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News & Blog: Land Management

Keep up-to-date with the latest news and blog entries from Pottawattamie Conservation! For even more news and updates, sign up for our e-Newsletter!

The History of the Hills at Mt. Crescent

Mt. Crescent’s history is one of people and their relationship with the land. Humans have directly shaped the biological communities, their systemic ecological drivers, and even the physical topography of these hills themselves since their formation.

2/12/2024
Aric Ping, Natural Resource Technician
Conservation, Land Management, Mt. Crescent Ski Area

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Pottawattamie Conservation Now Hiring Summer Interns

We're looking to add some budding conservationists to our team this summer.

12/26/2023
Kylie Jacott, Promotions & Outreach Coordinator
Conservation, Environmental Education, Land Management, News

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Saving America One Invasive Species at a Time

For many of us, this time of year is for family vacations, poolside hangouts, backyard fun, and Fourth of July celebrations. For our Natural Areas Management team and interns, it marks the season for battling some of our area’s toughest invasive species.

6/29/2023
Kylie Jacott, Promotions & Outreach Coordinator
Conservation, Land Management, Summer

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Volunteer Spotlight: Shawn Gives Back by Getting His Hands Dirty

Join us as we shine a light on Pottawattamie Conservation volunteers to thank them for their time and talents and recognize the difference they make in our community. Our volunteers ROCK!

6/5/2023
Dana Kruse, Volunteer & Facilities Coordinator
Conservation, Land Management, Volunteering

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Randi Shares Her Experience As a Teacher Extern

We were so happy to host local Treynor educator Randi last summer for a teacher externship sponsored by STEM Iowa. Learn more about her experience:

5/24/2023
Randi Endriss, Talented and Gifted Instructor with Treynor Community School District
Conservation, Environmental Education, Land Management, Summer

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Volunteer Spotlight: Francis Rolls Up His Sleeves for Conservation

Join us as we shine a light on Pottawattamie Conservation volunteers to thank them for their time and talents and recognize the difference they make in our community. Our volunteers ROCK!

4/12/2023
Dana Kruse, Volunteer & Facilities Coordinator
Conservation, Land Management, Loess Hills, Volunteering

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Farm Creek Improvements Support Local Wildlife, Benefit Hunters

Natural Resource Technician Jeremy shares how prairie restoration, edge feathering, and invasive species management are creating an oasis for wildlife and humans alike at Farm Creek Public Wildlife Area.

3/28/2023
Jeremy Yost, Natural Resource Technician
Conservation, Healing Home, Hunting, Land Management, Pheasants Forever

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Pottawattamie Conservation Now Hiring Summer Interns & Park Aides

We're looking to add some budding conservationists to our team this summer!

1/31/2023
Kylie Jacott, Promotions & Outreach Coordinator
Arrowhead Park, Botna Bend Park, Conservation, Environmental Education, Habitat Areas, Hitchcock Nature Center, Land Management, Narrows River Park, News, Our Staff, Summer

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Burning Bridges

Sometimes burning bridges is just what the land doctor ordered! Learn about the benefits that growing season prescribed fire can provide and how it helps manage invasive species like sweet clover.

7/5/2022
Aric Ping, Natural Resource Technician
Conservation, Environmental Education, Land Management, Loess Hills

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Red, White, and Blue…And Sweet Clover

For many of us, this time of year is for family vacations, poolside hangouts, backyard fun, and Fourth of July celebrations. For our Natural Areas Management team and interns, it marks the season for battling one of our area’s toughest invasive species to manage: yellow and white sweet clover.

6/28/2022
Kylie Jacott, Promotions & Outreach Coordinator
Conservation, Land Management, Summer

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What Are Oak Tatters?

This year oak leaves seem to be thriving, and it might be thanks to a rainy May.

6/2/2022
Jeremy Yost, Natural Resource Technician
Conservation, Land Management, Spring

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Cattle: A Double-edged Sward…

We recently introduced local cattle grazers into Hitchcock Nature Center! Learn more about why these important workers are here from one of our Natural Resource Technicians, Aric.

4/20/2022
Aric Ping, Natural Resource Technician
Conservation, Hitchcock Nature Center, Land Management, News

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Join us for a Hitch Hike this Summer

Want to learn more about the trails at Hitchcock Nature Center? Join us for a Hitch Hike this summer & get the guided experience.

4/29/2021
Conservation, Environmental Education, Events, Family Fun, Hiking, Hitchcock Nature Center, Land Management, Loess Hills, Native Animals, Native Plants, Summer

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Litter Busters!

Learn the intrepid tale of the Dump Busters and continue the legacy by busting some litter at Hitchcock Nature Center for Earth Day!

4/16/2021
Rene Stroud, Naturalist
Conservation, Environmental Education, Events, Family Fun, Green Thumbs, Hiking, Hitchcock Nature Center, Holidays, Land Management, Loess Hills, Native Animals, Native Plants, Our Staff, Spring, Volunteering, Zero Waste

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Winter Days & Squirrel Dreys

2/26/2021
Amy Campagna, Environmental Education Coordinator
Conservation, Land Management, Native Animals

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Monarchs, Apples & the Law

Thistles have an important part to play in the life of a monarch butterfly.

