Calendar

The first of the FLOATs (Fun-Loving Outdoor Adventure Team) teaches campers basic outdoor skills while preparing for the higher level FLOATs. Fishing, canoeing, map reading, cooking, and other skills will be taught. This camp is only for children that are completing 3rd or 4th grade in the spring of 2019. Children may only be registered for one FLOAT I camp. Registration begins on Saturday, April 13 at 8:00 a.m.

The first of the FLOATs (Fun-Loving Outdoor Adventure Team) teaches campers basic outdoor skills while preparing for the higher level FLOATs. Fishing, canoeing, map reading, cooking, and other skills will be taught. This camp is only for children that are completing 3rd or 4th grade in the spring of 2019. Children may only be registered for one FLOAT I camp. Registration begins on Saturday, April 13 at 8:00 a.m.

McFarland Park provides a perfect outdoor classroom for growing and developing toddlers and preschoolers. Come as a family and join Natalie Welter as we learn and grow together. Activities include child-lead hikes, digging in the mud, searching for nature treasures, climbing, books, songs, and an abundance of nature-inspired play. Programs are free! Registration is required the Tuesday prior to each program. These programs are intended for children 18 months to 5 years old plus their adult. Be dressed to be outside no matter the weather and be prepared to get messy! Older/younger siblings are welcome to attend.

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.

Your parks need your help! Litter and discarded fishing line/tackle can cause major problems for our local wildlife. Come make a difference and participate in a lake cleanup! We will focus on McFarland Park and Peterson Park giving special attention to retrieving snagged fishing line and lures. We will meet at McFarland Park to coordinate and disperse. If you have them, bring a canoe/kayak or waders in order to get to hard-to-reach snags. Bring pliers, a small saw, a knife, loppers, or trash grabbers if you have them. We will have some tools available for use as well. If you don't want to get in the water we will also be walking the shoreline. Bring a pair of work gloves and a FULL water bottle.

Help keep our rivers clean by joining us for a paddling clean-up event. Canoes, life jackets (required), and paddles are provided as well as refreshments from the Outdoor Alliance of Story County. Experienced leaders from the Skunk River Paddlers will guide the way as we hunt for trash and debris while floating along. We'll enjoy both the camaraderie and satisfaction of a cleanup - even to the point of being "disappointed" if there's little trash to be found! Be prepared to find some larger items such as tires or remnants of old cars. If river levels are low (or if you fill your canoe with garbage!) you may have to drag your boat for a bit. Some paddling experience is preferred. We will do our best to pair paddlers based on experience level. We will meet at McFarland Park and carpool to the river. More information and registration can be found here: http://cerv.is/m?0342x180

Join Saving Our Avian Resources (SOAR) for an afternoon all about our feathered friends! Rehabilitated birds will be returned to the wild. Save the date and watch for more details!

Join a naturalist and discover the amazing survival strategies of camouflage. We will search the woods and prairie for camouflaged animals and create and hide some critters of our own! This program is for children ages 5 and up plus their adult. Participants must be dressed to go and explore. Feel free to bring snacks and water if desired.