Clay County Conservation Board

06/22/2026

Over the past few weeks, I've had the pleasure of spending time with the wonderful residents of Riverview Terrace Assisted Living.

A few weeks ago, I visited Riverview Terrace for my first presentation as the new Clay County Naturalist. We explored animal adaptations and discussed how Iowa wildlife survives and thrives in different environments. Residents had the opportunity to examine pelts, animal feet, and other wildlife artifacts while learning about the unique adaptations that help animals find food, stay warm, and move through their habitats.

Last week, the group visited the newly opened Oneota Environmental Learning Center for a tour of the facility. After exploring the exhibits and learning about future programs, everyone enjoyed some pizza and had the opportunity to meet one of our Nature Center ambassador animals, a fox snake!

One of my favorite parts of being a naturalist is connecting people of all ages with nature, and it was wonderful to see so much curiosity, conversation, and enthusiasm during both visits.

Thank you to the residents and staff at Riverview Terrace for spending time with us. We look forward to many more visits and adventures together!

- Trinity, Clay County Naturalist

06/17/2026

The Stub Johnson Family Equestrian Area trail near Spencer is officially open again as of June 16, 2026.

The trail was closed last year due to wet conditions, but now we can once again enjoy this scenic half-mile trail. Please note that the trail will remain open weather permitting, so conditions may change throughout the season.

There is one small section of the trail that is a little rough, but during our work on the trail we discovered what might be the perfect sitting rocks if you need a quick break along the way!

We're excited and look forward to seeing the trail being enjoyed again this season.

06/17/2026

Last night, we had a great time welcoming members of the Clay County 4-H program out to Oneota Park for an evening of archery, air rifles, and axe throwing!

The group did an outstanding job learning new skills, practicing safe shooting techniques, and building confidence with each activity.

Between our summer camps, programs, and other shooting sports opportunities, Clay County kids are going to be shooting experts before long! It's been amazing to see so many young people getting involved, improving their skills, and developing a strong appreciation for outdoor recreation.

Thank you to the Clay County 4-H members and leaders who joined us. We look forward to seeing many of you again at future Clay County Conservation programs.

06/16/2026

Registration is now open for our July Little Explorers programs!
Join us on July 13 at the Oneota Environmental Learning Center for a morning of hands-on nature exploration designed specifically for young children and their caregivers.

**Tiny Trekkers**
Ages 1-3 (must be attended by an adult)
9:00-10:00 a.m.
Pond Pals: Dive into the fascinating world of Iowa's ponds through sensory play, water-based activities, and hands-on exploration. Young explorers will discover some of the amazing plants and animals that call ponds home and finish the program by meeting a Nature Center critter.

**Little Naturalists**
Ages 3-6 (must be attended by an adult)
10:00-11:30 a.m.
Water Wonders: Explore Northwest Iowa's waterways through hands-on activities, water play, and nature discovery. We'll investigate what lives in and around our local waters before wrapping up the morning with a Nature Center critter interaction.

And don't worry, there is no pond swimming involved in either program! We'll be staying safely on shore while learning about aquatic habitats through fun, age-appropriate activities. These programs are free, but registration is required. We can't wait to explore the wonderful world of water with our newest little adventurers!

For more information and registration, visit
www.claycountyparks.com or www.mycountyparks.com. Under the Events tab for Clay County. Childcare centers, in-home providers, and other larger groups interested in scheduling a program are encouraged to contact Clay County Naturalist Trinity Atkins.

06/16/2026

To celebrate the opening of the Oneota Environmental Learning Center, we are excited to announce our new monthly early childhood programs! These free programs are designed to help young children connect with nature through sensory exploration, hands-on discovery, stories, movement, outdoor adventures, and even Nature Center critter interactions.

Tiny Trekkers:
Ages 1-3 with an adult
9:00-10:00 a.m.
Monthly program - Designed specifically for our youngest explorers, Tiny Trekkers focuses on sensory play, nature discovery, movement, and outdoor experiences that encourage curiosity and exploration.

