reservation system which park staff are working to implement. At this time, reservations are still taken over the phone or in person at the Conservation Office. For more information, please see the cabins page.
KYOU stopped by during the January Sub-Zero Survival program. Participants who are in 5th-7th grade were taught how to build survival shelters and start fires with only matches. Both activities allowed participants to test out their survival skills.
This short clip gives watchers a glimpse into the program!
Jefferson County Conservation recently purchased a new telescope for programs. The funds came from several donations which largely included memorial funds from Barney Baird. Barney was one of the original members of the Jefferson County Conservation Board. Barney’s wife Verda, son Randy, and daughter-in-law Jan are pictured with Naturalist Brittney Tiller behind the telescope during a night sky program earlier in December. This wonderful donation will be used by many to observe the night sky. Thank you to the Baird family and all our donors.
Thanks to the family and friends of Don and Maxine Angstead, Jefferson County Park has a new entrance sign. During the fall of 2019 the maintenance staff were able to install the sign with the help of the Jefferson County Roads Department. The photo was taken by Joseph Stanski (c)JosephStanski.com.