Conservator
February, 2021
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Pottawattamie Conservation User Fees & Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation Membership Fees to Change March 1st |
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Beginning March 1st, 2021 Pottawattamie Conservation park user fees including camping, daily entrance, Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation Memberships will be increasing. These fee increases are reflective of new & improved amenities and will assist Pottawattamie Conservation & the Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation in continuing our ambitious plans for additional park improvements.
2021 Camping Fees:
RV Electric & Water Sites at all Parks - $25.00 per night
*New for 2021 at Hitchcock Nature Center & coming soon to Arrowhead Park & Botna Bend Park
RV Electric Only Sites at all Parks - $20.00 per night
Tent Camping Sites at all Parks - $10.00 per tent per night
2021 Daily Entrance Fees:
Hitchcock Nature Center Daily Entrance Fee - $5.00 per vehicle per day
Botna Bend Park Daily Entrance Fee - $3.00 per vehicle per day
Arrowhead Park Daily Entrance Fee - $3.00 per vehicle per day
Narrows River Park Daily Entrance Fee - $3.00 per vehicle per day
2021 Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation Membership Levels:
Pottawattamie County Resident Annual Membership - $20.00 per year
Out of County Resident Annual Membership - $25.00 per year
- One 12-month park entrance permit valid at all Pottawattamie Conservation parks
- Half day boat or canoe rental at Arrowhead Park
- A subscription to our monthly e-newsletter
- Email notification of exclusive member’s only events
- A 10% discount on gift shop merchandise at the Loess Hills Lodge at Hitchcock Nature Center
Pottawattamie County Resident Family Membership - $50.00 per year
Out of County Resident Family Membership - $60.00 per year
- Includes all of the Annual Membership benefits
- One additional 12-month park entrance permit
- Two nights of RV camping or four nights of tent camping at Arrowhead Park, Botna Bend Park or Hitchcock Nature Center
Supporter Membership - $100.00 per year
- Includes all Annual & Family Membership benefits
- One-night camping cabin rental at Arrowhead Park or Hitchcock Nature Center
- Annual recognition in our e-newsletter & on our website
Current memberships will be honored through their expiration, all pricing changes will apply upon renewal of your current membership. For more information on the Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation, its mission & your membership please visit - www.pottawattamieconservationfoundation.com.
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2021 Summer Internships
Now Accepting Applications
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Seasonal internships with Pottawattamie Conservation are a great way to make a difference in the great outdoors while expanding your skills & experience. This summer we are looking for seasonal interns in three very different positions across the county. Applicants must be 18 or over & attending or planning to attend college with a conservation, ecology, biology, or education related degree field planned. Internships will run from approximately May 15th through August 15th depending on your availability & do include non-traditional work hours such as evenings & weekends. Take a look & get your application in today!
Park Ranger Internship
Assist our park rangers with day to day operations at each of our county parks. Responsibilities will include facility maintenance, groundskeeping, guest services, security, & more.
Natural Areas Management Internship
Assist our NAM department with land stewardship projects. Job duties include seed harvesting, trail maintenance, species inventories, construction projects, prescribed burns, invasive species management, & more.
Environmental Education Internship
Assist staff Naturalists with the creation, implementation, and presentation of environmental education programming including public programs, field trips, and youth summer camps. Additional duties include guest services, building maintenance, & more.
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Board of Supervisors Appoints Mathiasen to Pottawattamie County Conservation Board |
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The Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors have begun 2021 with a new appointment to the Pottawattamie County Conservation Board. They have named community leader Jerry Mathiasen to the five-member board. He was sworn in at the conservation board’s January 12 meeting.
Mathiasen is known for his leadership in philanthropy and public service. He retired as President and CEO of the Pottawattamie County Community Foundation and prior to that was Senior Vice President of the Iowa West Foundation. A native and resident of Council Bluffs, Mathiasen returned home following 14 years in Des Moines as part of then Governor Terry Branstad’s administration with much of that time serving as the governor’s deputy chief of staff.
Many nonprofits and governmental entities have benefitted from Mathiasen’s involvement. Currently he is in his tenth year on the State Terrace Hill Commission, is a member of the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Committee, and serves on the Dodge House Visioning Team. In addition, the Cindy and Jerry Mathiasen Family Fund at the community foundation donates to many local charities including the county’s Hitchcock Nature Center. Also, their yard in the loess hills of Council Bluffs is certified as a wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.
