Overview of the program in Dubuque County
This is a seven week program focused on educating participants about the natural resources present in Dubuque County and the efforts being done to preserve them. Highlighted topics include soils, forests, water, and prairies. The program consists of a combination of in-person and online educational activities. Most in person activities will be held outdoors and may include walking on rough terrain and long distances to reach certain activity locations.
2022 Master Conservationist Class Participants
Program Dates and Cost
The program will take place 6 pm Tuesdays, April 25 - June 6, 2023. There will be a total of seven meetings. Meetings will last from 1 to 3 hours based on daylight and the type of activity we will be doing. Cost for the 2023 program is $30. Payment can be made in advance of the class at the Dubuque County Extension Office or can be made at the first Master Conservationist meeting on April 25.
Registration
Registration for the 2023 program is now OPEN! You can do so in one of three ways listed below. The registration deadline is 12 Noon Monday, April 24. There will be a maximum class size of 30 people. Registration may close early if the maximum class size is met before the registration deadline.
- You can click HERE to register online
- Scan the QR code below.
- Call the Dubuque County Extension Office at (563) 583-6496
Proposed Meeting Outline and Locations
The Master Conservationist Program will follow the proposed timeline for topics and meetings listed below. Meetings will primarily take place in the rural areas of Dubuque County. Please note: Most in person activities will be held outdoors and may include walking on rough terrain and long distances to reach certain activity locations.
- Week 1- Orientation to take place at a local park - Ray Kruse who is the program coordinator, will go over the finalized schedule and talk about accessing the online material as well as meet fellow peers who are also interested in conservation.
- Week 2 - Soil resources and landscapes of Dubuque County - participants will visit a local farm and discuss the different soil landforms present in Dubuque County.
- Week 3 - Let's learn about forests - Participants will visit a local forest and hear from a local expert on forest management
- Week 4 - Let's learn about aquatic environments - participants will visit a local stream and listen to a local expert on water quality.
- Week 5 - Let's learn about prairies - participants will visit a local prairie and listen to a local expert discussing prairie management.
- Week 6 - Seeing conservation at work - participants will visit a local farm where conservation practices are actively being implemented.
- Week 7 - Sharing conservation with others - We will visit with a local conservation organization to hear about how they help others understand the value of our natural resources.
Dubuque County Program Contact
Ray Kruse is the office contact for the Dubuque County Master Conservationist Program. You can reach him via the information below.
Ray Kruse
Food Systems and Master Gardener Coordinator
(563) 583-6496
Need Teacher AEA Credits
Participants in Dubuque County are able to earn AEA license renewal credits for taking the program! Licensed teachers that are in need of renewal credits can earn 2 credits. Registration through AEA and an additional $70 fee to AEA are required. A short reflection on your experience in the program and what you learned will be used to grade your participation. For questions, please reach out to Kaycie Waters at kwaters@iastate.edu
A Collaborative Community Effort
This annual program could not happen without the generous collaboration of fellow community organizations helping our office to teach the class. The logos of the 2023 program collaborators will be posted below once they are finalized for the 2023 year.
This page was last updated by Ray Kruse on 2/15/2023
