Marshall County Conservation Board (MCCB), headquartered at Grimes Farm, manages more than 3,000 acres including 37 areas (parks, river accesses and wildlife spaces) and three trails. Free and low-cost activities abound for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages.
“We’re getting into monarch season, so there are monarch programs coming up here. We start our tagging for monarchs the first week of September,” said Marshall County Conservation Naturalist Emma Bruck.
The public is welcome to attend a free monarch tagging program September 9 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Grimes Farm Shelter House. Following a short presentation, attendees will be given nets for catching monarchs to tag. Milkweed will be available for people to take home with them to plant, which attracts these butterflies. No registration needed.
If you notice a large group of monarchs roosting in your trees, please contact the MCCB directly.
“It gives families and kids the chance to catch them. It’s really fun. We show them how to identify the sex, tag them, and then we’ll write down information so if the monarch gets returned and it was one you tagged, we will reach back out and you’ll get a certificate,” she noted.
The Nature Adventures for Homeschoolers free monthly program offers youngsters the chance to play junior scientist. Participants will learn about monarchs from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. September 11. (Register by 4 p.m. on September 9). Tagging will be offered, weather pending.
October’s program for homeschoolers will be on decomposers (fungi, insects, worms). It will go from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on October 5 with registration due by 4 p.m. October 1. There will be hands-on activities offered.
The popular sunrise hike returns September 9 at 6:30 a.m. at Marietta Sand Prairie Preserve — the final one of the year. Register by September 8 at 4 p.m. to guarantee your spot. Participation is free.
“I do the sunrise hikes April to September,” Bruck said. “I save Marietta for this time of year because the flowers are absolutely spectacular and lots of diversity. I very much encourage people to get out there this time of year.”
Those who attend Brown Bag Bunch will get another chance to explore and walk the Marietta prairies September 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A limited amount of binoculars will be available to borrow. Free to attend, but register by 4 p.m. September 17.
Bruck said the area is unique because it is home to a small remnant prairie: original, unplowed native grassland. Folks will get to encounter songbirds, insects and monarchs while enjoying time in nature.
The final Live and Local concert of the season is set for September 10 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Leonard Grimes Memorial Amphitheater. Jordan Beem will perform, and food trucks will be on hand.
“This is his first time coming out here, so we’re hoping for a good crowd,” she said.
People are welcome to attend the grand opening of Iverson Observatory at Green Castle Recreation Area at 7:30 p.m. on September 18. Free to attend, no registration needed. Bring your own chair. The Amateur Astronomers of Central Iowa will give a beginner-friendly introduction to astronomy.
Bruck noted the conservatory was built thanks to donations from the
Ross and Beverly Iverson memorial fund.
There is still time to register for the kayaking at Green Castle Recreation Area.
This family-friendly event will impart the basics of kayaking safety. There is no fee for this program, but you must sign up by 4 p.m. on September 18. Event will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on September 23.
“This is our last kayaking of the year and one of our most popular programs. Spots usually fill up fast,” she said.
A rain barrel workshop at Grimes Farm Shelter House is slated for 6 p.m. on September 30. In partnership with the Marshall County Landfill, attendees will learn how to conserve water, reduce runoff and support a healthier environment. Register by 4 p.m. on September 23, cost is $20. Supplies included.
Attendees at the October 6 Brown Bag Bunch will hear a presentation on the end of the last Ice Age from Chérie Haury-Artz. She is an education assistant at the Office of the State Archaeologist, which is a research division of the University of Iowa. It will run 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (free, register by 4 p.m. on October 1) at Grimes Farm.
A highlight for October will be the return of Zombie Run Park Apocalypse. It is set for October 10 at 6 p.m. at Grimes Farm. Runners will partake in a 5K with a staggered race start beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Runners will encounter zombies (volunteers in makeup and costumes) who will try to steal their brains (flags from flag football). If runners cross the finish line with flags they are survivors, those who do not are deemed infected.
Online registration fee is $35 and includes a swag item, a finisher medal, a walking “dead” taco meal, a zombie antidote (Gatorade) and a zombie cookie. Registration deadline is October 7 by 4 p.m. Registration on race day is welcome and costs $45. Medals, swag items and meals are guaranteed to the first 100 registered runners.
“We have about the same number, if not more, volunteers than we do runners. It takes a lot of people to put on this event, which is wonderful, but it means we need to find a lot of people willing to help out,” she said. “We have several roles: zombie, you can come with your makeup done, or you can get your makeup done by one of our makeup artists. We provide all the materials; other volunteers hand out medals, serve food, be a makeup artist.”
Runners can register online at Eventbrite: https://tinyurl.com/28wtmyds
Funds raised from the run go back into the upkeep of the trails at Grimes Farm.
Bruck said camping in the parks depends on the weather, with closures announced online. This part of the state will likely see peak fall colors the second or third week in October. To view an interactive map of the United States, showing: no color, little, moderate, high, peak, and past peak, go to: www.explorefall.com
To register for events, call 641-752-5490, email mccb@marshallcountyia.gov, or text only 641-758-9777. You may also contact MCCB to receive a print or digital copy of “Seasons” its quarterly newsletter.