Des Moines County Conservation is dedicated to the sustainability of natural resources through land stewardship, conservation education and by providing quality outdoor recreation opportunities.
Acres for Wildlife Landowner Clinic
On Friday, March 16, 2012 from 9 am to 1 pm, DMCC will be holding an information packed Acres for Wildlife Landowner Clinic at Starr’s Cave Nature Center. Speakers from the Iowa DNR, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the NRCS will cover a wide range of topics including cost share opportunities available to landowners. Registration is required. To register, contact Andrew Mason, DMCC’s Natural Resource Manager, at (319) 572-8057 by Friday, March 9. Lunch will be provided. There is a limit of 50 participants. There is no cost to attend the clinic but donations will be accepted for the Partners for Conservation Foundation of Des Moines County to help fund future development at the Big Hollow Recreation Area.
Speakers and topics Include:
Casey Bergthold- Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Biologist
Iowa Pheasant Population Trends
Drew DeLang- District Conservationist -Iowa NRCS
NRCS Programs and Cost Share Assistance
Alex Galt- Biologist- USFWS Partners for Fish &Wildlife
USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program
Kevin Andersen- Private Land Biologist- Iowa DNR
Bobwhite Quail Management
Lisa Louck- District Forester- Iowa DNR
Woodland Management
Caleb Waters-Watershed Coordinator- SWCD,IDALS
Geode Watershed Project
Casey Chadwick-City Forester-City of Burlington
Emerald Ash Borer
Conservation Honors Its Volunteers
DES MOINES COUNTY CONSERVATION HONORS ITS 2011 VOLUNTEERS THIS MONTH
At this year's annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner on January 12 at Starr's Cave Nature Center, Des Moines County Conservation presented Dr. Emily Stumpf of Advance Chiropractic Center and JT Stumpf with a special Volunteer Appreciation Award in recognition of their efforts in establishing and maintaining the Annual Starr's Cave 5K Trail Run/Walk beginning in 2008. Each year, proceeds from race are donated to Partner's for Conservation, a foundation supporting Des Moines County Conservation's efforts.
A second special award was presented to DMCC Board Member David Riley who has dedicated ten years of service as a committed DMCC Board Member. Not only has served on DMCC's Board for ten years, but he has also been heavily involved with organizations and committees such as REAP (Resource Enhancement and Protection), Flint River Trail, Leopold Heritage Group, the Big Hollow Shooting Range Advisory Committee, Ducks Unlimited, and Pheasants Forever.
The dinner also recognized the contributions of other DMCC volunteers, who dedicated many hours of service with Des Moines County Conservation throughout 2011. The volunteers have helped with a variety of tasks such as assisting with summer camps, teaching people about model airplanes, helping with prescribed burns, baking cookies and taking money for the Starr's Cave Concert Series, educating people about Aldo Leopold, gun safety, and the solar system, weeding at the nature center and main office, fundraising for the "One Million in One Year" Big Hollow campaign, helping establish hiking and biking trails, and planting trees.
2012 marks DMCC's 50th Anniversary (1962-2012), a year in which DMCC has special events planned each month in celebration of this landmark. DMCC welcomes the continued help of existing volunteers as well as the addition of new volunteers. Those who are interested in volunteering for DMCC may either call or e-mail Starr's Cave Nature Center at (319) 753-5808 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Des Moines County Conservation Turns 50 Years Old in 2012
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
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
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.