Friends of Butler County Conservation

03/26/2026

Earth day activities!! 🌎 Be sure to register - information is below ⬇️

EDIT 4/21/26: It is EARTH WEEK!!! Don't forget to join us for a walk on Earth Day (that's tomorrow the 22nd) at Boylan Creek and/or our walk at Heery Woods Park on the north side near the bike trail. Both walks start at 5:00 PM. Check out all the details on mycountyparks.com!
If you missed registering for the soy candles, we will plan another evening for this in the future.

Earth Day is just around the corner, and we wanted to give you a look at what we have planned for Earth Week so far.
We have a Soy Candle Making 101 class on April 21 at 6:30 PM. The cost is $20 per person, and you will go home with two hand-made candles. Registration is required on mycountyparks.com, and space is limited.
April 22 is Earth Day, and we are going to take an evening walk at Boyland Creek Wildlife Management Area near Bristow starting at 5:00 PM.
And April 23 we will host a Spring Wildflower Walk and garlic mustard pull at Heery Woods Park - North Side starting at 5:00 PM.
All the details can be found on mycountyparks.com.
Stay tuned here for any additional programming that might be added.

03/25/2026

What birds have you seen??

Keep an eye in the sky and at our page as we discover birds commonly found in Iowa! 🐦

We've heard lots of community members saying they've seen robins around - have you? Migration has begun for thousands of birds making their way north in search for breeding areas and it'd be fun to share with you what common birds will be passing through and are found in Iowa.

Over the next 6 weeks we share information and resources about 6 different birds common to Iowa. All of our information will be coming from other websites which will be noted and you can go to their website and find all the awesome information about different birds OR you can get small doses on our page. So, follow along with us for the next 6 weeks and hopefully you'll spy with your little eye a bird you recognize while strolling or biking on the RPT!

First up: One we all should be familiar with because it's Iowa's State Bird: American Goldfinch.

Fun Facts about American Goldfinches
*The state bird for Washington and New Jersey too. American Goldfinches are common birds in most parts of the USA. Their endearing appearance and song helped this species become the official bird for three different states.
*The “Wild Canary”. On account of its yellow plumage, complex song, and common distribution, another name for this species is the “Wild Canary.”
*They nest later than most other birds. While most birds nest in the spring, American Goldfinches don’t make a nest until June and July. These months are when a lot more seeds are available for this seed-eating bird.
*They change their feathers twice per year. Although most birds change their feathers once per year, the American Goldfinch molts two times a year; once in winter, and another time in late fall.
*A vegetarian. American Goldfinches are one of the few bird species that only eat seeds.
*Migrate just south of freezing weather. American Goldfinches migrate to areas just south of regions with temperatures stay below freezing for extended periods of time.

INFO SOURCE: birdwatchingheadquarters.com, https://www.birdzilla.com/learn/iowa-state-bird/

02/06/2026

More events to add to your calendar!!

02/02/2026

It’s back!!! Be sure to get it in your calendars! And share! Share! Share! We’d love to see a full room of bingo players 🎉

11/07/2025

Current and new members will be able to pick up their water bottle sticker at our annual meeting on November 15th ❤️

10/21/2025

Want to become a member? Just fill out this google form and we will get you all the info you need!

Please fill out if you would like more information on how you could become a Friend of Butler County Conservation.

10/07/2025

Friends of BCC would love for you to join us at our annual meeting featuring a program by KIP LADAGE 🦉🌳🌼

New or renewed memberships get a complimentary mocktail from MOCKTAIL MAMA 🧋🥤🍹

We will have a (short) meeting with board nominations starting at 6:00 PM. If you love the outdoors, have a passion for volunteerism, enjoy hosting events, and want to help Butler County Conservation... then join us!!! Membership information is available at all Butler County libraries or email [email protected] or send us a FB message and we can get you info!

10/06/2025

Head out to the Heery Woods loop and see if you can find all 8 hidden around the trail! 🎃

There may even be a scarecrow hidden up high! 👀

10/01/2025

FRIENDS!!! Friends of Butler County Conservation needs your help! We are looking for some Halloween/fall decor to decorate some locations along the Rolling Prairie Trail. If you have anything you’d be able to donate, we’d be forever grateful!

Things like: straw bales, pumpkins, corn stalks, etc.

We are more than happy to pick up! Decorating is happening Sunday! Thank you!!!!

09/23/2025

HALLOWEEN HIKE TIME IS ALMOST HERE!
Nature's Superheroes is the theme, and you will get to meet BAT-man, SPIDER-man, The Ant, Wasp, and the Wolverine!!
Registration begins October 1 at 7:00 AM. Please call to register for the quickest response time.
If you know someone who would be a good actor or guide, send them our way. We are in need of one or two actors to play a couple of our characters this year as well as a few people to guide the groups around the trail.
WE CAN"T WAIT!!

09/20/2025

New Logo for Friends of Butler County Conservation!!

Earlier this year, the Friends of Butler County Conservation held a logo contest, which was open to the public. The selection committee selected a logo submitted by Monica Edeker, a graphic designer from Allison. Monica enjoys kayaking, fishing, walking the local trails with her dog, and photographing landscapes, nature, and wildlife.

Her grandpa, Roy Edeker, served on the Butler County Conservation Board for 35 years. He had a deep love for trees and nature, and he shared his passion for birdwatching with Monica. He was dedicated to preserving parks and trails for future generations and always encouraged her to explore her creativity. When she came across the logo contest for the Friends of Butler County Conservation, she felt it was the perfect opportunity to blend her love of design with his commitment to conservation.

Creating this logo was a meaningful and enjoyable break from her usual design work. The logo features earth tones and incorporates elements that reflect Iowa’s natural heritage. The Goldfinch, Iowa’s state bird, and the Oak leaves represent strong ties to the state. Cattails and Black-eyed Susans pay tribute to the diverse native plants that once thrived across Iowa’s prairies—now primarily found along trails, in roadside ditches, and in CRP fields.

The Friends of Butler County Conservation is always looking for new members. For more information on how you can become a member, email [email protected] or stop by the Allan and Fayette Meyer Nature Center for a membership form. Membership information is also available at all Butler County libraries!

Our group is small but mighty and we'd love to have you join us!