Get outside in Henry County

MT. PLEASANT — June is Great Outdoors Month, and Henry County Conservation Department is excited.

The Henry County Conservation Department held one of their first board meetings with their newest board members last Wednesday.

The board discussed moving the K-line flagstop Depot onto county conservation property with Lynn Conrad and are still working out the details.

According to executive Director for the conservation department Caleb Waters, the department has been working hard in the camp grounds this past week.

“We have Fourth of July weekend coming up here, so we’ve been prepping for that,” Waters said.

They are doing this with their work on maintenance throughout the conservation on property buildings with power washing and repainting.

The generously donated new-to-us fire rings have all been installed at the South Shore Campgrounds in time for the holiday weekend.

With June being Great Outdoors month, Waters encourages everyone to get outside.

“With COVID we have been cooped up inside and realistically our department want people outside and enjoying the out doors,” Waters said.

The conservation department provides many opportunities to do just this.

“We have self guided hikes, the nature center open on Saturdays from nine to noon,” Waters said.

A self-guided tour is available June 10 — 23 beginning at Turtle Town next to the Oakland Mills Nature Center.

Instructions for the free hike can be found at the starting line.

The Oakland Mills Nature Center also offers the opportunity to view live animals.

“We have snakes, an American Kestrel, Red Tail Hawks and a couple owls and a red fox for people to come out to view,” Waters said.

Other ways the department hopes to entice more outdoor participation is through various planned events.

This past weekend the department held a canoe program, and Waters says that the public should be sure to check in on the county website and Facebook pages to see what is coming up next.

An upcoming event for adults is the Boys. Backwoods. Beer. event June 21.

This is an opportunity for adult conversation oriented around conservation as the group enjoys a complimentary can of beer.

Those wishing to attend this event must register at www.mycountyparks.com and will have the opportunity to purchase a personalized beer mug at every group meeting.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com