ALERT: Enter Your Design in Our County Park T-Shirt Contest by April 30th Contest Rules
ALERT: New park membership levels and benefits now available. Activate or Renew Today
ALERT: Full hookup sites now available at Botna Bend Park and Hitchcock Nature Center for $30 per night.

News & Blog

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!

Pottawattamie County Conservation Looking for Public Input on Mt. Crescent Ski Area Development During Open House Events

Learn more about four-season development options at Mt. Crescent Ski Area and share your thoughts with Pottawattamie County Conservation.

9/26/2023
Kylie Jacott, Promotions & Outreach Coordinator
Mt. Crescent Ski Area, News

Read More  

Hitchcock Nature Center Pavilion

The new pavilion project at Hitchcock Nature Center showcases public-private partnerships.

8/9/2023
Jeff Franco, Deputy Director

Read More  

Things to Look for with Your Little Tike: August

Learn how to help your little one engage with the outdoors with our monthly Little Tike Hike tips.

8/2/2023
Kylie Jacott, Promotions & Outreach Coordinator
Environmental Education, Family Fun, Hiking, Summer

Read More  

Potawattamie Conservation Rejoices Impact Created in First Year of Operating Mt. Crescent Ski Area

Pottawattamie County Conservation is celebrating what it called “an incredibly successful” first year of operating Mt. Crescent Ski Area.  

7/18/2023
Craig Carlsen, Public Relations Manager, Pottawattamie County
Conservation

Read More  

Volunteer Spotlight: Westy Inspires Visitors to Reconnect with Nature

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!

7/13/2023
Westy Nelson, Pottawattamie Conservation Volunteer
Conservation, Hitchcock Nature Center, Volunteering

Read More  

Things to Look for with Your Little Tike: July

Learn how to help your little one engage with the outdoors with our monthly Little Tike Hike tips.

7/11/2023
Kylie Jacott, Promotions & Outreach Coordinator
Environmental Education, Family Fun, Hiking, Summer

Read More  

What Is It Wednesday: Sunfish

Learn a little more about the fun and feisty sunfish from our summer Environmental Education Intern, Joseph.

7/5/2023
Environmental Education Intern, Joseph Goltl
Conservation, Environmental Education, Native Animals

Read More  

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

Read More  

Things to Look for with Your Little Tike: June

Learn how to help your little one engage with the outdoors with our monthly Little Tike Hike tips.

6/12/2023
Kylie Jacott, Promotions & Outreach Coordinator
Environmental Education, Family Fun, Hiking, Native Animals, Native Plants, Summer

Read More  

Is Backcountry Camping Right for Me?    

Tap into your adventurous side this summer and get away from it all by booking a backcountry campsite in Iowa’s beautiful Loess Hills.

6/7/2023
Kylie Jacott, Promotions & Outreach Coordinator
Hiking, Hitchcock Nature Center, Summer

Read More  

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

Read More  

What Is It Wednesday: Barn Swallow Nest

Learn how barn swallows construct their hearty mud nests and why they sparked the beginning of federal bird protections and conservation efforts in the U.S.

6/1/2023
Kylie Jacott, Promotions & Outreach Coordinator
Bird Watching, Conservation, Narrows River Park, Spring

Read More  

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

Read More  

Volunteer Spotlight: Stephanie & Meika Make a Dynamic Duo

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!

5/11/2023
Dana Kruse, Volunteer & Facilities Coordinator
Botna Bend Park, Environmental Education, Hitchcock Nature Center, Volunteering

Read More  

Do you doo(doo) your environmental doody?

Deer and other wildlife poop at your county parks and habitat areas, but your dog shouldn't. Here's why!

5/7/2023
Kylie Jacott, Promotions & Outreach Coordinator
Conservation, Environmental Education, Health

Read More  

Get a full year of free access to all Pottawattamie County parks.

Become a member of the Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation