Hitchcock Oak Inventory Training

The sprawling mighty oak tree remains a symbol of the American Midwest but a new, swift, and little understood disease has recently emerged in our area with the potential to eliminate these iconic trees from our landscape. Join us at Hitchcock Nature Center on April 20th on at 7:00 p.m. for the first of three training sessions for a volunteer project aimed at understanding and alleviating the effects of this new threat.

Training sessions will cover a variety of topics & include field training sessions to help volunteers practice their skills & become independent project volunteers. Topics covered will include the project & field data collection app, oak ecology, & oak fire wounds. Portions of the training will occur out of doors and off-trail, so please dress appropriately.

Participants will need to provide their own smartphone for data collection and must be willing to download and install the project and data collection application for use. The app is available for both iPhone & Android users. Participants are also asked to dress for the weather including appropriate footwear for outdoor terrain. A notebook, water bottle, and snack are also recommended.

Due to the paperwork needed to register new participants, we are asking that interested parties register online in advance. For questions not answered online please call 712-545-3283. 

There is no fee to attend these training sessions & participants do not need to purchase a park entry pass. We appreciate your volunteer service.

Due to COVID-19 the format of this program has been adjusted. 

• 6-foot distance will be maintained between individuals/family groups
• Masks requested while inside and when distancing is impossible outside
• This program will be held primarily outdoors
• Staff will wear masks when 6-foot distance is not possible or indoors
• Maximum registration has been reduced
• Participants must sign a participation waiver upon arrival

This event is not pet friendly. Please meet at the Loess Hills Lodge.

About the Hitchcock Oak Inventory Project

Pottawattamie County Conservation's Hitchcock Oak Inventory Project (HIOP) is a truly original volunteer-led citizen science effort. The project aims to support researchers' efforts to better understand the dramatic decline and mortality of oaks observed throughout our region. Additionally the project helps ensure that current and future generations of oaks remain part of the Hitchcock Nature Center landscape through volunteer-led protection & planting.

2021 HIOP Training Sessions

Tuesday, April 20th - 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, June 29th - 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 14th - 7:00 p.m.

Training sessions will be held at Hitchcock Nature Center & will be approximately 2 hours long.

While the project will benefit most from dedicated participants project volunteers are not required to attend all three sessions, though it is recommended. Hitchcock Oak Inventory Project participants are asked to register as volunteers of Pottawattamie County Conservation, including a background check & complete necessary participation waivers.

Participants should note this project will require pedestrian travel over difficult terrain. Accordingly, this project may be challenging for young children and those with restricted mobility.

The Hitchcock Oak Inventory Project is proudly funded by the Resource Enhancement and Protection Conservation Education Program (REAP CEP).