Dubuque County Conservation

Dubuque County Conservation https://www.eventbrite.com/d/united-states--iowa/dubuque-county-conservation/

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The mission of the Dubuque County Conservation Board is to create a network of high-quality parks, habitats, trails, and water supported by communities passionate about nature.

Here are some of the people who keep Fillmore Fairways swinging all summer! Our seasonal team at Fillmore Fairways inclu...
08/16/2026

Here are some of the people who keep Fillmore Fairways swinging all summer! Our seasonal team at Fillmore Fairways includes several retirees who spend their summers helping care for one of Dubuque County’s favorite public golf courses. And this year, they stepped up in an even bigger way.

When the course found itself short-handed during one of the busiest stretches of the season, they jumped in wherever they were needed to help keep things moving. Golf course management is no small task. From mowing and course care to irrigation, equipment, and all the unexpected things that come with keeping a golf course in great condition, there is always something to fix, adjust, or figure out.

This photo is a perfect example. When the sprinkler system needed attention, they didn't hesitate to dive in and get to work. We’re incredibly grateful for the experience, flexibility, and willingness to pitch in that this crew brings to Fillmore Fairways.

And now that you know who's helping keep the course in shape...Come see it for yourself!

Fillmore Fairways is a scenic 9-hole public golf course with three sets of tees, tree-lined fairways, rolling terrain, large greens, and White Water Creek coming into play on two holes. Plus, the park offers camping, picnic areas, playgrounds, and two reservable pavilions—making it a great place to spend more than just a few hours.

📍 Just 4 miles east of Cascade on Highway 151

Grab your clubs and come play a round at Fillmore Fairways!

Tonight's Sunset Bat County is Cancelled.
08/14/2026

Tonight's Sunset Bat County is Cancelled.

More than a trail... it's a wildlife highway.The Heritage Trail isn't just 26 miles of scenic hiking and biking. It's on...
08/14/2026

More than a trail... it's a wildlife highway.

The Heritage Trail isn't just 26 miles of scenic hiking and biking. It's one of the most important wildlife corridors in Dubuque County. This continuous ribbon of forests, prairies, wetlands, and streams allows wildlife to safely move across the landscape in search of food, water, shelter, and mates.

These young fawns are just a few of the many wild neighbors that call the trail home.
Over the years, we've seen:
+ Our famous black bear
+ Bobcats
+ Indigo buntings and countless migratory birds
+ Raccoons
+ Geese
+ White-tailed deer
+ Otters
…and so much more.
These wildlife spotting moments are part of what makes the Heritage Trail such a special place. Have you ever had a memorable wildlife encounter along the Heritage Trail? We'd love to hear about it in the comments!

The work you don’t always see is what keeps our parks running! Our seasonal interns and permanent staff are busy behind ...
08/12/2026

The work you don’t always see is what keeps our parks running! Our seasonal interns and permanent staff are busy behind the scenes all summer doing the jobs that make your next camping trip, picnic, or park visit a little better. They mow and maintain park grounds, clean bathrooms, empty fire rings, clean grills, reset pavilions, and tackle all the little things that can easily go unnoticed but would definitely be noticed if they weren't done.

And their work goes beyond routine maintenance. This summer, our interns have also helped:
+ Install fish habitat structures at Locher Lake
+ Assist with banding the Peregrine Falcons at the Dubuque County Courthouse
+ Kayak the Mississippi River as part of a tourism marketing project
+And learn firsthand what it takes to care for Dubuque County's parks and natural areas

The photo here? Just another day at Swiss Valley Park getting a grill ready for the next group enjoying the Sycamore Pavilion. So the next time you arrive at a clean campsite, find an empty fire ring, step into a freshly cleaned restroom, or settle into pavilion, remember there are people working behind the scenes to make it happen.

We're grateful for the energy, hard work, and curiosity our interns bring to Dubuque County Conservation.

Native doesn’t have to mean messy.These photos are a great example of what a well-designed pocket prairie can look like ...
08/11/2026

Native doesn’t have to mean messy.

These photos are a great example of what a well-designed pocket prairie can look like in one of the toughest places in a neighborhood landscape—the boulevard planting strip (the area between the sidewalk and the curb).

Think about what that little strip experiences:
+Extra heat from surrounding pavement
+Salt from roads and sidewalks
+Compacted soil from traffic and car doors
+Frequent visits from neighborhood dogs

And yet… with the right native plants and a little care, it can become a thriving, attractive planting that supports butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.

One of the biggest misconceptions we hear is: “If I go native, my yard will look weedy.” It can look wild and natural—but it can also be orderly, intentional, colorful, and beautifully maintained, just like any other garden bed.

Native plants are not “no-maintenance” plants. They are lower-maintenance plants. Because they evolved in our region, they are generally better adapted to Iowa’s weather, soils, and seasonal extremes. That often means:
✔ Less watering ✔ Less fertilizer ✔ Less mowing ✔ Less long-term upkeep

And no—you don’t have to convert your entire yard. Just think about those spaces you don't use. We all have them. A typical Mowing to Monarchs pocket prairie is only about 125 square feet. A small space really can make a difference.

