Whiterock Conservancy

06/19/2026

A NEW, exciting partnership this summer with the Darling Institute has provided an increase in our intern capacity and natural resource enhancements!

The Mission of the Jay N. Darling Institute at Drake University is to provide educational and scholarly expertise for rural communities so that their citizens have improved access to quality health care and education, nutritious food, unimpaired natural resources, and ongoing economic and cultural opportunities.

Please welcome Alexis, a Vilsack Darling Intern, thanks to the generosity of Governor Tom and Christie Vilsack and other donors.

06/18/2026

THIS WEEKEND! Don't miss our 2nd Summer Adventure program at Whiterock Conservancy!!

NEW this year - STEM SUMMER ADVENTURES!!

Whiterock is excited to bring new ways to learn and grow at Whiterock Conservancy through our FREE STEM summer adventures!

Join us for some science fun! Register for 1 or more of these FREE events by calling 712-790-8221 x1 or emailing [email protected].

06/17/2026

Each year, Whiterock is excited to partner with and host Green Iowa AmeriCorps members! As our two 11-month members Analisa and James work towards the end of their term this fall, they are joined by summer member Maddy!

This partnership allows Whiterock the ability and capacity to increase our ecological restoration efforts and outreach footprint! These members take on a variety of responsibilities from presenting educational programs to ensuring safe trails and improving our native habitats!

If you see any of our members while you are out visiting Whiterock, please make sure to thank them for their contributions!

If you know of anyone interested in serving as a Green Iowa AmeriCorps member, check out the link below! Whiterock is currently interviewing for 11-month positions starting this fall!!

Apply Now!
https://www.greeniowaamericorps.org/open-positions

06/16/2026

Thank you everyone for watching our Hwy 141 Episode tonight! You can stream the episode below as well:

Take a trip along Highway 141, from Manning to the Des Moines suburbs.

06/15/2026

Don't miss this!! Tonight on Road Trip Iowa, catch HWY 141 and Whiterock Conservancy and the rest of the route at 9:00 p.m. and Saturdays at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

06/11/2026

TRAIL UDATE - 6-11-2026

Whiterock Conservancy has multiple events happening this weekend that will involve heavy trail usage. Please be aware that the horse trails will be heavily utilized, along with the southern portions of our trail sections including: Shooting Star, Little Dipper, Long Creek and Big Dipper trails for a running event.

06/09/2026

💫 Providing memorable experiences just got easier! Our very own Star Field Campground is now available for reservations for sites #1-6!

Our dark sky designated campground is ready for your unique family getaway, romantic weekend or active adventure!

Let us do the work by adding on your firewood delivery at checkout for a campsite ready for fun!

Book today to secure your adventure this summer!
https://www.whiterockconservancy.org/star-field-campground

06/08/2026

Thank you to the Neighborhood Beer Micro-grant on behalf of the Big Grove for Good Foundation for funding our project and furthering the mission of Big Grove for Good by investing in the neighborhoods and communities you care so deeply about.

Whiterock is proud to partner with Big Grove and provide opportunities for the public to experience and learn from this landscape.

Fire is heavily utilized for habitat management at Whiterock. The management of aggressive non-native species through fire will help encourage the growth of a healthy woodland and remnant prairie area with native plant species through these varied methods. These native plant species will boost the quality of contiguous habitat and wildlife at Whiterock and improve the number of species of greatest conservation need in the area.

This grant provides significant improvements to our team and volunteer safety for habitat restoration capacity that will provide opportunities to increase our efforts to restore and preserve Iowa's natural resources.

THANK YOU! Big Grove Brewery

06/08/2026

6-8-2026 - All trails are open to all activities. Please use caution and avoid wet areas.