Project AWARE offers free education programs

Project AWARE will clean up Skunk River from the Keokuk/Washington County border through Henry County to just before the Mississippi River in Des Moines County next month and offer free educational classes along the way.

Iowa Project AWARE, an acronym for A Watershed Awareness River Expedition, is a canoeing and educational event during which participants paddle down a different river in Iowa every summer, removing trash along the way. This year’s Iowa Project AWARE on the Skunk River is scheduled for July 7- 12.

After a long day of cleaning the river, volunteers and staff encourage the public to join them for a variety of educational activities. Wednesday, July 10, at 4:30 p.m., in the Water Works area of Oakland Mills Park, Kelly McKay will lead attendees in listening and learning about birds during the program, The Big Bird Sit.

Later that night, at 7:30 p.m., guests can enjoy two concurrent events, the first of which will be Birds of the Floodplain Forest with Kelly McKay. The group will be introduced to 15-18 species common to the flood plain forest habitat in Iowa, discussion will include their abundance as well as when and where to find the species. The second of which will be Clean Water Advocacy — Save Bloody Run Case Study and Other Uncomfortable Truths, with Steve Veysey, where difficulties to water quality advocacy are examined using the example of saving Bloody Run.

The last event for Wednesday will be a late-night program at 9 p.m., Night Sounds Prow. Attendees will take a walk with Kelly McKay while listening for owls, frogs and other nighttime creatures.

At the Old Threshers grounds, Thursday, July 11, the educational programs will include getting up close and personal with some of Iowa’s native animal species. the first program, Snakes aren’t Scary, will begin at 4:30 p.m. with Kendall Prehn, the Henry County Conservation Naturalist. She will discuss the importance of snakes to Iowa’s river communities, and offer a chance to touch live snakes! If snakes aren’t your thing, head over to Meet a Live Animal, with Marcus and Jacklyn, where participants will have the unique opportunity to meet a live box turtle up close and ask any questions they may have.

Following the afternoon programs, participants can learn about Iowa’s mussel population with Iowa Mussel Blitz over the years, with Scott Gritters, at 7:30 p.m. Particular attention will be given to what was found in Lower Skunk Rivers and a major tributary. During the same time, people may choose to attend Honey Bees and Pollination, a brief open lecture including a Q and A option.

Follow the Iowa Project AWARE signs within the Oakland Mills Park (Wednesday) or within Old Threshers grounds (Thursday) and check with registration to find where each program is occurring!

Iowa Project AWARE is coordinated by N-Compass, Inc., an Iowa 501(c) (3) nonprofit based in Marion, Iowa. The mission of N-Compass, Inc. is to protect and improve the environment and natural resources through environmental education and community engagement. For more information about Iowa Project AWARE, to make a donation, or to register for the event, visit www.iowaprojectaware.org. Though registration is not required to attend the educational events.

We hope to see you there!