Story County Conservation

08/28/2026

Monarch migration is around the corner, and so is our Wheels + Wings Bike Ride! Dressed in their best monarch-inspired gear, riders will "migrate" on the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail from Slater to Collins, enjoying butterfly-themed fun, nectar stops, and more:
- Free Fabled Popcorn Co and bloody Marys from Flight Bar + Grille
- Live music, milkweed shots and monarch cocktails at Mom's Maxwell in Maxwell
- Color-changing butterfly limonada, mural photo op and butterfly art display at The Back Yard in Collins
- Vibrant Wheels + Wings branded belt bag
-Support increased access for biking and conservation in our community

📆Saturday, Sept. 19
🚴Slater to Collins & back - 42 mi. total
🔗Register here: https://WheelsAndWingsBikeRide.eventbrite.com

OASCO Bolton & Menk, Inc. Iowa Bicycle Coalition Heuss Printing The Back Yard

08/27/2026

🚴‍♀️Migrate with the monarchs! Join this fun ride on the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail on Sept. 19. Enjoy monarch-themed fun, festive drink specials, and likely spot migrating monarchs in native habitat along the trail corridor.

Event and registration info on our page or on Eventbrite.

Iowa Bicycle Coalition OASCO

08/27/2026

We don’t have a monarch tagging event planned this fall, but our friends in Boone County do! Join them Tuesday for tagging at Don Williams.

The monarchs are on the move, and it’s time to celebrate at Monarch Spectacular! Monarch Spectacular is a fun-filled monarch tagging event where you can get up close to these incredible butterflies, learn about their migration, and help support monarch research and conservation.
Join Boone County Conservation staff on September 1st at 4:30pm at Don Williams Recreation Area to be a part of the spectacular!

08/25/2026

Sooo much news lately.. Exciting things happening in south Ames at Tedesco Environmental Learning Corridor! 👀

Tedesco Environmental Learning Corridor in Ames is getting a few upgrades, including a new shelter, entrance and parking lot.

08/25/2026

Story County Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management (IRVM) had a busy quarter focused on maintaining and improving the County’s roadsides and natural areas. Staff mowed 40 acres, sprayed 965 centerline miles for noxious weeds, and treated 61 miles for brush. Since July 2025, 86 seeding work orders have been completed.

They also continued supporting private landowners through equipment rentals, with 42 acres of native vegetation and 40 acres of cover crops/waterways established. Looking ahead, fall operations will include seed harvesting, mowing, potential prescribed burns, and continued roadside maintenance, along with a $6,000 grant awarded for a new seed drill. To review the report in full, please follow https://www.storycountyiowa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/36288?fileID=29882

08/25/2026

🚧CLOSURE - Paddlers, please be aware of a closure on the South Skunk River Water Trail as construction begins on improvements at the C.J. Shreck Water Trail Access #212, south of Cambridge.

‼Paddling is not advised downstream of Askew Bridge Access ( #217) while construction is underway.

This project, partially funded by the Story County Water & Land Legacy Bond, will add improved river access, parking and interpretive signage at this access. See site plans in comments.

🔗Read full details: https://www.storycountyiowa.gov/m/NewsFlash/home/detail/4284

08/24/2026

Story County Conservation had a busy and impactful summer! Conservation staff hosted 22 summer camps for 205 youth, along with 11 public programs, while continuing efforts to restore prairies, improve natural areas, and protect local resources. Parks also saw improvements including a new picnic shelter and trail enhancements at Prairie Valley, bridge replacements, and numerous volunteer workdays. Water quality efforts continued with new monitoring volunteers, water sampling at more than 15 sites, and progress on watershed improvement projects. Several major Land and Water Legacy projects are also underway, with new conservation areas, trails, shelters, and other improvements planned or under construction across Story County. 🌳🌲🌳

To review the report in full, please follow https://www.storycountyiowa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/36289?fileID=2994

08/21/2026

❗PRESS RELEASE - It's FINALLY time for the big announcement we've been keeping quiet: Introducing longtime staff member and former parks superintendent, Ryan Wiemold, our new DIRECTOR!

As director, Ryan will lead the direction of our organization while also overseeing spending of funds from the 2024 Story County Water & Land Legacy Bond.
In his 16 years here, Ryan has worked a number of roles and has been heavily involved in many transformative projects: development of Tedesco Environmental Learning Corridor, Hickory Grove Park’s lake restoration, Dakins Lake park expansion, McFarland Lake renovation...the list goes on. His experience in project planning, construction management, operations, law enforcement and leadership leave us in excellent hands for this next chapter.

It's been a very busy summer and we have many fun announcements around the corner - please bear with us as our organization works to re-gain balance and find a new pace amidst this leadership change!

(Pronounced "WEE-MOLD" !)

🔗Read full press release: www.storycountyIowa.gov/m/NewsFlash/home/detail/4278

*Ryan does not *officially* take office until Sunday, August 23.

08/20/2026