Calendar

All About Monarchs

18832 152nd Avenue
Sperry, IA
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September 5, 2026
10:30 am · 12:00pm

Join us at JOHN H. WITTE, JR. OBSERVATORY COMPLEX on Saturday, September 5th, starting at 10:30 AM until 12:00 PM. Des Moines County Conservation is all about Monarch Butterflies! During this program, you will learn all about the beautiful Monarch Butterfly and what you can do to promote a healthy habitat for this butterfly and other pollinators in Iowa. You will also have the opportunity to participate in citizen science by tagging Monarch butterflies!

Every year, thousands of Monarch Butterflies migrate from the Midwest to overwinter in the Oyamel Fir Forests of Mexico. Citizen scientists east of the Rocky Mountains mark captured butterflies with special tags to identify individuals. When they arrive in Mexico, the tags are retrieved, giving scientists valuable information to promote the conservation of this fascinating species.

Bring the whole family and come take part in this program at JOHN H. WITTE, JR. OBSERVATORY COMPLEX 18832 152nd Avenue, Sperry, Iowa, in Big Hollow Recreation Area. Call Starr's Cave Nature Center at 319-753-5808 to learn more about this free program! 

For More Information
Contact: Shania Hansen
(319) 753-5808
hansensdmcc@gmail.com
Website

Posted by: Conservation

Labor Day - County Offices Closed

Des Moines County, Iowa

Monday, September 7, 2026

Leadership on the Landscape - Disturbance

12412 65th St, Burlington Iowa 52601
Burlington, IA
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September 9, 2026
7:00 am · 8:30am

What if the problem isn't the disturbance?

Most leaders spend their time trying to prevent disruption. But in nature, disturbance isn't always something to avoid. Fire, wind, flooding, insects, and fallen trees can all reshape an ecosystem—and often create the conditions for new life, greater diversity, and long-term resilience. Without disturbance, forests change anyway, often in ways we never intended.

 

Join us at Hunt Woods as we explore how disturbance shapes both ecosystems and organizations. Walking through actively managed and unmanaged forests, participants will examine what healthy disturbance looks like, when intervention is necessary, and how leaders can distinguish between change that weakens an organization and change that ultimately helps it thrive.

 

Designed for managers, supervisors, department heads, executives, and anyone responsible for people and organizational outcomes, Leadership on the Landscape offers a refreshing alternative to traditional leadership development by taking the conversation outside.

 

Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Time: 7:00–8:30 AM

Location: Hunt Woods Forest Management Area

Capacity: Limited to 12 participants

 

Participants should dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. Please leave phones and other communication devices behind—this is intentional time to think, reflect, and engage.

Registration is required.

For More Information
Contact: Chris Lee
(319) 753-8260
leec@dmcounty.com
Website

Posted by: Conservation

A Trip to Shokokon - Told by Russ Fry

11627 Starr's Cave Rd
Burlington, IA
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September 19, 2026
11:00 am

A Trip to Shokokon
We share the same sense of place with those who came before us.
Shokokon is now known as Burlington, Iowa. It was an important area for Native Americans to obtain flint, camp, and to hold council. Find out about the various trails that lead into Shokokon.

For More Information
Contact: Marcus Nack
(319) 753-5808
Nackm@dmcounty.com

Posted by: Conservation

DMCC Ladies Adventure Group Aim & Adventure

11627 Starr's Cave Rd
Burlington, IA
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September 22, 2026
5:30 pm · 7:00pm

Ladies 18+. Looking for a fun way to spend your Tuesday evening? Grab a friend and join the Des Moines County Conservation Ladies Adventure Group for On Target on Tuesday, September 22, from 5:30–7:00 PM at Starr's Cave Nature Center.

Challenge yourself as you learn and practice a variety of outdoor skills, including archery, hatchet throwing, tomahawks, and throwing knives. Whether you're a complete beginner or have tried these activities before, Shania, our naturalist, will provide instruction and all the equipment you need for a safe and enjoyable experience.

This program is open to women ages 18 and older. Registration is $5 per person, and space is limited to just 20 participants, so be sure to reserve your spot here. Gather your friends and join us for an evening of adventure, laughter, and trying something new!

 

For More Information
Contact: Shania Hansen
hansensdmcc@gmail.com
Website

Posted by: Conservation