Calendar

Story County Conservation Partners are community members who want to help Story County Conservation achieve its mission of enhancing the quality of life for all citizens of the county. Agendas will be posted the Monday prior to the meeting. In FY20, all new memberships and renewals will go towards a sustainable cabin at Dakins Lake.

O.W.L.S. programs are designed for "boomers" or older, but anyone can attend. No registration is required unless you would like to attend the optional luncheon that follows the program for just $7.50. If you would rather not register online, call our office at 515.232.2516. Having paddled over 1,800 miles of Iowa rivers for the Iowa Water Trails program, Dr. Jim Pease has some unique insights to share about Iowa rivers, their futures, and their importance to Iowa's wildlife. Menu: baked potato bar and strawberry shortcake. Register and pay for lunch by 4pm on January 3.

Story County Commission of Veterans Affairs monthly meeting

Common Ground is a statewide project that brings together people of all generations, ages, backgrounds, knowledge bases, places of residence, and political persuasions to give voice in their own words to the important role that the natural world plays in their lives. It aims to help people not only acknowledge their own connections to the natural world, but also build relationships with others who feel the same. We hope to show that—despite perceived differences—our common (though unique) experiences in nature are fertile ground for building relationships and coming together to work toward a collective goal: the protection of our natural resources. We will be collecting stories and photos from across the state and creating a public archive and exhibit. You have full control over your submissions to Common Ground and can elect how you wish to have your story and image shared publicly, if at all. Check http://bit.ly/CommonGroundProject for additional opportunities to participate.

The Story County Conservation Board invites the public to attend its monthly board meeting. Board agendas will be available at www.storycountyconservation.org the Friday prior to the meeting. Note: This meeting will be held in the Public Meeting Room at the Administration Building in Nevada due to construction at the Conservation Center.

This meeting will include a countywide trails overview, Praeri Rail Trail updates, a community discussion, and next steps for the Praeri Rail Trail.

Common Ground is a statewide project that brings together people of all generations, ages, backgrounds, knowledge bases, places of residence, and political persuasions to give voice in their own words to the important role that the natural world plays in their lives. It aims to help people not only acknowledge their own connections to the natural world, but also build relationships with others who feel the same. We hope to show that—despite perceived differences—our common (though unique) experiences in nature are fertile ground for building relationships and coming together to work toward a collective goal: the protection of our natural resources. We will be collecting stories and photos from across the state and creating a public archive and exhibit. You have full control over your submissions to Common Ground and can elect how you wish to have your story and image shared publicly, if at all. Check http://bit.ly/CommonGroundProject for additional opportunities to participate.

Embrace winter with an invigorating snowshoe hike to explore McFarland Park. No experience is necessary and snowshoes are provided. Please dress for the cold Iowa winter. Programs are dependent on snow levels.

The Climatology community now warns that we are running out of options to slow and reverse run-away-global-warming. We will explore the basic science of the earth's energy imbalance and the psychology of denial. Sponsored by the Outdoor Alliance of Story County, Story County Conservation, and the Ames Public Library. Sam Wormley is a retired associate scientist and principal investigator, CNDE/IPRT/AL at Iowa State University and retired as an adjunct professor of astronomy at Marshalltown Community College after 17 years. Among many other interests and community service, Sam regularly teaches science and technology classes for OLLI at Iowa State University. Participants are invited to record a story inspired by Iowa’s nature through the Common Ground project. A facilitator will be available in a study room from 8:00-8:45 to record 10 minute stories on a first-come, first-served basis. Find additional opportunities for participation at http://bit.ly/CommonGroundProject.

Embrace winter with an invigorating snowshoe hike to explore McFarland Park. No experience is necessary and snowshoes are provided. Please dress for the cold Iowa winter. Programs are dependent on snow levels.

If you enjoy biking, hiking, horseback riding, or canoeing in Story County, consider joining the Story County Trails Advisory Committee. Come share your ideas or perhaps volunteer to improve SCC's trail system. This meeting will focus on planning this year's trail events.