For your convenience, we have included other wonderful programs being offered by our partners Clinton County Conservation Board!

July

25^th ~ Wilderness Music ~ 7 PM ~ Thomson Causeway ~ Chuck Jacobsen, a local folk musician and Clinton County Conservation Board naturalist, invites all ages to enjoy "Wilderness Music", the music of John Denver, Charlie McGuire and others.

26^th ~ Canoeing the Mississippi Backwaters ~ 8 AM ~ Thomson Causeway ~ Join Chuck Jacobsen for basic instruction, followed by canoeing. All canoeing gear will be supplied.

26^th ~ Blue Heron Rides ~ 9AM ~ Rock Creek ~ We will be offering special 1-hour, naturalist-guided rides aboard the Blue Heron pontoon boat on the Mississippi River. First come, first served. $4/adult, $3/children under 16 and under 5 are free.

26^th ~ Clinton County EnviroKids ~ 9AM-12 PM ~ Bickelhaupt Arboretum ~ Plant a shoe full of flowers and learn how rocks make ice cream with the Clinton County Master Gardeners and ISU-Clinton County Extension at the Bickelhaupt Arboretum. Call Ashley at Clinton Co. Extension, 563-659-5125 to register. Participation is free and kids get a souvenir T-shirt!

26^th ~ Nature Center Open ~ 1-4 PM ~ Eden Valley

26^th ~ Great Lakes Style Fish Boil ~ 5-8 PM ~ Rock Creek

26^th ~ Hayrack Rides ~ 7 PM ~ Eden Valley ~ Good times aboard this 1½-hour, ranger-guided hayrack ride to McAndrews Wildlife Area. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

26^th ~ Observatory Open House ~ Dusk ~ Sherman Park ~ Join the Quad Cities Astronomical Society at Sherman Park's north end to explore the night sky. Jupiter, Cygnus and Hercules will be visible. If cloudy or raining, there will be slide shows and talks in the observatory.

31^st ~ Sunset Cruise, Blue Heron ~ 7 PM ~ Rock Creek ~ Call 563-259-1876

reservations; $6/adult & $4/child under 16.

31^st~ Diggin' Up the Roots of Root Beer ~ 6:30 PM ~ Soaring Eagle Nature Center ~ Come and enjoy a cold one, root beer that is. While you are here we will dig up the history of root beer, experiment with a homemade brew, and experience a delicious root beer float with homemade ice cream.

August

2^nd ~ Free Canoeing ~ All Day ~ Rock Creek ~ Rent the canoes, free of charge, for use in the Rock Creek area all day.

2^nd ~ Crossroads Triathlon ~ 7:30 AM ~ Killdeer Recreation Area ~ Clinton County's only triathlon will be a great event! Participants will start with a 500-yard swim in Lake Killdeer, then bike 15 miles, and then run 3.1 miles. Contact race organizers at 563-349-1136 or visit www.topshelfraceproductions.com.

2^nd ~ Spelunking ~ 10 AM ~ Eden Valley ~ Take a wild cave tour at Werden's Cave with a naturalist. Meet at Eden Valley Nature Center; pre-registration is recommended, 563-847-7202.

2^nd ~ Nature Center Open ~ 1-4 PM ~ Eden Valley

2^nd ~ Great Lakes Style Fish Boil ~ 5-8 PM ~ Rock Creek ~

7^th ~ Sunset Cruise, Blue Heron ~ 7 PM ~ Rock Creek

Call 563-259-1876 reservations; $6/adult & $4/child under 16.

9^th ~ Clinton County EnviroKids ~ 9 AM to 12 PM ~ Clinton Izaak Walton League ~ Fun on the pond at the Ikes-fishing, canoeing, and water exploration. Lunch will be furnished. Call Ashley at Clinton Co. Extension, 563-659-5125 to register. Participation is free and kids get a souvenir T-shirt!

