A new program will help individuals in Greene County and surrounding areas to learn about conservation and the challenges that come with it.

Greene County ISU Extension Director Lori Mannel says the Iowa Master Conservationist Program consists of online classes and four face-to-face workshops that take place in different park locations in Greene and Boone counties, including Ledges State Park and Don Williams Recreation Area in Boone County, as well as Daubendiek Park and Spring Lake Park in Greene County. 

This program has 12 hours of an online curriculum and four hands-on learning experiences that participants will get to gain knowledge about Iowa’s natural ecosystems and the conservation challenges and the opportunities that exist in the region. Graduates can then make informed choices and educate others about improving conservation in the state. Mannel says this is a worthwhile opportunity.

“What makes this such an exciting program is that we have so many partners that are involved, (including) Boone County Conservation, Greene County Conservation, the Soil and Water Conservation Service, IDALS (Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship), both (Boone and Greene County) Extension Offices, Ag and Natural Resources, then we have specialists from Iowa State University are all going to be a part of this. And you’re going to learn from so many experts.” 

The four dates in June are June 5th, 15th, 19th and 29th with the Wednesday evening workshops from 6-8:30pm and the Saturday workshops from 10am-4pm. The early bird registration deadline is today for $50 per person. Otherwise the regular registration is $75 per person until June 3rd and there are limited spots available. Contact the Greene County Extension Office at 515-386-2138 or stop by to sign up.

 

June 5th-Greene Co Extension Office and Daubendiek Park

June 15th-Ledges State Park in Boone County

June 19th-Don Williams Recreation Area

June 29th-Spring Lake Park