Conservator
October, 2020
Go Wild For Conservation in 2020
Thank You for Your Support!
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our two week fundraising event, Go Wild For Conservation. Your generosity during this difficult time is greatly appreciated by the Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation & Pottawattamie Conservation

Your generous support raised over $25,000.00 for land stewardship, environmental education, & low impact recreation in Pottawattamie County.

The Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation needs your help all year long. You can show your support by making a donation or purchasing a membership online anytime. Visit www.pottawattamieconservationfoundation.com for more details!
Arrowhead Park Cabins Nearing Completion
A view of all three new modern cabins at Arrowhead Park
Photo by Chris Ruhaak, Heartland Photos & Design
The three new, modern cabins at Arrowhead Park are making some great progress. Final touches are being completed this fall & we look forward to sharing even more details & opening reservations for these terrific facilities soon!
One of two ranch style cabins, sleeps 8 to 10. - Photo courtesy of Chris Ruhaak, Heartland Photos & Design
Loft style cabin, sleeps 10 to 12. - Photo courtesy of Jill Chapman
Unleash CB Fall Photo Contest
This is the perfect time of year to venture outside and explore the beauty that surrounds us in Pottawattamie County! Celebrate the season with the first ever UNleashCB Fall Photo Contest brought to you by the Council Bluffs Convention & Visitors Bureau! Enter up to two original photographs that depict the fall season in Council Bluffs or Pottawattamie County for a chance to win a GoPro HERO7 White! You don't have to be a pro or have high dollar equipment to participate. You'd be surprised by how great smartphone cameras are! 

Submissions are accepted through Sunday, November 8, 2020.

The winner of the GoPro HERO7 White will be announced on Friday, November 13, 2020, at 4:00 p.m. 

How to Enter:
  • Post your fall photo on Instagram
  • Tag @UNleashCB in the photo 
  • Use the hashtag #UNleashCBFallPhoto20
  • Post your fall photo on Facebook
  • Tag @UNleashCB in the photo 
  • Use the hashtag #UNleashCBFallPhoto20
No Social Media:
  • Email your photo or Dropbox link to [email protected] 
  • Put #UNleashCBFallPhoto20 in the subject line 
Two Great Fall Programs Coming Up in October
Enjoy autumn at Arrowhead Park & join us for our annual Chili Fest this year done “Social Distance Style”. Pick up a tasty chili dinner at the park on Saturday, October 10th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. & have dinner at the park or take home to enjoy.

Chili dinners include a large serving of tasty chili & crackers, all pre-packaged & ready to go. Dinner is free but free will donations are gratefully accepted at the pickup window & will be used to support further improvements & low cost programming at Arrowhead Park. No pre-registration is required.

Due to COVID-19 the format for this annual event has been changed. Meals will be pre-packaged with cutlery included. Guests will enter Breezy Lodge, place their order & then proceed to the pickup station to retrieve their food. We will not be providing any covered & congregated seating options & we will not be hosting our traditional campground trick or treat, pumpkin painting, or hayrack rides. Chili Fest guests are welcome to remain at the park to enjoy their dinner 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. Masks are recommended during pickup at Breezy Lodge.

For questions not answered online please call Arrowhead Park at 712-485-2295.
Join us for the 16th Annual HawkWatch 5K & do it your own way this year! Register online for this fun, virtual run then complete a 5K run (3.1 miles) anywhere you like. You can run a track, run in your own neighborhood, or head out to Hitchcock Nature Center to run our trails. Wherever you choose to run is fine with us! Complete your run & report your time by 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 17th to complete your HawkWatch 5K challenge.

Online pre-registration is required to participate. Cost for this event is $20.00 per runner & will support the Hitchcock HawkWatch raptor monitoring program as well as other programs & improvements at Hitchcock Nature Center. Runners of all ages are welcome to join in the fun! All runners submitting a final race time by 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 17th will receive a commemorative patch & sticker to celebrate their success, you will also be entered into a drawing to win a free, two night stay in one of Hitchcock Nature Center’s cozy camping cabins. 

Due to COVID-19 the format for this annual event has changed. We will not be offering a set race course at Hitchcock Nature Center, runners are responsible for picking their own course in the location of their choice & logging their distance & time for submission by email. All race times are submitted on the honor system & there will be no prizes for age & gender divisions. All racers receive the same commemorative prizes & are entered into the random drawing for a two night camping cabin stay. For questions not answered online please call 712-545-3283.
Audubon Society of Omaha's 40th Anniversary Fall Bird Seed Sale
Support the Audubon Society of Omaha & their terrific programming opportunities during their annual Fall Bird Seed Sale.

You can purchase your seed online with your credit card & pickup in person on October 31st or November 1st or opt for contactless delivery for an additional donation. Orders must be received by October 21st.
Upcoming Programs
Little Tike Hike - Botna Bend Park
6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Daily
October 3rd -30th
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
October 3rd - 12th
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 ...
The Science of Fall
9:00 a.m.
October 10th
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
Learn more about the science behind the changing seasons & improve your nature photography skills. Read More ...
Arrowhead Park Chili Fest
5:00 p.m.
October 10th
Arrowhead Park, Neola
Enjoy autumn at Arrowhead Park & join us for our annual Chili Fest this year done “Social Distance Style”. Pick up a tasty chili dinner at the park & enjoy in the park or take it home. Read More ...
Hitchcock Haunted Hollow
1:00 p.m.
October 17th
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
Pick up your treasure hunt materials & hit the trails to see if you can find the answers & return victorious. Costumes are welcome!  Read More ...
HawkWatch 5K Virtual Run
Final Run Times Due by 5:00 p.m.
October 17th
Anywhere!
Join us for the 16th Annual HawkWatch 5K & do it your own way this year! Complete a 5K walk or run anywhere & support the Hitchcock HawkWatch.  Read More ...
Halloween Witchy Woods Walk
4:30 p.m.
October 24th
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
Learn how folklore and associated practices can be used as a gateway to deepening your relationship with the forest community. Read More ...
Halloween Witchy Woods Walk
4:30 p.m.
October 25th
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
Learn how folklore and associated practices can be used as a gateway to deepening your relationship with the forest community. Read More ...
Homeschool in the Hills: Nocturnal Animals
5:00 p.m.
November 3rd
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
Get to know the animals that spend most of their waking hours in the dark! These special animals are called nocturnal & have special adaptations that allow them to be just as active at night as we are during the day. Read More ...
Homeschool in the Hills: Nocturnal Animals
5:00 p.m.
November 4th
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
Get to know the animals that spend most of their waking hours in the dark! These special animals are called nocturnal & have special adaptations that allow them to be just as active at night as we are during the day. Read More ...