Johnson County Conservation

Johnson County Conservation Quality natural resource management, environmental education and outdoor recreation opportunities in Johnson County Iowa.
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Johnson County Conservation Board Vision:

The Vision of the Johnson County Conservation Board and Staff is a county where all citizens have access to natural areas, conservation/environmental education, and recreation opportunities; where the natural resources of the county are enhanced and protected; where conservation areas are restored and maintained at the highest standard, are safe, and sust

ain our mission of land conservation; and where this vision is accomplished through partnerships with various entities, interest groups, and individuals. Johnson County Conservation Board Mission:

The Mission of the Johnson County Conservation Board is to improve the quality of natural resources and native species for Johnson County residents through programs emphasizing conservation of natural resources, conservation education, and natural resource based recreation.

Have you been wanting to explore nature areas but don't know where to start? Are you curious about what flowers bloom th...
06/18/2026

Have you been wanting to explore nature areas but don't know where to start? Are you curious about what flowers bloom throughout summer?

The Wildflower Hike series aims to explore nature areas in Johnson County while enjoying the wildflowers throughout the summer season. While enjoying the wildflowers and nature area, learn about wildflower history and wildlife partners.

Hikes take place on Tuesdays from 9:00 - 10:30 AM at varying Johnson County locations. Registration is required.

Locations & Dates
Two Horse Farm — Tuesday, June 16th
Cangleska Wakan — Tuesday, June 23rd
Malinda Reif Reilly Fen and Prairie — Tuesday, June 30th
Frytown Conservation Area — Tuesday, July 7th
Ciha Fen — Tuesday, July 14th
Phebe Timber — Tuesday, July 21st
Cedar River Crossing — Tuesday, July 28th
Pechman Creek Delta — Tuesday, August 4th
F.W. Kent Park — Tuesday, August 11th

Register online by following the link here: https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Johnson/Events

06/17/2026

River Junction Access is closed to vehicular traffic until further notice. Rainfall in the Iowa and English River watersheds have resulted in rising River levels at River Junction. As a precaution the access will remain closed until River levels begin to fall and the River recedes.

What an absolutely beautiful day for the June Native Plant Sale at Kent Park! Grab some native plants from Troutleaf Nat...
06/14/2026

What an absolutely beautiful day for the June Native Plant Sale at Kent Park! Grab some native plants from Troutleaf Native Plants and better support wildlife at home. Check out the trails and prairie in bloom at Kent Park while you’re here.

📆 Sunday, June 14
⏰ 9 am - 1 pm
📍 Kent Park’s Conservation Education Center

This Saturday the CEC is open from 10-1 p.m. This month's second Saturday theme is Art in Nature, we have nature-based a...
06/12/2026

This Saturday the CEC is open from 10-1 p.m. This month's second Saturday theme is Art in Nature, we have nature-based art activities around our 1/2-mile loop and inside the CEC.

Activities include:
🌼Flower still life art
🌞Sidewalk chalk art
🌳Gnome home stick house
🐝Bug art with sticks
🍂And more...

All of this art is a form of ephemeral art. We are making it for the beauty it has in the present moment. By letting it go back into nature at the end we can help maintain a natural environment.

Don't forget to read the storybook on the trail. Zoo Zen will keep your body moving while you are creating art. Enjoy learning some new Yoga poses that relate to animals from around the world.

We hope to see you out this weekend!

River Junction Access is closed until further notice due to forecast river levels. Minor flooding is expected due to rec...
06/12/2026

River Junction Access is closed until further notice due to forecast river levels. Minor flooding is expected due to recent rainfall.

Do not enter floodwaters in a vehicle or on foot. Turn Around, Don't Drown. As little as 12-18 inches of water can wash away a vehicle, and just six inches can sweep a person off their feet.

Continue to monitor the Johnson County website page, social media, or download the JoCo Ready app for additional flood information and closures.

JoCo Ready is a free mobile app launched by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency to provide residents with real-time public safety and Emergency information. It is available on Google Play and the App Store. County officials will continue to monitor river levels and will provide updates as necessary. Stay safe and Get Outdoors!

Are you curious about the reptiles we have in Iowa? Or maybe just want to touch/hold a snake and feel a turtle shell? St...
06/11/2026

Are you curious about the reptiles we have in Iowa? Or maybe just want to touch/hold a snake and feel a turtle shell?

Stop by the Conservation Education Center in F.W. Kent Park to meet our resident reptile education animals and get a chance to ask questions about reptiles.

Meet and greets will take place between 2:00-3:00 PM. No registration is required, just drop-in while it's taking place.

The Fridays we have meet and greets are as follows:
Friday, June 12th
Friday, June 26th
Friday, July 10th
Friday, July 17th
Friday, July 24th
Friday, July 31st
Friday, August 7th
Friday, August 14th

On Wednesday evening, we gathered with over 200 individuals at Cangleska Wakan to close out our 5th annual Writing on th...
06/05/2026

On Wednesday evening, we gathered with over 200 individuals at Cangleska Wakan to close out our 5th annual Writing on the Environment project. Over the course of the school year, we worked with fourth grader students from five
Iowa City Community School District schools. Students explore the intersection of writing and the natural world. Through in-class workshops and hands-on field trips to our conservation sites, students explored Iowa ecosystems and learned about poetry, nonfiction writing, nature journaling, and writing as advocacy.

90 student works were then published in this year’s student anthology. Wednesday evening’s event gave published students the chance to read their work aloud to a supportive audience of friends, family, and school staff. Students also got to share the beautiful park space where their field trip had taken place.

This morning we dropped off the last of the 2026 Writing on the Environment anthologies to schools on the last day of school. We are grateful to our partner schools and teachers and feel inspired by each of the young people who participated. This year’s program was made possible with support from Troutleaf Native Plants and in coordination with the Friends of Johnson County Conservation.

Address

2048 Highway 6 NW
Oxford, IA
52322

Telephone

+13196452315

Website

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