Litter Busters Park Cleanup

Follow in the footsteps of the Dump Busters, who saved Hitchcock from becoming a dump, by joining our annual park cleanup.

Did you know that Hitchcock Nature Center's Loess Hills beauty and remnant prairie systems were almost turned into a bottled water factory, and then of all things, a dump!? Thankfully local community members came together, put their feet down, and fought to protect this beautiful area. They're known as the Dump Busters! The trail Angel's Dead End is named after Mike Angel who purchased this land in the late-1980s and was set on profiting from it. Bulldozed Valley, which can be seen from the Loess Hills Lodge observation deck, as well as the trail Dozer Cut, was partially formed by bulldozers when Angel owned the property and was actively working to turn it into a dump. We will be forever grateful to the hundreds of community members who rallied together to save this area for generations to come.

Together, we can protect the park's special beauty and all of the species that call it home. Join our park cleanup event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 20th and follow in the Dump Busters' footsteps.

How to Participate:

1. Check in at one of the stations listed below anytime between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
   • Volunteers will be given a bag to collect trash in and are encouraged to bring their own if they have it. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to enter themselves in a random drawing for a free camping stay.
2. Hit the trails! Enjoy a rejuvenating outdoor adventure while gathering any litter you come across along the way.
3. When finished, head to a check-out station to weigh and record your findings, take a Dump Buster selfie, and help sort any recyclables. Send your selfies to pottconservation@pottcounty-ia.gov or tag Hitchcock Nature Center or Mt. Crescent Ski Area on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter!

Check-In Stations:

Please feel free to check in at either location listed below. We encourage visitors to check out before they leave so they can return any borrowed materials and weigh, toss, and recycle their findings. We keep track of how much litter is weighed to better understand the impacts of visitors on the park.

1. Loess Hills Lodge at Hitchcock Nature Center
2. Ski Lodge at Mt. Crescent Ski Area

What to Bring & Wear:

We recommend bringing:

• A pair of protective gloves (this could be an old pair of winter gloves or work gloves)
• A trash bag (bags will also be made available at check-in)

We recommend wearing:

• Layers (it's often a few degrees cooler at the park, and windy)
• Tall socks
• Good hiking shoes or boots
• Sun protection

We know our visitors have the best intentions and do all they can to protect their natural areas. We appreciate anyone willing to help pick up litter along trails while they enjoy some quality time with Mother Nature!