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Master Conservationist Program in Region 18

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Region 18 will offer the Iowa Master Conservationist program in spring of 2022 in Jasper, Poweshiek, Marion and Mahaska Counties. The program will meet in various sites within these counties to provide the participants with hands-on interaction with the diversity of the state’s natural resources.  brochure
 
The program teaches about Iowa’s natural ecosystems and the diversity of conservation challenges and opportunities that exist in the region. Graduates of the course learn to make informed choices for leading and educating others to improve conservation in Iowa.
 
Master Conservationists are individuals who share an interest in the stability of Iowa’s natural resources, and in becoming better stewards of Iowa’s resources. This program alone will not make a person a “master”, but this course is a step in that journey.
 
The program consists of approximately 12 hours of online curriculum and six in person meetings. The online modules will include lessons and resources by Iowa State subject matter experts to be reviewed at the participant’s own pace, at home or at the ISU Extension and Outreach offices. Module topics include conservation history and science, understanding Iowa ecosystems, implementing conservation practices in human dominated landscapes, and developing skills to help educate others about conservation practices.
 
In person meetings will build on the online sessions and be held from 6 pm-9 pm at various sites with Jasper, Poweshiek, Marion, and Mahaska Counties.
 
The session dates and locations are:
May 5 - Orientation, Red Rock Visitors Center-Marion County
May 12 - Ashton-Wildwood Park-Jasper County
May 19 - Quercus Wilderness Area-Mahaska County
May 26 - Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge-Jasper County
June 2 - Lake Red Rock-Marion County
June 9 - Drake Community Library-Poweshiek County
June 16 - Closing session, Conrad Environmental Research Area-Poweshiek County
 
Each meeting will be led by local subject matter experts to demonstrate how the principles covered in the online curriculum and play out locally. Participants will work with program partners, who include Iowa DNR, Jasper, Poweshiek, Marion and Mahaska Counties’ Conservation. NRCS, and ISU Extension and Outreach, along with educational experts in their fields.

Registration for the course is $60 per participant. Payment is due at the time of registration. There is limited registration. To register, contact Marion County Extension office; 210 N. Iowa Street, PO Box 409, Knoxville, IA 50138; phone 641- 842-2014; or email Lydia Dingeman, dingeman@iastate.edu Deadline is April 25, 2022.
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You are invited to join a Marion County 4-H Club! (grades 4-12)!

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Finding Answers Now: 

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/disaster-recovery