Conservator
September, 2020
Go Wild For Conservation in 2020
Show Your Support September 17th through October 1st
This year, the Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation’s Go Wild For Conservation event is going virtual! Starting on September 17th and ending on October 1st, you’ll have the chance to support your Pottawattamie County parks through online giving while learning more about Pottawattamie Conservation.

Each night, event participants will have the opportunity to watch interviews with PCF board members and Pottawattamie Conservation staff and view videos detailing what your contributions will help support in your parks. In addition, Pottawattamie Conservation will unveil four videos produced by nationally recognized videographer Jon Hustead that will give a behind the scenes look at Pottawattamie Conservation’s staff and mission.

Raffle winners will be announced throughout the event so be sure to tune in nightly to catch all the action and to see if you won the grand prize, a two night reservation in all five brand new cabins at Pottawattamie Conservation’s Arrowhead Park, valued at over $1,200! Participants earn 1 entry for every $25.00 they donate so the more you donate the more chances you have to win! Online donations will open soon.

We’ll see you on the Wild side!
LHNSP Fall Season Begins at Hitchcock Nature Center
Next time you visit Hitchcock Nature Center for a hike or an event you may see our friends, the Loess Hills Nordic Ski Patrol on site offering assistance.

This volunteer service organization is based at Hitchcock Nature Center & is trained to offer emergency assistance to all our visitors, helping us keep you safe on the trails. They are an important part of our team & help out with a variety of events so make sure & say hi the next time you spot them on the trails.
Iowa Prairie Heritage Week
September 13th - 19th
Iowa’s tallgrass prairie, once covering 85% of our state, now only covers a scant 1% & it deserves our attention & respect. Prairies are a mass of diversity with sometimes hundreds of plant & animal species all existing in cooperation. They provide habitat for our wildlife species, a filtration matrix for our ground & surface water supplies, & prevents erosion & soil loss.
 
The largest remaining remnant prairies in Iowa are found just outside your own back door in the stunning Loess Hills of Western Iowa so make a note to get out & explore some of the beautiful remnant prairies in your area. To locate a nearby prairie for your next adventure check out this great resource from our friends with the Iowa Prairie Network.
Hitchcock HawkWatch Kicks off 2020 Season
The Hitchcock HawkWatch at Hitchcock Nature Center returns to the top of our observation tower on September 1st. Each day these raptor enthusiasts scan the skies to identify raptor species & record their numbers during the annual fall migration.

Due to COVID-19 concerns this year's HawkWatch will look a little different. While we usually love to welcome visitors to the top of the observation tower we will be limiting access during our HawkWatch hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. The top deck of the observation tower will be restricted to members of our HawkWatch team. Visitors to the park will be able to scan the skies & take in the view from the "Eagle Landing" just below the top deck. We thank you for your understanding.

Throughout the season we will be posting weekly updates with details such as species we are spotting & our numbers to our Hitchcock Nature Center Facebook Page so make sure to give us a follow to keep up with the latest news.
Enjoy our annual Botna Bend Pancake Feed social distance style! Register online & pick-up your very own to-go breakfast at beautiful Botna Bend Park. Each breakfast box will include grilled pancakes, grilled sausage, butter, & real maple syrup for the perfect breakfast treat.

Breakfast is still free & free-will donations are gratefully accepted but this year we are offering drive through pickup to help keep everyone as safe as possible. Please register online for the number of breakfasts you would like & pick a 30 minute window for pickup. We will be able to accommodate a limited number of drop-in customers throughout the morning but registering online is greatly appreciated & will help us keep things running smoothly.

Breakfasts will be pre-packaged with cutlery included, & will be delivered to your vehicle by park staff. We will not be providing any covered & congregated seating options. Pancake feed guests are welcome to remain at the park to enjoy their breakfast if they like, picnic tables are available throughout the park. Guests are reminded to observe social distancing recommendations of at least 6’ between groups during their time at the park.
Help us Name our Cabins!
Our cabins need some names & we need your help choosing. Use the link below to help us pick names for our three cabins at Hitchcock Nature Center & our five cabins at Arrowhead Park.

Everyone who votes can enter our drawing to win either a one night stay in a cozy camping cabin at Hitchcock Nature Center or a one night stay in a cozy camping cabin at Arrowhead Park (excludes new, large cabins). Entry into the drawing is optional, it’s just our little thank you for helping us name our cabins.
Upcoming Programs
Little Tike Hike - Botna Bend Park
6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Daily
August 30th - September 13th
Botna Bend Park, Hancock
Take a walk on the wild side at Botna Bend Park with this special hike for young learners. Read More ...
Little Tike Hike - Hitchcock Nature Center
6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Daily
September 5th - 14th
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
Families with young learners are invited to hit the trails for a self-guided hike full of fun nature learning at Hitchcock Nature Center. Read More ...
Learn to Canoe
6:30 p.m.
September 11th
Arrowhead Park, Neola
Learn basic canoe skills as you take in sunset at beautiful Arrowhead Park. Read More ...
Ornithology 101
9:00 a.m.
September 12th
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
Brush up on your raptor identification skills & visit with live raptor ambassadors with presenters from Fontenelle Forest Raptor Recovery. Read More ...
Go Wild For Conservation
Online Daily
September 17th - October 1st
Show your support of the Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation during our annual fundraising event. Make your donation online & earn entries into our prize drawings, the more you give the more you can win! Read More ...
Botna Bend Pancake Feed
30 Minute Pickup Windows - 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
September 19th
Botna Bend Park, Hancock
Register for your 30 minute pickup window & enjoy a tasty pancake breakfast with real maple syrup during this social distance style pancake feed. Read More ...
Monarch Tagging
9:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m.
September 26th
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
Learn how to capture & tag monarch butterflies for research & get to know this fascinating insect up close & personal. Read More ...