News and Announcements
![Monitoring Water Quality at Easter Lake](/media/n23liec5/water-quality-monitoring-spring-snapshot-2023-1.jpg?width=512)
Conservation Promoted
Monitoring Water Quality at Easter Lake
During the summer recreation season, Polk County Conservation staff are regularly monitoring the water in Easter Lake, taking samples weekly for testing. Every week on Thursday or Friday, weekly results will be posted here.
![Plotting a Comeback](/media/5arokosm/processed-e5686cca-bd9a-4c0a-b3fc-baba2b835be4-895f6962-705c-4561-a50e-4304aaeefd92-jpeg.jpeg?width=512)
![Construction Roundup: Summer Projects](/media/3ctkf52u/hard-hat-tour-of-athene-north-shore-recreation-area.jpg?width=512)
Conservation Promoted
Construction Roundup: Summer Projects
This summer Polk County Conservation Parks are getting upgrades! As the temperature increases, stay informed on all the projects and closures happening in the parks.
![Flooding Closures 2024](/media/zrwmwzfe/archive-photo-of-2018-flood-at-jester-park.jpg?width=512)
Conservation News
Flooding Closures 2024
Recent heavy rain has caused flooding at various sites across Polk County Parks.
![Scavenger Hunt at Strasser Woods State Preserve](/media/lhacmemn/img_2118.jpg?width=512)
Conservation News
Scavenger Hunt at Strasser Woods State Preserve
Fun ways to enjoy Strasser Woods State Preserve.
![Invasive Buy Back Program](/media/y3jaqchk/callerypear2.jpg?width=512)
Conservation News
Invasive Buy Back Program
Polk County Conservation is implementing a Callery (Bradford) Pear and Burning Bush “buy-back” program for residents of Polk County, Iowa.
![2024 Prescribed Burning Season](/media/plfkif40/prescribed-burn-lael.jpg?width=512)
Conservation News
2024 Prescribed Burning Season
Prescribed burn season is upon us! Our Natural Resource Crews will be conducting prescribed burning in our parks and trails as weather allows this week and extending through the spring season.
![No Snow, No Problem](/media/0acb4ivs/red01408.jpg?width=512)
Conservation News
No Snow, No Problem
Slide down a 600-foot-long hill tubing starting this spring at Sleepy Hollow.
![What is a Wetland?](/media/yh3d0lnn/brenton-slough-2023.png?width=512)
Conservation News
What is a Wetland?
A wetland is an area of land that is continuously or periodically wet during the year. Also called swamps, marshes, bogs, or prairie potholes, Iowa was once dotted with thousands of wetlands.
![Timber Stand Improvement](/media/xoxnosbw/volunteers-cut-invasives.jpg?width=512)
Conservation News
Timber Stand Improvement
Timber Stand Improvement (TSI) is a form of restoration work that occurs in degraded woodlands with the goal of improving the quality of native tree and plant species. Often this involves reducing the quantity of trees, especially non-native varieties.
![Thrills, Chills, And Gills](/media/xpapio0o/fort-des-moines-winter-2022.jpg?width=512)
Conservation News
Thrills, Chills, And Gills
Ice fishing is a great way to take advantage of the cooler months and enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, Polk County has resources for you to have a safe and satisfying experience.
![Long-time Conservation Volunteer Wins 2023 Hagie Heritage Award](/media/5umaw4ey/john-zeitler-and-ron-eckoff_20150708.jpg?width=512)
Conservation News
Long-time Conservation Volunteer Wins 2023 Hagie Heritage Award
The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) has selected Dr. Ron Eckoff to receive the 2023 Hagie Heritage Award.
![Serenity at Fort Des Moines Park](/media/skxn4fcj/fort-des-moines-fall-2022web1.jpg?width=512)
Conservation News
Serenity at Fort Des Moines Park
An itinerary for a peaceful day at Fort Des Moines Park. A way to explore the park while finding peace; improving both your physical and mental health.
![A Day at Carney Marsh](/media/1knflzyv/img_1789.jpg?width=512)
Conservation News
A Day at Carney Marsh
Listening to the sounds of nature one might hear while enjoying the beauty of Carney Marsh.