9^th ~ Nature Center Open ~ 1-4 PM ~ Eden Valley

9^th ~ Great Lakes Style Fish Boil ~ 5-8 PM ~ Rock Creek

9^th ~ Hayrack Rides ~ 7 PM ~ Eden Valley ~ Good times aboard this 1½-hour, ranger-guided hayrack ride to McAndrews Wildlife Area. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

9^th ~ Bats, Bats, Bats! ~ 7 PM ~

Rock Creek ~ Learn about the bats that call Iowa home in the pavilion, then take a short walk to observe a stream of bats pouring out of their daytime roosts into the Mississippi River Bottoms for a night of bug feasting!

11^th - 13^th ~ Middle School Summer Camp ~ CCCB Headquarters, Grand Mound ~ Middle School Students (going into Grades 6-8) are invited to spend 2 days of adventure and investigations in our Great Outdoors. As part of our "Rewilding Iowa" efforts, registered teens are invited to take a 48-hour trip with naturalists Jessica Steines and Chuck Jacobsen down the Wapsipinicon River, canoeing, swimming, camping, fishing, fossil & rock collecting and water testing tributary streams. Each will need a sleeping bag and mat, flashlight, sun screen, insect repellent, rain gear and small tent (optional). Participants must be brought in and registered at the CCCB Headquarters by a consenting parent or guardian no later than noon the morning of August 11th and picked up there no later than noon the morning of August 13th. The registration form included in this newsletter and $25 fee are due by July 28th.

11^th ~ Mussel Cruise ~ 7 PM ~ Rock Creek ~ The Blue Heron will take participants out to learn about and wade for freshwater mussels. Freshwater mussels are the most endangered group of animals on earth; find out why. Call 563-259-1876 reservations; $6/adult & $4/child under 16.

14^th ~ Sunset Cruise, Blue Heron ~ 7 PM ~ Rock Creek

Call 563-259-1876 reservations; $6/adult & $4/child under 16.

14^th ~ Old Time River Music Moonlight Cruise ~ 9 PM ~ Rock Creek ~ Several musicians will play by the moonlight aboard a special Eco Cruise. If you like Bluegrass don't miss this once in a blue moon event. Call 563-259-1876 reservations; $6/adult & $4/child under 16.

15^th - 17^th ~ Hunter Safety Education Camp ~ 6 PM (Fri)-4 PM (Sun) ~ Wapsi Center ~ Standard hunter safety courses are 10 hours long. In this event, we will go far beyond the basics. In addition to all of the hunter education standards, we will be teaching advanced shooting techniques, bowhunter safety, trapping, waterfowl, turkey & raccoon hunting, dog training, caring for game in the field, first aid, wildlife ID, calling and a whole lot more! All these activities will allow students to actually participate, not just listen to speakers or watch films. The course is open to kids, age 11-16, whether or not they have received the Hunter Education Certificates already. Cost per student is $35 for meals. Clinton County students are $10 thanks to a donation from Clinton County Pheasants Forever. Clinton Area Whitetails Unlimited will be providing monetary support to help cover the cost of lodging, ammunition and targets for the participants. Overnight chaperones will be provided by participants' parents. Space is limited to 50 kids, so sign up early by calling 563-847-7202.

16^th ~ Volunteer Workday ~ 9 AM ~ Soaring Eagle Nature Center ~ Call 563-357-0759 for details.

16^th - Bear Creep Stomp ~ 10AM-12 PM ~ Eden Valley ~ Cool off in the creek while we explore the secret lives of aquatic invertebrates and test the creek's water quality.

16^th ~ Nature Center Open ~ 1-4 PM ~ Eden Valley

16^th ~ Great Lakes Style Fish Boil ~ 5-8 PM ~ Rock Creek

16^th ~ Hayrack Rides ~ 7 PM ~ Rock Creek ~ Good times aboard this ½-hour, ranger-guided hayrack ride around the park.

21^st ~ Sunset Cruise, Blue Heron ~7 PM ~ Rock Creek ~

Call 563-259-1876 reservations; $6/adult & $4/child under 16.