Little Naturalists
Ages 3-6 with an adult
10:00-11:30 a.m.
Monthly program - Little Naturalists gives preschool-aged children the opportunity to investigate nature through games, crafts, stories, nature walks, critter encounters, and hands-on activities.

Both programs are free and require an adult to attend with the child. Programs will be held once each month at the Oneota Environmental Learning Center and Clay County parks. We'll be announcing our July programs and registration information soon! We can't wait to help the next generation of explorers discover the wonders of nature!

For more information and registration, visit
www.claycountyparks.com or www.mycountyparks.com. Under the Events tab for Clay County

Childcare centers, in-home providers, and other larger groups interested in scheduling a program are encouraged to contact Clay County Naturalist Trinity Atkins.

06/16/2026

What an incredible day for Clay County Conservation and our community!

Today, we officially celebrated the Grand Opening of the Oneota Environmental Learning Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony surrounded by community members, partners, supporters, staff, and volunteers who helped make this vision a reality.

The Oneota Environmental Learning Center was created to be a place where people of all ages can connect with nature through hands-on learning, exploration, and discovery. Seeing so many people walk through the doors, tour the facility, explore the exhibits, and share in the excitement made today truly special.

Thank you to everyone who attended, supported the project, and helped us celebrate this milestone. We are excited to begin filling the learning center with school programs, summer camps, community events, family activities, and opportunities for people to connect with the natural world.

This is just the beginning, and we can't wait to share what's ahead.

06/15/2026

06/15/2026

This week, we wrapped up our second Shooting Sports Camp at Oneota Park, and it was another great morning outdoors!

One of the most exciting parts of this week's camp was seeing every camper from last week's camp return to do it again! It was wonderful to watch their confidence grow and see how much they improved in archery, air rifles, and axe throwing after just one week of practice. We also welcomed several new campers and enjoyed watching them develop their skills throughout the morning as well.

The beautiful weather made for a perfect day to be outside, and the campers did an outstanding job. Their focus, determination, and willingness to learn were impressive, and it was rewarding to see everyone challenge themselves and celebrate their successes.

One of my favorite parts of the day was watching the campers push themselves to try new things during the second half of camp. As their confidence grew, many began aiming for different parts of the animal targets instead of just the center, testing their accuracy and challenging themselves in new ways.

I'm sharing lots of photos from today's camp because these kids truly earned it. They worked hard, supported one another, and had a great time doing it.

Thank you to all the campers and families who joined us. We loved spending another week with you and hope to see you again at future Clay County Conservation programs!

— Trinity Atkins, Clay County Naturalist

06/15/2026

Tomorrow is the Day!

The wait is almost over. Join us tomorrow as we celebrate the Grand Opening of the Oneota Environmental Learning Center.

Tuesday, June 16
9:30 a.m.
Oneota Environmental Learning Center
420 10th Ave SE, Spencer, IA

The celebration will include:
• Ribbon-cutting ceremony
• Guided tours of the facility and grounds
• Interactive environmental education exhibits
• Family-friendly activities and nature exploration
• Meet the staff, volunteers, and community partners
• Refreshments and fellowship

Whether you've been following the project from the beginning or are just hearing about it now, we'd love to have you join us. Come walk through the new learning center, explore the exhibits, meet the staff, and say hello. This is a great opportunity to see the facility, learn about future programs and events, and celebrate this exciting addition to Clay County.

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

06/11/2026

Have you heard about the new Oneota Environmental Learning Center?

In this video, Clay County Conservation Board Director shares what this exciting new facility means for our community and how it will serve as a destination for environmental education, outdoor recreation, and lifelong learning for years to come.

The Oneota Environmental Learning Center was created to inspire curiosity, connect people with nature, and provide hands-on learning opportunities for all ages. From school programs and summer camps to community events and conservation education, the center will be a place where people can explore, discover, and build a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

We invite you to join us for the Grand Opening Celebration on Tuesday, June 16, at 9:30 a.m. at the Oneota Environmental Learning Center, located at 420 10th Ave. SE in Spencer.