![New, Year-Round Recreation Feature Coming to Sleepy Hollow Sports Park](/media/tq5bshbl/snowflex-promo-photo.jpg?width=512)
Conservation News
New, Year-Round Recreation Feature Coming to Sleepy Hollow Sports Park
Polk County Conservation announces phased approach to re-launching the winter sports destination.
![Crane Meadows: 300+ Acres of Potential](/media/1exa52qv/dji_0005.jpg?width=512)
Conservation News
Crane Meadows: 300+ Acres of Potential
After several years of extensive restoration work, the wildlife area is now part of Polk County Conservation's family of parks.
![The Lockards: Looking Back on the Legacy of Two Caretakers](/media/4atponqw/img_2786-sun-coming-up-behind-santiago-woods-april-25-2022_.jpg?width=512)
Conservation News
The Lockards: Looking Back on the Legacy of Two Caretakers
The story behind the couple who gave away over 8 acres of land to Polk County Conservation.
![Scent Detection Dogs: The Fluffy Face of Conservation](/media/x10b520o/sniffing-7.jpg?width=512)
Conservation News
Scent Detection Dogs: The Fluffy Face of Conservation
How Polk County Conservation uses scent detection dogs to aid in the restoration of Ornate Box Turtles.
![Seeking public input on updates to Riverwalk Dog Park, new parking lot.](/media/qpnnnxt3/dog-at-dog-park.jpg?width=512)
Conservation News
Seeking public input on updates to Riverwalk Dog Park, new parking lot.
Meeting scheduled for March 7 at 5:30 pm.
![Seeking public input on proposed mountain bike park and related re-zoning.](/media/5c2dca5l/bike.jpg?width=512)
Conservation News
Seeking public input on proposed mountain bike park and related re-zoning.
View virtual presentation on the project.
![Long-anticipated bridge over Beaver Creek opens along Trestle to Trestle Trail.](/media/1mpb4nhk/night-photo-photo-credit_-greg-ramm.png?width=512)
Conservation News
Long-anticipated bridge over Beaver Creek opens along Trestle to Trestle Trail.
A major artery between the cities of Johnston and Des Moines is once again flowing with cyclists and walkers.
![Trestle to Trestle Bridge Replacement Begins](/media/qpjichvu/north-south-view.png?width=512)
Conservation News
Trestle to Trestle Bridge Replacement Begins
We are excited to announce that construction for the Trestle to Trestle Bridge replacement has begun. This bridge is the connector between the cities of Johnston and Des Moines and a key element of the very popular urban Trestle to Trestle Trail.
![Prescribed Burning Season](/media/5zuf3eey/20190424_112042-2.jpg?width=512)
Conservation News
Prescribed Burning Season
Prescribed burn has begun in Polk County Conservation’s parks and trails. Natural resource crews will be conducting prescribed burning as weather allows from starting the third week of August.
![Striving to make Easter Lake Park's north shore the most accessible park in America.](/media/woonzc4n/2022_07-10_polk-cc-easter-lake-1a-birds-eye-of-site_dd_final.jpg?width=512)
Conservation News
Striving to make Easter Lake Park's north shore the most accessible park in America.
$8.1 million park enhancements will offer universal access to nature, recreation for people of all abilities.
![Polk County Designated a Bird Friendly Community](/media/r4wjjg4i/bufflehead-male-and-female.jpg?width=512)
Conservation News
Polk County Designated a Bird Friendly Community
Bird Friendly Iowa announced that Polk County is among the first counties in Iowa to be designated as a Bird Friendly Community.
![Invest in the Environment with Conservation Credits](/media/ybwnfpyq/four-mile-creek-1024x683.jpg?width=512)
Conservation News
Invest in the Environment with Conservation Credits
With help from the Great Outdoors Foundation, you can now invest in the environment and feel good about your choices with Conservation Credits.
![Sleepy Hollow Sports Park to Join Polk County Conservation’s Family of Parks](/media/xsopr0gj/34608443_2018589828174096_3767848772965498880_n.jpg?width=512)
Conservation News
Sleepy Hollow Sports Park to Join Polk County Conservation’s Family of Parks
We are excited to welcome Sleepy Hollow to Polk County Conservation’s family of parks and trails! Sleepy Hollow is a 76-acre sports and family recreation complex located on the east side of Des Moines. Learn more!