Story County Conservation offers monthly programs (September-May) for O.W.L.S. (Older, Wiser, Livelier Seniors).

The programs are held the first Tuesday of each month starting at 11:00 a.m. at the Story County Conservation Center at McFarland Park, 56461 180th St., northeast of Ames. An optional luncheon follows the program at 12 noon.

Lunch is catered for a $7.00 fee, and registration is required for lunch.

To register, call our main office at 515-232-2516 between 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, or e-mail us at .


2012-2013 OWLS Schedule


Upcoming Programs:

Musings of a Wildlife and Nature Photographer / February 5
Almost everyone who owns a camera becomes a nature photographer at some time. Nature is a magnet. It just draws us to it. Sooner or later, we all want to "capture" some of it and take it home, or share it with others. That's where the camera comes in. Join Craig Meyer as he shares photos and stories of some of his favorite destinations and their inhabitants, from Costa Rica to Canada.

Fee: $7 for optional lunch with pre-registration required by Friday, February 1. Menu: Pot Roast with potato, carrots, onion, roll, and Oreo fluff


History of the High Trestle Bridge / March 5
The High Bridge Trestle Trail over the Des Moines River between Madrid and Woodward Iowa has received rave reviews from users, recognition in numerous publications and awards from a number of groups, Learn more about the history, design, and construction components of the bridge over the Des Moines River and the High Trestle Trail in general.

Fee: $7 for optional lunch with pre-registration required by Friday, March 1. Menu: Oven baked chicken, parsley potatoes, peas, roll, and cherry crisp.


National Parks West, 49 Nights in a Mini-van / April 2
Through the summer and fall of 2010 and again in the summer of 2011, Bruce and wife Margie took on trips to document the national parks, totaling 22,000 miles through 17 states, including 49 nights sleeping in the back of their minivan.

Fee: $7 for optional lunch with pre-registration required by Friday, March 29. Menu: French dips on hoagie bun, hash brown casserole, spring salad, and cookie. 


Floating Through History / May 7
Not just for paddlers, Larry Stone’s PowerPoint offers an entertaining, yet thought-provoking, look at the natural and cultural resources that canoeists, visitors, and residents may experience along Iowa waterways. We’ll see how early explorers used our rivers – and discuss what wildlife and wild lands they encountered. We’ll ponder how those rivers shaped our cities and farms, while acknowledging that people also reshaped many rivers.

Fee: $7 for optional lunch with pre-registration required by Friday, May 3. Menu: Meatball subs on hoagies, chips, fresh fruit bowl, and cookie.