“We appreciate this appointment by the Board of Supervisors as Jerry’s longtime expertise in public service will be a real asset,” stated Mark Shoemaker, Executive Director of the Pottawattamie County Conservation Board.
“It is an honor to be selected by the Supervisors and help the conservation team with its mission to provide experiences with our county’s wonderful natural resources,” said Mathiasen.
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Arrowhead Park Modern Cabin Reservations Opening Soon! |
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Cottonwood Cabin Kitchen & Living Space |
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The long awaited modern cabins at Arrowhead Park are nearing completion. We are working out a few last minute details & anticipate opening reservations for these terrific amenities later this month.
Our Skyview Cabin is our largest new addition & will be reservable for $175.00 per night, fees & taxes not included. This cabin features great outdoor amenities including a firepit & grill as well as a deck & patio with views of the lake. Indoors you will find 4 bedrooms plus a loft providing accommodation for up to 12 people, a fireplace, 2 bathrooms with showers, & a finished basement for lots of space.
Our two new ranch style cabins, Cottonwood & Rustic Ridge, will be reservable for $165.00 per night, fees & taxes not included. These cabins also feature lovely views of our lake along with a grill, firepit, deck, & patio for outdoor enjoyment. Indoors you will find 3 bedrooms providing accommodation for up to 10 people, 2 bathrooms with showers, & a finished basement.
All three of our new cabins will also feature heat & air conditioning along with full kitchens to make your stay at Arrowhead Park even more comfortable.
Watch your email for a special announcement with more information coming very ... VERY SOON!
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Join us for A Land Ethic Workshop in 2021 |
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Join us as we kick off another season of "A Land Ethic Workshop" on Saturday, February 27th from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. This free, introductory program will be held entirely online.
Join instructor Ron Cisar as we celebrate the life & legacy of famous naturalist & philosopher Aldo Leopold. This free session is designed to introduce participants to our 10 month long programming series, "A Land Ethic Workshop" & will focus on Leopold's essay "Good Oak" from his classic work "A Sand County Almanac".
This is a free program designed to introduce participants to our 10 month long programming series, "A Land Ethic Workshop". Online pre-registration is required to attend.
A Land Ethic Workshop will be presented monthly, from March through December, & programs will be conducted online using the Zoom virtual meeting platform. These programs are intended for participants age 14 & over with an interest in the natural world, no experience or prior knowledge is required to participate & you do not have to attend every session to reap the benefits of this informative programming series. Participants may register for individual sessions or opt to attend all 2021 sessions. Individual sessions are $15.00 per person & our full programming series of 10 sessions is $75.00.
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Hikin' With a Nature Nerd
10:00 a.m.
February 12th
Botna Bend Park, Hancock
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Explore the unexplored corners of your county parks during this unique guided hike series. Read More ...
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Learn To: Snowshoe
2:00 p.m.
February 13th
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
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Learn the basics of snowshoeing during this hands-on program. Read More ...
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Lovebirds in Nature
5:00 p.m.
February 13th
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
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Enjoy the beauty & romance of nature in Iowa's Loess Hills. Read More ...
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Hikin' With a Nature Nerd
6:00 p.m.
February 23rd
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
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Explore the unexplored corners of your county parks during this unique guided hike series. Read More ...
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A Good Oak
9:00 a.m.
February 27th
Online Event
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Explore nature and philosophy during this free, introductory program. Read More ...
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Homeschool in the Hills: Maple Tree Tap
10:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.
March 2nd
Botna Bend Park, Hancock
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Maple syrup is tasty on your pancakes, learn how it's made at beautiful Botna Bend Park during this field trip program. Read More ...
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Homeschool in the Hills: Maple Tree Tap
10:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.
March 3rd
Botna Bend Park, Hancock
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Maple syrup is tasty on your pancakes, learn how it's made at beautiful Botna Bend Park during this field trip program. Read More ...
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Hikin' With a Nature Nerd
6:00 p.m.
March 3rd
Narrows River Park, Council Bluffs
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Explore the unexplored corners of your county parks during this unique guided hike series. Read More ...
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Little Tike Hike
6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Daily
March 6th - 15th
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
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Young learners will experience nature first-hand during this self-guided hike full of fun. Read More ...
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Maple Tree Tap
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
March 6th
Botna Bend Park, Hancock
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Learn about the process of tapping & processing maple syrup at beautiful Botna Bend Park. Read More ...
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