Past Events

If the skies are clear, join Naturalist Brittney Tiller as we search the sky for the newly discovered comet Neowise. Participants should meet at the ballfield in the picnic area near Shelters #1 & 2. Participants will be asked to maintain social distancing during the program.

Register Here July 21-23; 9:00am-2:00pm Pre-Registration Required-Entering 4th-6th Grade Campers will learn to rig their own pole, bait their hook, take their catch off the line, and identify the fish! The final day of camp will include a fieldtrip to a surprise fishing location. Included in the $45 camp fee are snacks and t-shirt. Camp will be limited to twelve participants who are entering 4th-6th grade.

Register Here July 28-29; 9:00am-2:00pm July 30 (4:00pm)-July 31 (9:00am) Pre-Registration Required-Entering 5th-7th Grade If you like non-stop action and a whole lot of fun, this camp is for you! We have combined all the favorite activities into one camp which will include fishing, archery, spear throwing, kayaking, fire building, and an optional overnight campout. Included in the $50 camp fee are a snack and t-shirt. Included in the $50 camp fee are snacks, a t-shirt, and food during the…

Pre-registration required- Register Here Geodes are nature’s treasure chest! Participants will be paddling this beautiful stretch of river between stops on the sandbars as we search for geodes. Ryan Clark, a Geologist with the Iowa Geological Survey, will be leading the paddle as he talks about the geology of the river, why we can find geodes in that particular stretch of river, and how geodes form. The paddle is open to everyone, however children under age 18 must be accompanied…

Head out to Lacey-Keosauqua State Park to Meet a Turtle. Chad Dolan, Biologist with the Iowa DNR, will begin his presentation with some general information on turtles then show some live turtles which call Iowa home. This is an official Des Moines River Water Trails event cosponsored by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Jefferson County Conservation. The Des Moines River Water Trail is one of 19 official water trails in Iowa.

Register Here Entering 3rd-6th Grade Join us for a morning of history-related activities which include starting a fire with flint and steel, making a candle, and spear throwing with an atlatl. This program is co-sponsored by Carnegie Historical Museum and Jefferson County Conservation. Pre-registration required.

A "buffalo" head has overlooked the Carnegie Library since 1900. Although the library has moved, the bison remains above the stairs to the 3rd floor. Come learn how bison were a keystone species in North American prairies. Pete Eyheralde, an Assistant Professor of Biology at William Penn University and a bison rancher in southern Iowa for the last 20 years, will share the natural history of bison in the eastern tallgrass prairie and look at new findings from research in…

We have changed this program to a virtual event. We will be posting the video on August 20th rather than doing an in person program. Thanks for understanding.    Come see what insects call Van Buren County home. Entomologist Moni Hayne will be teaching participants about the insects they find in their nets. Come prepared for a hands-on adventure! This is an official Des Moines River Water Trails event cosponsored by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Jefferson County…