Benton County Conservation

10/14/2026

Join us for our upcoming Nature Knowledge Day: Spiders! During this short, interactive program, we will learn all about spiders.

Young learners are encouraged to dress in costume. Participants do not have to be in a homeschool group to participate. This program is designed for youth in K-5th grade. Participants must register in advance by visiting https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Benton/Park/Benton-County-Nature-Center/Events/29939/Nature-Knowledge-Day-Spiders

Photo description: a flyer with a fuzzy jumping spider on a leaf. Flyer states: Spiders! October 30th, 10am. Intended for youth in K-5th grade. Registration is required at www.mycountyparks.com

10/13/2026

Attention on the Old Creamery Nature Trail!

Resurfacing has begun on a bridge on the trail, please use the detour to get around the section of trail. Barricades have been posted at the road intersections. Please be mindful and do not utilized that section of the trail.

Please follow alternate route:
From 59th St - Take 59th St west 1.5 miles to 14th Ave, turn north on 14th for .5 miles
From 14th Ave - Turn south on 14th Ave for .5 miles, turn east on 59th for 1.5 miles

Thank you for your patience as we continue to improve the trail for all.

10/12/2026

Whooo is that?! Join us for an Owl Prowl on October 15th from 6:30-8:00pm at the Benton County Nature Center. This program includes a short presentation about Iowa owls then we will take a quiet leisurely hike to call for owls. After our short hike, enjoy s’mores around the campfire!

Cost is $3 per family and requires registration at https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Benton/Park/Benton-County-Nature-Center/Events/29938/Owl-Prowl

Picture description: A program flyer with a barred owl on a mossy rock. Flyer includes location, time, cost and registration details.

10/09/2026

Benton County Conservation and Veterans Affairs to Dedicate Memorial Honoring Local Fallen Veterans

Garrison, Iowa - Benton County Conservation, Benton County Veterans Affairs, and the City of Garrison, are proud to come together to recreate and honor a meaningful memorial dedicated to Benton County veterans who gave their lives in service to our country during World War I and World War II.

The memorial, located at the Garrison Trailhead of the Old Creamery Nature Trail, will provide an opportunity for visitors to pause, reflect, and remember the local individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Benton County Conservation received a grant from The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), through the USDA Forest Service & National Association of State Foresters 2023 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), to plant trees in public spaces. We paired this grant opportunity with the vision of this living memorial.

A small dedication ceremony will be held on Tuesday, October 13, at 1:00 p.m. at the Garrison Trailhead. The ceremony will include a brief history of the original memorial, an introduction to the recreated memorial, and remarks recognizing the veterans and the community members who helped preserve their stories.

Warm beverages will be provided, and the public is invited to attend.

Benton County Conservation and Benton County Veterans Affairs would like to thank the City of Garrison, Iowa DNR, local veterans, community members, and everyone who helped make this project possible. This memorial is a reminder that while time may pass, the service and sacrifice of those who served should never be forgotten.

Benton County Veterans Affairs will design signage for this memorial to be placed in the future. If individuals would like to donate for the future signage for the signs, they can do so by donating to Benton County Conservation Foundation. Visit https://www.bentoncountyia.gov/conservation/donate/ or call 319-472-4942 opt 3 for more information.

Location: Garrison Trailhead, Old Creamery Nature Trail (west of Garrison Public Library 201 Pine St, Garrison, IA)
Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Refreshments: Warm beverages will be provided.

Photo description: A trail passes two benches with trees on both sides of the Garrison Trailhead on the Old Creamery Nature Trail

10/08/2026

Help us fill the time capsule!

As part of our 70th Anniversary Celebration, Benton County Conservation is creating a Time Capsule that will be opened during our 100th Anniversary in 2056!
We are collecting items that tell the story of our community, our parks, and life today. We'd love for you to be part of this project!

What would you want someone in 2056 to discover about Benton County in 2026?
Some ideas include: Photos of your favorite park adventures, Letters to future generations, Children's artwork, Newspaper clippings or event memorabilia and Small items that celebrate conservation and community.

Please keep submissions small and suitable for long-term storage. We'll be accepting items through October 23rd, before sealing the capsule and burying it during a special community celebration, to be announced at a later date.

Call the nature center to discuss your items and arrange drop off at 319-472-4942 opt 3. Submission deadline is Friday, October 23rd, 2026

Photo description: A flyer asking for help filling a time capsule to celebrate 70 years of conservation

10/07/2026

Whooo is that?!

Join us for an Owl Prowl on October 15th from 6:30-8:00pm at the Benton County Nature Center. This program includes a short presentation about Iowa owls then we will take a quiet leisurely hike to call for owls. After our short hike, enjoy s’mores around the campfire!

Cost is $3 per family and requires registration at https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Benton/Park/Benton-County-Nature-Center/Events/29938/Owl-Prowl

Picture description: A program flyer with a barred owl on a mossy rock. Flyer includes location, time, cost and registration details.

10/06/2026

Heads up around the Garrison section of Old Creamery Nature Trail!

Crews are prepping for our tree planting work commencing next week.

The trail surface might be rough and there will be debris as we are working.

Thank you for your patience and stay tuned for updates!

10/06/2026

We are excited to be working on again this year with Vinton Public Library! We have our first event this week - it's All About Bison!

Join us to learn about bison, see reconstructed bison parts and how indigenous peoples utilized them. Registration is required by visiting https://www.eventbrite.com/e/all-about-bison-program-tickets-1998970182627?aff=odcleoeventsincollection

Photo description: flyer about the bison program at Vinton Public Library on Thursday October 8th at 6pm. Flyer includes a picture of a bison bull standing amongst tall grass.

10/05/2026

Check out our latest edition of our quarterly newsletter, The Nature of Things! In this issue we have a recollection on reintroduction of Canada geese, an article about garden spiders, prescribed burns in the loess hills experience by one of our Conservation Techs and our calendar of events.

To view our newsletter and to get signed up to receive it virtually, visit

Subscribe to Benton County Conservation's newsletter with our online signup form. View archived conservation newsletters.

10/04/2026

Flood Alert – Cedar River Access

The Cedar River remains high and fast-moving. Please use extreme caution near the water. Turn around, don’t drown!

- All boat ramps and river access areas are currently underwater.
- Hoefle-Dulin: Temporarily closed due to flooding.
- Benton City-Fry: Only accessible from the top drive – lower roads are under water.

- Stay river aware and help us keep everyone safe.

- Check current river levels here:
https://water.noaa.gov/gauges/05464315