Dallas County Conservation Board

08/31/2026

The Prairie Awakening Prairie Awoke Celebration is just a few weeks away and we want to make sure everyone's dressed and ready for the traditional songs, dances, and stories that will fill Kuehn Conservation Area's prairies! This year’s t-shirt design reflects the 2026 theme of the celebration: Mitakuye Oyasin, We Are All Related - inspired by the physical and symbolic aspects of the tipi, which reflects that interconnectedness.

👕Here is the link to purchase your t-shirts: https://www.ordergroupwear.com/dallas_county_conservation_/shop/home
A portion of each t-shirt sale will go towards supporting future celebrations.
✔There will only be a few shirts available the day of the celebration, so be sure to order ahead!

🦋Visit our website to learn more about this t-shirt design and this year's Prairie Awakening Prairie Awoke Celebration.

08/31/2026

A moment worth remembering. ❤️ We’re still celebrating the reopening of the Lighted Bridge and the incredible community effort that brought it back. Thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered, advocated, and helped make the Bridge Is Back possible.

08/30/2026

Name something better than an Iowa sunset in the fall... ☀️🌾
An Iowa sunset over Jane's Prairie!
September 30th at 6:00 PM, make plans to join DCCB and Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation staff for an evening prairie seed harvest at Kuehn Conservation Area. The story of Jane's Prairie will be shared from restoration to Dallas County Conservation's continued work. All ages welcomed! 12 & under must be accompanied by an adult.
Participants should plan on wearing long pants and closed toe shoes. Gloves will be available but participants are encouraged to bring their own.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sunset-prairie-seed-harvest-tickets-1997451713846?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

08/30/2026

Forest Park Museum & Arboretum - 14581 K Avenue, Perry, Iowa
Open Sundays 1pm-4pm - FREE ADMISSION
Live animal ambassadors, Hastie Hall and Baldwin Hall exhibits, plus restored buildings surrounded by the arboretum trees and prairie trails! Come catch a glimpse of Iowa's past!

08/29/2026

Two Weeks until Prairie Awakening / Prairie Awoke Celebration!
Saturday, September 12 from 10am-7pm
Kuehn Conservation Area
SCHEDULE:
10:00-Ethnobotany Prairie Hike with Bob Myers
10:00-12:00 Adult and children’s games and crafts, flint knapping demonstration,
grinding corn, making prayer ties
12:00-TnT Food Truck will be on site with hamburgers, walking tacos, quesadilla chicken and more.
1:00-Grand Entry
1:30 Many Moccasins Dance Troupe
2:30 Monarch release, Brown Otter Drum, World Champion Hoop Dancer Dallas Chief and daughter Jasmine, release of rehabilitated raptor, and intertribal dancing
5:00-7:00 Dallas Chief Eagle bonfire and stories
Free and open to the public! More information & register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/dallas-county-conservation-board-39763740303

08/28/2026

Two Weeks until Monarch Gathering begins!
Friday, September 11 from 4pm-7pm join a Naturalist to help collect butterflies and learn more about their incredible migration and the impact they have had on the people they pass by. The gathered butterflies will be released during Saturday’s Prairie Awakening / Prairie Awoke event! FREE and open to the public!
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/dallas-county-conservation-board-39763740303

08/27/2026

Getting outdoors and getting your hands dirty and your feet wet is good for the soul! Discover the wonders of nature in Dallas County Nature, Parks, and Conservation Areas. We have trails to hike, bike and paddle as well as creeks and forests to walk. You never know what you might see outdoors in Iowa ... during ANY season! Explore on your own or join one of our many programs. You an check out the entire list on our Eventbrite page - https://www.eventbrite.com/o/dallas-county-conservation-board-39763740303.
We hope to see you out here!

08/26/2026

A new structure at Voas Nature Area, Minburn, Iowa is in progress! The new shelter will provide much needed protection from rain and sun during the upcoming busy field trip season, as well as for other events and programming offered by Dallas County Conservation naturalists. Managed by Dallas County Conservation Board, Voas Nature Area includes trails for hiking, public restroom facilities, scheduled programming for families, schools, scouts and other interested groups. There is also an educational museum on-site highlighting geology of Dallas County, Iowa (open by appointment during the fall). For more information or to book a field trip or group visit contact us at 515-465-3577.

08/25/2026

Thank you to all who supported the reconstruction effort and the rededication of the Adel Lighted Bridge on Iowa's . It took real community commitment to bring the bridge back into use - and we did it together. The BRIDGE IS BACK! Thousands will now once again be able to safely walk, ride, roll, or simply wander the miles along the trail, and cross this iconic structure that beautifully connects Adel to the many miles of additional rail trails across Iowa.

08/25/2026