Fontana Park - Buchanan County Conservation Board

Fontana Park - Buchanan County Conservation Board Fontana Park is managed by Buchanan County Conservation Board. Its mission is to improve quality of life through programs of conservation and education."

Donations accepted:
Do you wish to donate to projects and programs of the Buchanan County Conservation Board, including Fontana Park? Contributions are much appreciated. For more information, call 319-636-2617 and ask for Dan. Programs offered:
Youth groups, civic clubs, and other gatherings should consider scheduling a taylor-made educational program. For more information, call 319-636-2617 and a

sk to speak with a naturalist. Food for the Wildlife Display
Fontana Park often accepts donations of meat, fruit, and vegetables for the animals in the Wildlife Display. Certain rules apply regarding the types and condition of food. Donors must call ahead before dropping off meat: 319-636-2617.

06/12/2026

Did you know that the rarest birds in the world are from the grasslands? This is due to habitat loss, which results in less places to nest and food that is available to them.

One of these species is the Bobolink! This blackbird species is well known for its unique coloration of black and yellow. As well as its amazing call that it produces. Some people claim it sounds a lot like R2-D2 from Star Wars!!!

To see this bird and many other unique grassland bird species take a fun hike down the trails of Ham Marsh! We suggest taking your rain boots! 🥾

🎥: Bobolink calling to its friends by Naturalist Kyle

Do not forget that tomorrow at 9:30 am (rain or shine) is Animal Encounters! Staff will be talking about snakes of Iowa....
06/09/2026

Do not forget that tomorrow at 9:30 am (rain or shine) is Animal Encounters! Staff will be talking about snakes of Iowa. There also will be an opportunity to meet the Conservation Board’s newest snake and possibly even watch a snake eat! Be sure to come early as we had a huge turn out of over 120 people last week for the coyote! Hope many of you can make it.

Thanks to those who participated in our bumblebee atlas survey today at Fontana Park! Many of participants learned how t...
06/06/2026

Thanks to those who participated in our bumblebee atlas survey today at Fontana Park! Many of participants learned how to conduct surveys like wildlife scientists. We even had some folks come all the way from Virginia!!!

We learned about the ecology of bumblebee’s. How to find them in the field. To go over the results of our catches. And release the bees back to the wild afterward.

Today’s survey we “chilled” the bees so we could study them up close, which just involves lowering their body temperature. Photos are taken to be reviewed later and will be submitted to the Bumble Bee Atlas website!

Tomorrow is the first Animal Encounter’s of 2026. The group will learn all about the coyote. The program will start remo...
06/01/2026

Tomorrow is the first Animal Encounter’s of 2026. The group will learn all about the coyote. The program will start remote at 9:30 am outside of the Fontana Wildlife Display. No registration is required for this program. Hope to see many of you there!

Thanks to everyone who made it out to the Wapsi through the Seasons: Spring Kayak!  We had a great group of 14 participa...
05/28/2026

Thanks to everyone who made it out to the Wapsi through the Seasons: Spring Kayak! We had a great group of 14 participants. Please be sure to keep watching our page to see more events like this. Let's see your pictures of you enjoying the water in a canoe or a kayak!

Thanks to everyone who went batty with us at last night’s workshop! Participants learned all about bats and even got to ...
05/27/2026

Thanks to everyone who went batty with us at last night’s workshop! Participants learned all about bats and even got to take home their own bat box to hang in their yard.

A huge thank you as well to the students at Oelwein Community Schools for helping build the kits so they can be used throughout the community. Your hard work is helping create more homes for bats and making a positive impact on local wildlife!

There are still a couple openings for tonight's bat house building program!  The cost is $25 per box.  Please sign up by...
05/26/2026

There are still a couple openings for tonight's bat house building program! The cost is $25 per box. Please sign up by clicking the link in the comments below!

Buchanan County Area Conservation and Natural Resources Scholarship Applications are now being accepted! Complete applic...
02/19/2026

Buchanan County Area Conservation and Natural Resources Scholarship Applications are now being accepted! Complete application materials at https://www.buchanancounty.iowa.gov/services/conservation/scholarships.php
This is a great opportunity for students graduating high school or enrolled in college, with an interest in conservation and natural resources!

The Buchanan County Area Conservation and Natural Resources Scholarship Committee will award a limited number of scholarships to area residents currently enrolled as seniors in high school or attending accredited colleges or universities. The top scholarship award will be $1,500. The Buchanan County Area includes the following school districts: Independence, Jesup, East Buchanan, Oelwein, Wapsi Valley, Starmont, and North Linn.

Preference will be given to applicants who:
• Will major in a conservation or natural resources-related field:
• Have a demonstrated interest in conservation and natural resources;
• Have been active in their communities; and
• Have academic records that indicates a likelihood of success at their chosen schools.

To apply for a scholarship, download the application form at https://www.buchanancounty.iowa.gov/services/conservation/scholarships.php. You may choose to submit your application on a separate piece of paper, but all applications should be limited to two 8.5” x 11” sheets of paper. Include as an attachment a copy of a current high school or college transcript. Applications must be received by 4 p.m. on March 13, 2026.

Send (or drop off) completed applications to:
Conservation and Natural Resources Scholarship,
Fontana Interpretive Nature Center,
1883 125th St., Hazleton, IA 50641, or email to [email protected] (Word or PDF).

2026 Sponsors of the Conservation and Natural Resources Scholarship:
Buchanan County Pheasants Forever
Buchanan County Wildlife Association
Friends of Fontana Park
Lime Creek Fish and Game Club
Littleton Hookanliners
Wapsi Flyway

The Fontana Park Animals need YOUR help!  We need meat to fill our freezers.  Here is what we are looking for:- meat tha...
02/18/2026

The Fontana Park Animals need YOUR help! We need meat to fill our freezers.

Here is what we are looking for:
- meat that is less than four years old
- pork, venison, or beef
- chicken, fish, or turkey
- organ meat
- no seasoned or processed meat

If you are unable to donate meat see the QR Code to make a monetary donation. The donation will go to care directly for the animals at Fontana Park for more food, vet care, or enrichment!
Meat donations can be made during normal business hours Monday through Friday 8 am - 4:30 pm.

Address

1883 125th Street
Hazleton, IA
50641

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 12pm
Tuesday 8am - 12pm
Wednesday 8am - 12pm
1pm - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 12pm
1pm - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 12pm
1pm - 4:30pm
Saturday 1pm - 4pm
Sunday 1pm - 4pm

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