22^nd - 24^th ~ Third Annual LWRCP ~ Lower Wapsipinicon River Clean-up Project ~ 8AM-4PM ~ Rock Creek Marina & Campground ~ Please join us again to clean up the Wapsi. We will begin Saturday morning at Allen's Grove Park near Donahue, IA, and end Sunday afternoon at Walter's Landing near McCausland, IA. Base camp for Friday and Saturday nights will be at Rock Creek Marina. Tent camping is free; cabins and electrical sites are available at your own expense. Showers, flush toilets and running water will be available at the campground. The Friday night is optional, but the community campfire is fun. You must be checked in prior to 8 AM Saturday morning. Saturday evening's naturalist lead programs will add to your knowledge of rivers and their inhabitants. Participants may feed themselves or order catered meals in advance with their registration. This includes all three meals on Saturday, and breakfast and lunch on Sunday. There are also convenience stores and restaurants in the surrounding towns. T-shirts can also be ordered. A limited number of canoes, paddles, and orange "keyhole" PFDs will be provided free though you may want to use your own. PFD's will be worn at all times while participants are on the river. Go to http://www.lowerwapsicleanup.org/

23^rd ~ Blue Heron Rides ~ 9AM ~ Rock Creek ~ We will be offering special 1-hour, naturalist-guided rides aboard the Blue Heron pontoon boat on the Mississippi River. First come, first served. $4/adult, $3/children under 16 and under 5 are free.

23^rd ~ Clinton County EnviroKids ~ 9 AM-12 PM ~ Bickelhaupt Arboretum ~ Discover the world of butterflies and tag your own butterfly at the Arboretum. Call Ashley at Clinton Co. Extension, 563-659-5125 to register. Participation is free and kids get a souvenir T-shirt!

23^rd ~ Nature Center Open ~ 1-4 PM ~ Eden Valley

23^rd ~ Great Lakes Style Fish Boil ~ 5-8 PM ~ Rock Creek

23^rd ~ Saturday Night at the Movies ~ Dusk ~ Eden Valley

26^th & 27^th ~ Boat Iowa, Safety Certification Course ~ 5PM - 8PM ~ Rock Creek ~ Boater education certification is required by law for some Iowa boaters (solo operators 12 - 18 years of age). Even if it's not required for you, becoming certified may save you money on boating insurance. You have three ways to be certified: over the internet - learn what you need online and successfully complete the on-line test, in the classroom - share the experience with other interested students and qualified instructors or contact the Iowa DNR for home study options. Our workshop will require participants to attend both evenings and will include hands on operation of water craft. To register call 563-847-7202 by August 19th. Space is limited and will be filled on a first call basis. If you can't make it to our certification workshop the Iowa DNR can inform you about other program opportunities in the area. contact the DNR by calling 515-281-5918.

28^th ~ Sunset Cruise, Blue Heron ~7 PM ~ Rock Creek ~

Call 563-259-1876 reservations; $6/adult & $4/child under 16.

28^th ~ Trumpeter Swan Open House ~ 5 PM ~ Bob Boock Farm, Wheatland ~ Join the CCCB naturalists and Bob Boock for a quiet evening of waterfowl watching at Bob Boock's Nature's Acres Wildlife Refuge. Observe this year's trumpeter swan cygnets. This will also be a chance to observe the dozens of Canada geese and ducks which make the Boock ponds their home. The farm is 2 miles north of Wheatland on County Road Y32.

30^th ~ Nature Center Open ~ 1-4 PM ~ Eden Valley

30^th ~ Great Lakes Style Fish Boil ~ 5-8 PM ~ Rock Creek

30^th ~ Observatory Open House ~ Dusk ~ Sherman Park ~ Join the Quad Cities Astronomical Society at Sherman Park's north end to explore the night sky. Aquarius and Pegasus will be visible. If cloudy or raining, there will be slide shows and talks in the observatory.

September

4^th ~ Sunset Cruise, Blue Heron ~ 6 PM ~ Rock Creek ~

Call 563-259-1876 reservations; $6/adult & $4/child under 16.

