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Contact:

Clayton County Conservation

29862 Osborne Road

Elkader, IA 52043

PH: (563) 245-1516

SPECIAL THANKS To The (EITA) Eastern Iowa Tourism Association For All Of Their Support!

www.easterniowatourism.org

Education

Environmental Education Opportunities For Students

The Osborne Center offers a wide variety of programs to students from preschool to high school.  All programs offered to students who live within Clayton County are free of charge; out-of-county students will be charged $1 per student.  On-site field trips to the Osborne Center are offered throughout the year.  Any school district interested in a field trip is encouraged to call and ask for more information. 

Some of the programs offered at the Osborne Center include; archery, native wildlife exhibit tours, canoeing, nature walks, scavenger hunts, and track detectives. For a more detailed list of programs offered, please open the links below or call the nature center and ask for Brian or Abbey 563-245-1516.

Field Trip Programs

                   

Hunter Education Classes

The Clayton County Conservation Board offers two Hunter Education Classes each year.  Classes are held in June and in August.  The classroom portion is held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday night, along with four hours on Saturday at the range.  Students are required to attend all sessions each day.

A group of dedicated volunteer Hunter Education Instructors teach students about a wide range of hunting related topics.  On Saturday, the class is held on the outdoor range where students are able to participate in hands-on activities.  This includes live fire of a .22, 20 gauge, black powder and archery.  Instruction is also given on casing and uncasing a firearm, map reading, zones of fire, fence crossing and shoot and don’t shoot situations.

Class size is limited and pre-registration is required. To attend a class call the Osborne Office at 563-245-1516. This year's classes will be held:

June 21, 23, and 25 from 6-9 pm and June 26 from 7 am-1 pm; registration opens May 25th

August 9, 11, and 13 from 6-9 pm and August 14 from 7 am-1 pm; registration opens July 6th

Junior Naturalist Program

The Junior Naturalist Program (JNP) is held during the summer at the Osborne Conservation Center.  The Center is located 5 miles south of Elkader on state Highway 13.

The program is offered only to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students attending Clayton County Schools or schools serving Clayton County students.

The JNP is an overnight camp program that focuses on exploring nature and the environment.  Activities are led by naturalists at the Osborne Center, local resource  specialists and sportsmen.

 2010 Clayton County Junior Naturalist Brochure

IOWA JUNIOR NATURALIST PROGRAM

This is an opportunity for children ages 6-12 to experience (and share with adults) such diverse programs as environmental education, outdoor recreation, natural resources, conservation and historical interpretation.

REQUIREMENTS:

AGE:    Participants should be between the ages of 6 and 12 years old.

PUBLIC PROGRAMS: Attend three public programs offered by county conservation boards, Iowa DNR State Park Units, local libraries, nature centers, YMCA camps, 4-H or any other programs with a nature theme.

INDEPENDENT ACTIVITIES:    Complete two independent activities such as reading a nature book, fishing, hunting, camping, bike riding along a nature trail, hiking, etc.

AWARDS:    Upon completion of the above requirements, participants will receive a certificate of achievement and a colorful embroidered Iowa Junior Naturalist patch. Participants can collect them all.

For more information contact the Osborne Center at 563-245-1516.

Monthly Public Programs 

The Clayton County Conservation Board offers monthly public programs throughout the year.  These programs are usually free of charge unless listed otherwise.  The following programs will be offered over the upcoming months.  For more information about these activities please look over the newsletter, The Clayton County Oracle.

Turkey River Canoe Trip
Saturday, August 7, 9 am - Noon
Elkader to Motor Mill
No charge; Reservations Required

Come take a scenic journey on the Trukey River and learn about its natural wonders. Gear is provided or bring your own. Limited space available.

 Stargazing Party
Friday, August 13, 9:30 pm
Osborne Center

Celebrate astronomy by learning about meteor showers; then find a spot on the hillside to watch the Persied Meteor Shower which starts about 11 pm.

 Savanna Prairie Walk
Saturday, August 14, 1 pm
Motor Mill

Take a short hike to explore the Robert Grau Savanna at Motor Mill.

Stream Stomp
Saturday, August 21, 1 pm
Osborne Center

Discover the habitat of the river through this fun and wet family activity.

OLDER WISER LIVLIER SOULS
O.W.L.S.

Looking for an excuse to get out of the house, make some new friends, enjoy a good meal and learn about the exciting world of nature? Join us for O.W.L.S. the third Thursday of each month at 11 am with an optional lunch at noon. 
Third Thursday of each month
Program from 11-12, with optional lunch to follow
Program is $1 and lunch is $6
Reservations Required

“Rediscovering Northeast Iowa Treasures”.

We will be touring different sites in our area to reconnect to our beautiful and intriguing part of Iowa. Possible summer topics include Ice Caves, Locks and Dams, the CCC and more.  Participants will have the opportunity to ride a shuttle to each location from Osborne Park.  As in the past, an optional lunch will follow.

    August 19: Clayton County Parks

September 16: Lock and Dam #10
October 21: White Pine Hollow State Preserve
November 16 (Tuesday): Effigy Mounds National Monument