Events

OWLS "Behind the Badge: Meet the Park Rangers"

O.W.L.S. “Behind the Badge: Meet the Park Rangers”
12:00-1:00 pm
Environmental Learning Center

Adults of all ages are invited to join O.W.L.S. (Older, Wiser, Livelier Souls) for an informative program about park rangers. What does it take to care for our county parks? Join Mahaska County Conservation’s park rangers for an inside look at their work. They will discuss their many responsibilities, share memorable experiences, and explain how their skills and roles have grown over the years. Come meet the people working behind the scenes to maintain, improve, and protect our parks—and bring your questions!

Pre-registration is appreciated. You can sign up using this link:
https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Mahaska/Events

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Trick or Treat at the Environmental Learning Center

Trick or Treating at the Environmental Learning Center
5:00-8:00 pm
Environmental Learning Center

Keep the Halloween fun going and swing by the Environmental Learning Center for more treats and spooky surprises! Show off your costumes, collect candy, and check out the cool exhibits and live animals while you're here. Don’t forget to snap a photo at our selfie station next to the life-sized Woolly Mammoth skeleton—it’s the perfect spot for costume pics! Trick-or-treating will be available while supplies last.

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Knee-High Naturalists "Feathered Friends"

Knee-High Naturalists “Feathered Friends”
10:00-11:00 am
Environmental Learning Center

Children ages 5 and younger are invited to have some fun with our feathered friends! We’ll learn about birds, what they eat, and how bird feeders help them find food. Each child will make a bird treat to take home and place in their yard. We’ll also venture outdoors to help feed the birds at the Environmental Learning Center!

Pre-registrations are needed. Please sign up using this link:
https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Mahaska/Events

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Coffee Club

Coffee Club
9:00-10:00 am
Environmental Learning Center

Drop in and join us for fresh coffee and tasty treats on a Coffee Club day. We talk about upcoming programs, volunteer opportunities with Mahaska County Conservation, and about everything in nature.

This month, bring a coffee cup or mug and a thankful comment to share to take part in a door prize.

Registration is not needed, and we meet upstairs in the Discovery Lab. 

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Wildlife Game Night

Wildlife Game Night
6:00-7:00 pm
Environmental Learning Center

Bring the whole family for an evening of wildlife-themed fun! Test your knowledge and skills with Animal Sound Challenge, Animal Track Match-Up, Food Web Challenge, Who Am I?, and other hands-on games. Participants of all ages can play, learn, and discover fascinating facts about Iowa’s wildlife. No wildlife expertise is needed—just bring your sense of adventure!

Pre-registration is needed. Please sign up using this link:
https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Mahaska/Events

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Homeschool Science Lab "Wild About Turkeys"

Homeschool Science Lab “Wild About Turkeys”
10:00-11:00 am
Environmental Learning Center

Get ready to gobble up some fun facts about wild turkeys! Kids will explore the turkey life cycle, discover what turkeys eat, and learn about the different sounds they make. We’ll also uncover fascinating adaptations and surprising behaviors that help wild turkeys survive. Everyone will leave with plenty of interesting turkey facts to share!

Pre-registration is needed. Sign up using this link:
https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Mahaska/Events

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OWLS "Beyond the Gobble"

O.W.L.S. “Beyond the Gobble”
1:00-2:00 pm
Nature Playscape Pergola, Environmental Learning Center

Adults of all ages are welcome to join the O.W.L.S. (Older, Wiser, Livelier Souls) program. Discover the fascinating life of Iowa’s wild turkeys! We’ll explore their life cycle, diet, seasonal behaviors, communication, and impressive adaptations. Learn what different turkey calls mean, how these large birds survive throughout the year, and why they are an important part of Iowa’s woodlands. You may be surprised by how much there is to learn beyond the gobble!

Pre-registration is appreciated. Please call (641) 673-9327, email decook@mahaskacountyia.gov, or register online using this link:
https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Mahaska/Events

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Travelling Exhibit "Your Friendly Neighborhood: Explore Your Local Wildlife Wherever You May Be!"

