Calendar

Suicide Prevention Coalition Meeting

Building Better Birders Workshop #3

April 13th, 7AM-3:00PM at Nature Center & Wildcat Bluff Recreation Area; $20/ per bird house

Benton County Conservation is hosting a Building Better Birders Workshop where bird watchers, “birders,” will learn the basics about birding and have a chance to put their knowledge into practice. This is the FINAL Building Better Birder workshop hosted by Benton County Conservation. To learn more about other workshops, visit: https://buildingbetterbirders.com.Registration is required by April 5th, 2024 by visiting https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Benton.aspx.

If you would like to attend and NOT build a bluebird house, please call us at 319-472-4942 or email [email protected] to register.

Come for the whole workshop, or just a portion! 

7:00 - 9:00 Welcome at Wildcat Bluff Boat Ramp and birding

9:00 - 10:45 travel / bird at Edna Shein Fen Wildlife Area

10:45 - 12:30  travel to Nature Center / Intro to Wetland bird species presentation

12:30 - 1:30 Lunch on your own

1:30 - 2:30 Build Bluebird boxes 

2:30 - 3:00 Questions and wrap up

Building Better Birders Workshop will be conducted by Kelly McKay (BioEco Research and Monitoring Center), with assistance from Mark Roberts (Clinton County Conservation), Brian Ritter & James Wiebler (Nahant Marsh Ed. Center). Funding for this workshop was provided by the Resource Enhancement and Protection – Conservation Education Program (REAP-CEP).

Benton County Conservation Foundation Meeting

The Benton County Conservation Foundation is a 501(c)3. 

The general purpose of this organization is to promote preservation and enhancement of our natural resources through education and conservation, as provided for in Chapter 350 of the Code of Iowa, in the following manner:

1. Promote the conservation of natural resources through a variety of educational programs.
2. Conserve and protect unique natural areas.
3. Develop and maintain suitable programs of public recreation.
4. Serve the citizens of Benton County by assisting and interacting with other public service agencies.

The corporation shall fulfill its purpose by undertaking the following roles:

1. Serving as an organizational base for volunteers for conservation programs. 
2. Helping raise funds for designated projects and educational projects of the Benton County Conservation Board (BCCB).
3. Advising the BCCB as to the needs of the community regarding programming.
4. Supporting and furthering the functions of the BCCB by serving as a vehicle for community involvement.

Auditor's Office Open Late

Hunters Education Field Day Course

🦌Benton County Conservation will be hosting a Hunter Education Field Day Course at Hannen Lake Park on Saturday, April 20th, 2024 at 8:00 AM. 🦃

*Registration for this field day is required*

✅Participants must be at least 11 years old and must have already completed the online portion of the program at https://www.hunter-ed.com/iowa/ prior to attending the field day.

✅Hunters 16 years and older are required to have a Hunter Education completion certificate in the state of Iowa.

✅Course instructors will do an overview of firearm handling, becoming a safe an ethical hunter, basic shooting skills, and Iowa hunting regulations before proctoring the final exam.

✅Iowa law requires that anyone born after January 1, 1972 must be certified in hunter education before they are eligible to purchase an Iowa hunting license.

🧐Next steps?

- Sign up online

- Register for the online portion and field day only portion on April 20th

- Complete the online portion prior to April 20th!

SafeSitter Babysitting Certification Course

SafeSitter Babysitting Certification Course at the Atkins Public Library

BCPH provides the Safe Sitter® Essentials program regularly throughout the year at community libraries, and is available upon request for educating after-school programs, youth groups and youth leadership organizations. Students are taught general safety skills (such as being aware of your surroundings & internet safety), childcare skills (diapering, appropriate feeding, putting baby to sleep), first aid skills (dealing wih cuts, scrapes, burns, nosebleeds, vomiting), choking rescue skills (infant & child), CPR skills (infant & child), and business skills. 

Classes are 6.5 hours long including a 1/2 hour period for lunch, and generally held on Saturday mornings. Classes are limited to 8 students at a time, but your child can be placed on a waitlist for the first available slot during the next course. The cost of the class is $30.00, which covers the student's handbook, a drawstring bag, flashlight, package of bandaids, notepad with important information such as Poison Control, and their completion certificate.

To learn about the next available Safe Sitter® Essentials course being offered, please call Benton County Public Health at 319-214-2601, or email [email protected]. 

Hannen Lake Park Shop Grand Opening

Hannen Lake Park Shop Grand Opening

April 21st, 12:30-2:30 PM at Hannen Lake Park (1949 Benton Iowa Rd, Blairstown, IA 52209)

Have you wondered what that new building is at Hannen Lake Park? Join BCCB staff and volunteers to view the new maintenance shop at Hannen Lake Park! Enjoy beverages and baked goods provided by Recharge Coffee Company. Questions? Call 319-560-9804.

TrailBlazers

Trail Blazers

April 27th, 9AM at Benton-City Fry Recreation Area (5899 29th Ave Dr. Vinton, IA 52349)

Trailblaze Benton City-Fry with us on April 27, 2024 at 9:00 AM! Be the first to hike the new “Maple Ridge Trail" and explore what this river park has to offer! This trail is approximately .5 miles long and is considered moderate due to the uneven terrain and some steep inclines. Please wear sturdy shoes and bring water for this hike. Registration for this event is preferred but not required at mycountyparks.com