Free Resources
Animal Trunk
We have several nature trunks and teaching materials available for educators to check out.
- Trunks may be checked out for a two week period free of charge.
- All resources are free and require pick-up at Jester Park unless other arrangements are made in advance.
- Please call at least one week in advance to reserve these materials.
- Call 515-323-5300.
Animal Trunk: Watch out, this trunk is wild! We managed to cram amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals all in the same trunk. The trunk is filled with furs, skulls, books, posters, and a teaching guide.
Insect Trunk: This trunk is full of those six-legged critters we call insects. Real (non-living) insects, big plastic insects, books, posters, and videos are just a few of the things you’ll find in this creepy crawly trunk.
Literature Trunks: These urban environmental education trunks are packed with dozens of books, posters, puppets, and games developed for K-6th graders. These trunks are available FREE for up to one month.
Prairie Trunk: Open this trunk to get a glimpse of what Iowa used to look like! This trunk is as diverse as the prairie itself. Your students will get a chance to look at real samples of prairie grasses, feel furs of animals that once roamed Iowa, and learn why this incredible habitat has almost vanished.
EnviroScape: EnviroScape is a desktop model which demonstrates point and non-point source pollution as well as pollution prevention in a watershed. The EnviroScape includes a 65-page user's guide. The model is easy to clean and the materials come in a lightweight case.
Fishing Poles: Take your students fishing! Polk County Conservation Board has over 80 poles to be used. A $10 deposit fee will be required per rack (eight poles per rack) If more than 5 racks are checked out, a deposit fee of $50 will be required. If all poles are returned without tangled lines or broken reels, the deposit will be returned.