Des Moines County Conservation is dedicated to the sustainability of natural resources through land stewardship, conservation education and by providing quality outdoor recreation opportunities.



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DMCC EAGLE CARAVAN CANCELLED

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This year's DMCC's Eagle Caravan (AKA Eagle Count) and presentation has been cancelled due to construction taking place at Lock and Dam 18 on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River where the count typically takes place each year. In years past, DMCC's has held its annual Eagle Caravan in conjunction with the Annual Midwinter Bald Eagle Count organized by the Eagle Nature Foundation (ENF) out of Apple River, Illinois. On the last weekend of every January, volunteers along the Mississippi River from Minnesota to Louisiana count bald eagles and submit their numbers to the Foundation. 2012 is the 52nd year in which the collaborative count has taken place. Staff at Lock and Dam 18 will be counting bald eagles and submitting the area's numbers to ENF.

 

The ENF's past bald eagle counts have indicated that bald eagle reproduction rates in the Midwest peaked around 2000-2001. According to ENF, because it takes five years for the young eagles to mature into adults, a record number of adult bald eagles should have been reflected earlier, but instead there were not a record number of adult bald eagles in the ENF's count until the years 2007 and 2008. Since 2001, there has been a slide in the percentage of young bald eagles recorded on ENF's counts. Presently, the percentage of young bald eagles are now nearly back to the same low levels they were in the mid-1960s. ENF is looking to find answers as to why the numbers are this way.

 

Those who are interested in viewing a mounted bald eagle, one will be on display at the Port of Burlington Welcome Center beginning on the afternoon of January 24 through the 29th.

 

For more information on the Eagle Nature Foundation and bald eagles visit their website at: www.eaglenature.com.

Des Moines County Conservation Turns 50 Years Old in 2012

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In January, DMCC will be 50 years old! We have BIG plans in place to celebrate this exciting milestone. Throughout 2012, DMCC will be hosting many fun events in addition to our regular offerings. We've already revamped our mission and there are other exciting changes to be revealed in January such as our new website.

 

Stay tuned for more information on our upcoming anniversary events to be listed in local papers, "Wild River Ramblings," on Facebook under DMCC and Starr's Cave Nature Center, on our website, and heard on local radio stations.

 

Join us in celebrating this milestone! 

Wild River Ramblings Newsletter

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The Wild River Ramblings is a Des Moines Coutny Conservation newsletter that is delivered four times (fall, winter, spring, & summer) a year free of charge. Wild River Ramblings is the best way to learn about our upcoming events as well as local conservation news. Wild River Ramblings can be downloaded from our website or you may sign up to receive the newsletter electronically by e-mailing the main office at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . If you do not readily have internet access, you may request to receive a paper version of the newsletter through the postal service. Contact the main office at (319) 753-8260.

 

Cross Country Ski Rentals

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The word is out that cross country skis can be rented at Starr's Cave Nature Center. The last few winters have been filled with lots of snow making for many cross country skiing opportunities. To meet the growing popularity of our ski rental program, we've ordered a bunch more new skis for this upcoming winter season. We have skis, boots, and poles to outfit skiers as young as toddlers up through adults. We offer a mini cross country skiing lesson to those who would like help getting started. Skis are rented out only when there is 4" or more of quality snow on the ground. Please be sure to call the nature center before your visit as the nature center may be closed during scheduled rental hours when staff is out teaching environmental education programs. To find out more about ski rental, contact Starr's Cave Nature Center at 319-753-5808.

 

Weekday Rental Hours 

Monday - Friday

8:30 am - 4 pm

Last ski rental of the day is at 3 pm.

 

Saturday Rental Hours

The nature center is open only on Saturdays in the winter if there is 4" or more of quality snow on the ground.

Saturday 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Last ski rental of the day is at 2 pm.

 

Rental Rates

$8/day

$15/weekend

$50/ full season*

 

*For full season rentals, skis are kept with the renter up until March 9th. Only a limited number of skis are available to rent for a full season.

 

Directions to Starr's Cave Park & Preserve: From Burlington take Hwy 61 N, at Sunnyside Ave turn east, turn north onto Irish Ridge Rd, after approximately a 1/4 mile, turn west onto Starr's Cave Park Rd, follow road and arrive at Starr's Cave Nature Center parking lot.