Iowa Master Conservationist Program to begin in Washington County

Washington — Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will offer the Iowa Master Conservationist Program starting May 14. The program will take place at the Washington County Extension Office, Marr Park, Sockum Ridge, Lake Darling, McKains Access and many more places, providing participants with hands-on interaction with the diversity of the state’s natural resources. The program teaches about Iowa’s natural ecosystems and the diversity of conservation challenges and opportunities that exist in the region. Graduates of the course learn to make informed choices for leading and educating others to improve conservation in Iowa.

The program consists of approximately 12 hours of online curriculum and seven face-to-face meetings. The online modules will include lessons and resources by Iowa State subject-matter experts to be reviewed at the participants’ own pace at home or at the ISU Extension and Outreach Washington County Office. Module topics include conservation history and science, understanding Iowa ecosystems, implementing conservation practices in human dominated landscapes and developing skills to help educate others about conservation practices.

Seven face-to-face meetings will build on the online lessons and be held at numerous locations in Washington County from 5 p.m. on May 14, May 28, June 18, July 9, Aug. 6, Aug. 20 and August 27. Each face-to-face meeting will be led by local subject-matter experts to demonstrate how the principles covered in the online curriculum and play out locally. Speakers are: Jack Malone with Iowa Geological Survey, Megan Jorgensen Naturalist with Washington County Conservation, Lisa Louck State Forester, Chad Dolan Fisheries Biologist with DRN, and Coday Schneider Farm Superintendent with ISU Research and Demonstration Farm. A light meal will be served at each meeting.

Registration for the course is $100.00 and is due at the time of registration. To register contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Washington County office at 319-653-4811 or at https://go.iastate.edu/KPEATA. The deadline to register is May 1 at 4 p.m.