In a state where less than 1% of Iowa’s original prairie remains, every boulevard strip, every pocket prairie, and every native planting helps reconnect habitat for monarchs, native bees, and countless other species.

Small space. Big impact. Apply now for your free pocket prairie: https://www.dubuquecountyiowa.gov/553/Mowing-to-Monarchs

Want to see one for yourself? Go on the pocket prairie tour tomorrow: https://www.facebook.com/share/18xJfXNwJ1/

Apply now for a FREE Oak tree!One native oak can support hundreds of species of caterpillars, pollinators, birds, squirr...
08/10/2026

Apply now for a FREE Oak tree!

One native oak can support hundreds of species of caterpillars, pollinators, birds, squirrels, deer, turkeys, fungi, lichens, and countless other organisms. Few trees give back more to wildlife than an oak. The Bur Oak acorns and Red Oak leaves in these photos are reminders that every mighty oak begins small—but can provide shade, wildlife habitat, cleaner air, beautiful fall color, and a lasting legacy for generations.

Through Canopy for All, approved Dubuque County residents receive:
+A FREE native tree
+A watering kit
+Mulch
+Planting guidance and education

If you’ve been thinking about planting a tree that truly makes a difference, this is a great place to start. Applications are open now:
🔗 https://dubuquecountyiowa.gov/814/Canopy-For-All

When your Intern brings in a snake skin and your Admin Assistant becomes the official measuring tape…Turns out this shed...
08/08/2026

When your Intern brings in a snake skin and your Admin Assistant becomes the official measuring tape…Turns out this shed skin is a tad over 5 feet long — officially longer than our administrative assistant is tall!

Before you start imagining giant monster snakes hiding in Dubuque County parks, remember:
+A shed snake skin often stretches longer than the snake itself, so the actual snake was likely a bit shorter than this impressive skin suggests.
+Shedding is a completely normal and lifelong process for snakes. They regularly remove old, worn skin and replace it with a fresh new layer that helps keep their scales healthy and functioning properly.
+ The length alone doesn’t determine how often a snake sheds. Age, growth rate, diet, and overall health all play a role.

And snakes aren’t the only animals that do this! All animals including humans shed skin. The difference is that most species lose tiny flakes continuously, while snakes shed a large outer layer all at once, making the process much easier to notice.

So the next time you find a snake skin on a trail, remember: it’s not a sign of danger it’s simply evidence that a snake got a fresh new outfit as their skin was getting a wee bit tight.

A FREE native tree, A watering kit, Mulch + Guidance on tree planting and careTrees do more than beautify a landscape. ...
08/06/2026

A FREE native tree, A watering kit, Mulch + Guidance on tree planting and care

Trees do more than beautify a landscape. They provide shade, reduce stormwater runoff, improve air quality, support birds and pollinators, and become part of a community’s legacy.

The best time to plant a tree may have been years ago. The next best time is this season.

Applications are open now for Canopy for All.

Learn more and apply here: 🔗 https://dubuquecountyiowa.gov/814/Canopy-For-All

08/04/2026

Applications are open now!

Butterflies, native bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators are searching for places to feed and nest and your property could become part of the solution.
Learn how Mowing to Monarchs helps Dubuque County residents transform ordinary turf grass into beautiful, low-maintenance pocket prairies filled with native plants.

✔ Free native plants ✔ Step-by-step support ✔ Designed for homeowners, businesses, schools, and organizations

🌼 Watch the video, get inspired, and submit your application before spots fill.
Apply here: https://www.dubuquecountyiowa.gov/553/Mowing-to-Monarchs

Can you tell the difference?The Dubuque County parks are home to two blackberries, and while they may look similar at fi...
07/31/2026

Can you tell the difference?

The Dubuque County parks are home to two blackberries, and while they may look similar at first glance, they're are a bit different.

Black Raspberry--Usually ripens in June
✔ Smaller berries
✔ Sweeter flavor
✔ Turns green → red → deep purple/black
✔ Pulls away from the plant hollow, leaving the core behind (just like store-bought raspberries)

Wild Blackberry--Ripens in late July/ August
✔ Larger berries—often twice the size
✔ More tart and seedy
✔ Contains a solid white core (called the pith) inside the fruit
✔ Excellent for jams, pies, cobblers, and other baked treats

Both the sweet Black Raspberry and the hearty Wild Blackberry will be featured as seasonal ingredients during our upcoming Wild Harvest Dinner this September. Together, we'll explore the landscape while enjoying dishes inspired by the wild foods and plants that make Northeast Iowa unique. It's a chance to taste the flavors of the season while learning about the incredible plants growing all around us. Don't delay as this event sells out. Get your tickets today: https://givebutter.com/wild-harvest-dinner-copy-1917xo

Address

13606 Swiss Valley Road
Peosta, IA
52068

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 3:30pm
Tuesday 7am - 3:30pm
Wednesday 7am - 3:30pm
Thursday 7am - 3:30pm
Friday 7am - 3:30pm
Saturday 10am - 2pm
Sunday 10am - 2pm

Telephone

+15635566745

Website

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