Environmental Education
Upcoming Program Announcements:
Great Backyard Bird Count and Central Park Nature Center Open House
February 18
Noon - 3 PM
Central Park Nature Center
Bring your whole family to explore the Central Park Nature Centers latest exhibit renovations. Learn how you can participate in the "Great Backyard Bird Count". Make a pine cone bird feeder to take home. Gear up and explore the park by snowshoe. Kids can enter the winter coloring contest and make a snowflake to take home. Everyone can sign up to win a free bird feeder and enjoy some cookies and hot chocolate. If there is snow bring your sleds and hit the slopes. If you like to ice fish bring your gear and try your luck on the lake.
The Jones County Conservation Board would like to invite you to consider your meeting place and the many outdoor areas of Jones County as rewarding locations to learn about our natural environment. You will find our diverse ecosystems and wildlife offer many educational opportunities.
The Jones County Conservation Board Naturalist is available to give environmental education programs to schools, daycares, youth and adult groups, and the general public upon request. Programs can be given at almost any location; including at the groups place of meeting or in the classroom. 
Programs can be given indoors or out-of-doors depending on the circumstances. Naturalist programs are given at no charge and are tailored to the group or classes request. Free will donations are accepted.
Monthly public programs are advertised in local newspapers and in the Jones County Conservation Board newsletter, “The Twin Rivers Review”.
For a listing of programs offered to youth groups see the “Jones County Youth Group Naturalist Programs” brochure.
Jones County Youth Group Naturalist Programs Brochure Page 1
Jones County Youth Group Naturalist Programs Brochure Page 2
Youth Program PowerPoint PDF
Jones County Nature Center
The primary purpose of the Jones County Nature Center at Central Park is to provide a place for environmental education. Programs for the public, schools, and other groups are held regularly at the center. Central Park is located in the center of Jones County and is within a 15 – 30 minute drive from all communities in the county.
The Nature Center has exhibit space and a medium sized meeting room with kitchenette. Groups and individuals can reserve the Nature Center for a small fee.
The Nature Center is open to the public from 1-5 PM on Saturdays and Sundays, from Memorial Day thru Labor Day weekend. Anyone interested in viewing the center at other times should call (563)487-3541 to make an appointment.
New Aquatic and Land Turtle Exhibits Complete
Funding from Great Cedar Rapids Community Foundation - Jones County Endowment Fund Grant and the Nellie Stege Trust.
Visitors at the Central Park Nature Center will notice several new exhibits this summer. Our painted and snapping turtles are now wowing young and old alike in their new aquatic habitat display found front and 
center on the Central Park Nature Centers main floor. A second smaller land turtle tank houses the centers threatened Ornate Box Turtles. Constructed by Precision Frame and Finish these new exhibits have already awed nature center visitors.
Nature Center Renovation Project Update: Summer 2011
Exterior improvements are now mostly complete and include a newly redesigned parking and sidewalk system, new ADA accessible ramp and entry to the Central Park Nature Center, additional decking, new stone facade, and a native landscaping demonstration area with interpretive signage and gathering area. Funding for the planting and i
nterpretive signage has been awarded through a Living Roadway Trust Fund grant.
Construction on the "Live Animal Exhibit" on the main floor of the Central Park Nature Center was completed January 2009, with funding assistance from a DRA Grant. During the winter of 2010 the "Window Discovery Center", "Library Area", "Computer Carrel", and "Mystery Box" were constructed with the aide of the Great Cedar Rapids Community Foundation Jones County Endowment Fund Grant. This past spring and early summer 2011 the new "Aquatic and Land Turtle Exhibits" were completed with funding assistance from the Nellie Stege Trust and a Jones County Endowment Fund Grant through the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation.
Although several exhibits are now completed the Central Park Nature Center Renovation Project is still in need of your help. You hold the future in your hands. With your help, the entire Central Park Nature Center Renovation Project can become a reality. Your local organization and private contributions provide critical funding. Renovation components will only be completed as funding allows.
Renovation components will include:
Nature Center Renovation 2010
-Improved entrance signage.
-Redesigned parking and drive.
-Exterior building improvements and repairs.
-ADA accessibility.
-Educational signage.
-Native landscaping.
-New doors and windows.
-New flooring and wall treatments.
-Updated entry.
-Updated educational exhibits.
-Kitchenette upgrade.
-Hands on learning exhibits.
-New functional educational lab and improved classroom area.
With your contributions these upgrades and renovations will continue to give the children, students, families, residents, and visitors of Jones County the opportunity to learn about the importance of our environment and natural and cultural resources.
Exhibit and facility naming rights are still available. Please contact the Jones County Conservation Board Administrative Office, at (563)487-3541, for more information or to find out how you can make a contribution today.
Nature Center Renovation Fundraising Brochure
Nature Center Fundraising Sheet
Twin Rivers Review Newsletter
The Jones County Conservation Board newsletter the “Twin Rivers Review” comes out twice a year. Inside you will find everything you need to know to keep current including program schedules and meeting dates.
If you would like to be put on the mailing list for this newsletter please contact the JCCB at jccb@co.jones.ia.us.
Current Issue:
Fall/Winter 2011/2012
Past Issues:
Spring/Summer 2011
Fall/Winter 2010/2011
Spring/Summer 2010
Fall/Winter 2009/2010
Spring/Summer 2009
Fall/Winter 2008
Spring/Summer 2008
Service & Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers have become an increasingly important part of the management and operations of the Jones County Conservation Board 
Department. From clearing brush in prairies and on trails to assisting with prairie and tree planting projects, Jones CCB volunteers are taking part in the restoration and management of our natural ecosystems.
Volunteers serve important roles in educational activities and programs put on by the
JCCB, including the annual “Central Park Kids Fishing Derby”. Groups like the Jaycees, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Campfire Girls, Girl Scouts, and 4-H put in many hours each year picking up litter and assisting with special projects. From new trails to bridges and wildlife blinds, Jones County has benefited greatly from the hard work and dedication of scouts completing their Eagle Scout projects.
If you are interested in volunteering please contact the JCCB Administrative Office at (563) 487-3541. Make sure you receive the JCCB Newsletter, “The Twin Rivers Review”, to keep abreast of current volunteer opportunities.
Educational Program Wish List
The Jones County Conservation Environmental Education program has a variety of items that are needed for educational programming throughout the year. If you would like to donate any of the items on this list please contact the Jones County Conservation Board Naturalist at (563)487-3541 or at jccb@co.jones.ia.us.
Live Animal Supplies:
Aquatic and land turtle pellets
Fruit and vegetables (fresh or frozen)
Nightcrawlers
Waxworms
Small plastic animal carriers/terrariums
Bird seed (Fifty pound bags of sunflower seed and mixed seed)
Birding Programs:
A high quality birding scope & tripod
Child sized binoculars
Audubon stuffed toy birds that make correct sounds
Outside to inside sound system for bird feeding area at Nature Center.
Owl calls
Turkey calls (Hand held)
Clean turkey feathers (All sizes)
Geology & Archaeology Programs:
Fossils
Good quality rock samples
Local area artifacts
Mammal Programs:
Small section of tanned mountain lion fur
Bison horn and small section of tanned hide with fur
Tanned woodchuck hide with fur
Small section of tanned black bear hide with fur
Cleaned mountain lion skull
Tanned gray squirrel hide with fur
Animal track stamps
Other Equipment:
Knee waders in average sizes
Orange or bright colored hula hoops
Magnifying glasses
Pencils
Construction paper
Clip boards
Plastic tweezers
Aquatic insect nets
Plaster of Paris
Books, Videos, & DVD's:
On local natural history
About native wildlife
On local history