Calendar

Chili Cook-Off & Bake Sale

Chili Cook-Off & Bake Sale

October 7th, 12pm-3pm Hannen Lake Park - White Oak Shelter (East); Chili entry fee: $20/recipe, Free to enjoy!

Bring your best chili to enter into the contest, or come and enjoy all the delicious chili presented! Competition entrance fee is $20/recipe (limit 1 per person). Judging categories are: smoked chili, white chili, and classic chili.

Don’t want to compete from 1-3pm? Enjoy some chili, bake sale, live music by Scott, Annette & George, and free samples from Benton County Brewing Company featuring a fresh batch of Hannen Lake Scottish Ale, all for a free will donation. Win a Blackstone Griddle! $10 raffle tickets will be sold at this event for cash only. Raffle winner must be present to win. Chili judging will be held at 2pm with a grand prize of one week of camping for 1st place in each category. 2nd & 3rd places will be entered into a drawing for a weekend in the Hannen Lake Cabin.

Call Ranger Grubic at 319-560-9804 with questions about this event.

Artistry with Aaron: Autumn Eve

Artistry with Aaron: Autumn Eve

October 18th, 6:30pm at Benton County Nature Center; $35 for adult $20 for kid

This painting class led by Naturalist Aaron will include step-by-step instruction, one 12x16” canvas, and painting supplies to make an Autumn Eve painting. No refunds. Registration is required by October 12th by visiting www.mycountyparks.com

Nature at Night

Nature at Night

October 18th, 8:00pm at Benton County Nature Center

Learn about nocturnal animals and take a short hike to observe wildlife, including owl calling. This night program requires quiet participation to not scare away the wildlife and will be outdoors so please dress and plan accordingly. Registration is limited and required by visiting www.mycountyparks.com

Region 10 REAP Assembly

REAP Assemblies are locally led public meetings at which information is given out and ideas are taken in by the attending state officials. The REAP law requires the following things happen at each assembly:

• The DNR provides those attending with information regarding REAP expenditures. The overall REAP budget is presented and projects in the region are listed that have been funded with REAP dollars.
• People attending the assemblies shall identify opportunities for regional REAP projects. Examples that have frequently come up are trails, river corridor protection, wetland restoration, soil erosion prevention, conservation education, and resource inventories.
• People attending the assemblies shall also review and recommend changes to REAP policies, programs, and funding. This is the portion of the meeting that people speak out on anything they want regarding the inner workings of REAP.
• And last but not least, the people at the assemblies are responsible for electing five individuals to serve on the REAP Congress. In addition to the five delegates, 2 other people are elected as alternates to the delegates. In the event that one of the delegates cannot attend the Congress, an alternate fills that spot.

REAP Regional Assemblies 2023

During the fall of 2023, 18 Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Assemblies will be conducted throughout Iowa. REAP Assemblies are required, per Iowa Code Chapter 455A.17, to be conducted on odd numbered years to provide attendees with information about REAP expenditures, ask attendees to identify opportunities or changes in policy, programs or funding, vote on motions for the five elected delegates per region to vote on at REAP Congress. 259 Iowans participated in the 2021 REAP Assemblies. In addition to electing delegates, participants made 64 motions that were forwarded to the REAP Congress for consideration January 2024.