2/19/2021
Jeff Franco, Deputy Director
Conservation, Environmental Education, Habitat Areas, Land Management, Loess Hills, Native Animals, Native Plants

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Explore the Rhythm of Nature with A Land Ethic Workshop in 2021

Anyone with a passion for the great outdoors is in for a treat with A Land Ethic Workshop.

2/16/2021
Conservation, Environmental Education, Events, Land Management, Loess Hills, Native Animals, Native Plants

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Winter Tree Identification: Part 1

Trees are easiest to identify by their leaves. So how do you identify a tree species in winter? We have the answer!

2/5/2021
Rene Stroud, Naturalist
Conservation, Family Fun, Hiking, Land Management, Loess Hills, Native Plants

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What's on the Menu for Winter Wildlife

What do animals eat during the cold winter months? Find out what's on the menu!

1/8/2021
Conservation, Land Management, Loess Hills, Native Animals, Native Plants

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When a Tree Falls in the Woods

Take a walk with Naturalist Michelle Biodrowski & find out what actually happens when a tree falls in the woods.

11/25/2020
Conservation, Hiking, Land Management, Native Plants

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Fauna Feature: Virginia Opossum

Opossums are North America's only marsupial. Learn more about these often misunderstood animals.

11/4/2020
Environmental Education Staff
Conservation, Land Management, Loess Hills, Native Animals

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Blackbird Marsh Experiences Fish Kill

A perfect storm of conditions leads to large fish kill event at Blackbird Marsh.

9/30/2020
Conservation, Land Management, News

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Fauna Feature: Little Wood-Satyr

These soft brown butterflies might not be the most showy insects but they have a beauty all their own, get to know the Little Wood-Satyr.

9/18/2020
Malena Brotherson, Environmental Education Intern
Conservation, Hiking, Land Management, Loess Hills, Native Animals

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Go Wild For Conservation in 2020!

Join in the fun September 17th through October 1st & show your support for the Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation & Pottawattamie Conservation.

9/14/2020
Conservation, Events, Land Management, Native Animals, Native Plants, News

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Plant Family Focus: Asteraceae

Get to know the Asteraceae family, the largest flowering plant family.

9/10/2020
Malena Brotherson & Kristen Yost, Environmental Education Interns
Conservation, Green Thumbs, Hiking, Land Management, Loess Hills, Native Plants

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Milkweed & Monarchs

Milkweed is essential for monarch butterfly survival. Learn more about this amazing plant & ways you can help support monarch populations.

9/1/2020
Malena Brotherson, Environmental Education Intern
Conservation, Green Thumbs, Homeschool, Land Management, Loess Hills, Native Animals, Native Plants

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Busy Bumble Bees

Bumble Bees are a fuzzy friend on our summer flowers each year. Learn more about these social insects & ways you can help protect them.

8/27/2020
Kristen Yost, 2020 Environmental Education Intern
Conservation, Land Management, Loess Hills, Native Animals

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Flora Feature: Ironweed

Pretty in purple, Ironweed is a common late summer flower in southwest Iowa.

8/13/2020
Kristen Yost, 2020 Environmental Education Intern
Conservation, Green Thumbs, Hiking, Land Management, Loess Hills, Native Plants

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Trail Maintenance with the Loess Hills Nordic Ski Patrol

UPDATE 5/19/2020 LHNSP personnel & Hitchcock Nature Center staff have made the decision to cancel our Third Annual Trails Day event originally scheduled for May 30th. We hope to bring you another volunteer work day in the future. Thank you for your support.

5/1/2020
Conservation, Events, Hitchcock Nature Center, Land Management, Loess Hills, Volunteering

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Loess Hills Cooperative Burn Week 2019

This spring 81 participants from 34 agencies and organizations took part in the Loess Hills Cooperative Burn Week April 29th - May 3rd.

6/19/2019
Our Staff, Land Management, Conservation, Loess Hills

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Fire Refresher Training: March 19th

Prior to Euro-American settlement, fire was a regular occurrence throughout the Great Plains and helped to maintain the health of our natural systems.  In the modern age, land managers utilizing fire must be proficient and thus must train regularly. 

3/5/2019
Our Staff, Training, Land Management, Hitchcock Nature Center, Events

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Love the Land During our Introduction to Land Management Program

Do you have a passion for conservation and a desire to learn more about sustainable land management practices & conservation? Well we have a great program for you! All members of the public including students of all ages, land owners, conservation enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers, and anyone interested in learning responsible land management practices are invited to join us at Hitchcock Nature Center for our 2018 Introduction to Land Management program. All experience levels are encouraged to attend this 6 session programming series.

5/24/2018
Hitchcock Nature Center, Events, Conservation, Land Management, Training

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