Travelling Exhibit: “Your Friendly Neighborhood: Explore Your Local Wildlife Wherever You May Be!
View during regular building hours/December 4-31
Environmental Learning Center, Lower Level

You don’t have to travel far to discover wildlife—it’s all around you! This colorful, family-friendly exhibit introduces some of the animals that share our cities, farms, neighborhoods, and parks. Stop by, learn something new, and get inspired to head outside and explore nature in your own friendly neighborhood!

Parking is available on the front and back side of the ELC.  Please enter the front door of the building.  Stairs and elevator are accessible to go downstairs.

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Coffee Club

Coffee Club
9:00-10:00 am
Environmental Learning Center

Drop in and join us for fresh coffee and tasty treats on a Coffee Club day. We talk about upcoming programs, volunteer opportunities with Mahaska County Conservation, and about everything in nature.

This month, bring a coffee cup or mug that has Christmas decorations on it to take part in a door prize.

Registration is not needed, and we meet upstairs in the Discovery Lab. 

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Knee-High Naturalists "Nature's Mitten"

Knee-High Naturalists “Nature’s Mitten”
10:00-11:00 am
Environmental Learning Center

This free program is designed for children ages 5 and younger. This month, children are invited to enjoy The Mitten by Jan Brett and discover how animals use shelters to stay safe and warm during winter. After the story, we’ll have fun with a mitten-themed activity, and each child will create a special craft to take home!

Pre-registration is needed. You can sign up with this link:
https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Mahaska/Events 

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Sustainable Gift Wrapping & Decorating Workshop

Sustainable Gift Wrapping & Decorating Workshop
6:00-7:00 pm
Environmental Learning Center

Discover fun and simple ways to wrap and decorate your holiday presents while reducing waste. Learn how everyday materials—such as newspaper, reusable ribbon, pinecones, and other items from nature—can turn a gift into a charming creation. Come ready to be inspired and enjoy a festive evening of creativity, hot cocoa, and holiday treats!

Please sign up using this link:
https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Mahaska/Events

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Homeschool Science Lab "Make A T-shirt Tote Bag"

Homeschool Science Lab “Make a T-shirt Tote Bag”
10:00-11:00 am
Russell Wildlife Area

Turn an old t-shirt into something useful! Kids will cut and design a T-shirt to create a reusable no-sew tote bag for carrying books, toys, or anything else they choose. Please bring a T-shirt that can be cut and transformed. This is a fun way to give an unused item from home a brand-new purpose! Space is limited, so sign up soon.

Pre-registration is needed. Use this link to sign up:
https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Mahaska/Events

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OWLS "Christmas Cookie Decorating"

O.W.L.S. “Christmas Cookie Decorating”
11:00 am-12:00 pm
Environmental Learning Center

Adults of all ages are welcome to join the O.W.L.S. (Older, Wiser, Livelier Souls) program for a festive afternoon of holiday cookie decorating. We had so much fun doing this last year, we are doing it again! Bring a friend and enjoy a cozy, creative time decorating homemade sugar cookies. We’ll have coffee, hot chocolate, plenty of cookies to sample, and lots of holiday cheer!

Pre-registration is needed to reserve a seat. Please call (641) 673-9327, email decook@mahaskacountyia.gov, or register online using this link:
https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Mahaska/Events

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Birding With Ella "Mahaska Christmas Bird Count"

Birding With Ella “Mahaska Christmas Bird Count”
6:00 am - 12:00 pm
Locations Vary - Directions in Registration Link!

The Christmas Bird Count (CBC), run by Audubon, is the nation's longest-running community science project. People around the country organize local counts between December 14-January 5 each year.

This year will be a trial run for the Mahaska County CBC. Participants will be assigned a sector of the anticipated 15 square mile circle to cover. The time is a guideline; participants are welcome to conduct their count at any time throughout the day. This program is open for all ages and skill levels; we will pair beginner birders with those who are more experienced. Since this is a trial run year, we will not be submitting the data collected to Audubon. We will still compile results to send to participants and post on social media.

We will meet at the Environmental Learning Center at noon to go over the morning's findings and to gather feedback for making this an official count in the future. Hot drinks and treats will be provided! For more information on the Christmas Bird Count, visit the Audubon CBC page.

Please sign up using this link:
https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Mahaska/Events

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