6^th ~ Clinton County EnviroKids ~ 9 AM to Noon ~ Rock Creek ~ Join a Clinton County naturalist on-board the new Blue Heron pontoon boat for an Eco Cruise. We will cruise the main channel, the backwaters and do a mini-beach litter patrol. Life jackets provided and required to wear. Call Ashley at Clinton Co. Extension, 563-659-5125 to register. Deadline for registration: July 6^th. Participation is free and kids get a souvenir T-shirt!

6^th ~ Nature Center Open ~ 1-4 PM ~ Eden Valley

11^th ~ Kindernature: Majestic Monarchs! ~ 10 AM ~ DeWitt Community Center ~ Come and bring your three- to five-year-olds to learn why monarch butterflies are so majestic. Not only will your kids learn a thing or two, they will be helping me, Jessica Steines, tag live monarchs for the North America monitoring program (www.monarchwatch.org). The kids will learn a boy from a girl, name the monarch, tag it, and then release it for someone else to find along its migration route to Mexico. To help the monarchs, come to the DeWitt Community Center located at 512 10th St. right across from the library.

11^th ~ Sunset Cruise, Blue Heron ~ 6 PM ~Rock Creek ~

Call 563-259-1876 reservations; $6/adult & $4/child under 16.

13^th ~ Nature Center Open ~ 1-4 PM ~ Eden Valley

18^th ~ Sunset Cruise, Blue Heron ~ 6 PM ~Rock Creek ~

Call 563-259-1876 reservations; $6/adult & $4/child under 16.

20^th ~ Volunteer Workday ~ 9 AM ~ Soaring Eagle Nature Center ~ Call 563-357-0759 for details.

20^th & 21^st ~ Overnight on the Wapsi ~ 3 PM Saturday - 3 PM Sunday ~ Walnut Grove Park ~ We will meet at the park and shuttle vehicles to Sherman Park. When all have returned we'll shove off down river to a beach approximately 8 miles below. Along the way we will stop at the mouths of drainage ditches and creeks to do water sampling. Stopping at beaches, we'll turn the rock hounds loose in search of fossils and collectable minerals. Individuals provide their own necessaries (sun screen, water, food, camp gear, bug repellent, etc.) and must sign a waiver and trip agreement (promise to wear PFD and stay with the group). Once we reach camp there will be time for individual pursuits (fishing, swimming, writing, etc.) and we'll end our day with a communal campfire (food, drink, music, stories, etc.). We will be back on the water Sunday by 10 AM and finish at Sherman Park before the heat of the day. Call to register / reserve a canoe at 563-847-7202.

20^th ~ Nature Center Open ~ 1-4 PM ~ Eden Valley

25^th ~ Sunset Cruise, Blue Heron ~ 6 PM ~Rock Creek ~

Call 563-259-1876 reservations; $6/adult & $4/child under 16.

27^th & 28^th ~ Escape from Mars-Return to Venus ~ 10 AM (Sat)-Noon (Sun) ~ Rock Creek ~ This is a weekend get-a-way for women only! Bring your sunscreen because we are going to be on the water all day. While spending the day on the Blue Heron Pontoon we will fish, find mussels, barbeque and tour the mighty Mississippi. Plan on spending the night on a sandy beach. All activities will be weather dependent and will change accordingly. Cost is $15 per woman to include all meals. Minimum 15 participants and must be 12 years or older to participate. To pre-register call 563-847-7202.

27^th ~ Nature Center Open ~ 1-4 PM ~ Eden Valley

30^th ~ Observatory Open House ~ Dusk ~ Sherman Park ~ Join the Quad Cities Astronomical Society at Sherman Park's north end to explore the night sky. Pisces, Andromeda and the Pleiades will be visible. If cloudy or raining, there will be slide shows and talks in the observatory.

October

2^nd ~ Fall Color Eco Cruise ~ 5 PM ~ Rock Creek

Marina & Campground ~ Call 563-259-1876 to reserve a spot. Cost is $6/adult and $4/child under 16.

4^th ~ Nature Center Open ~ 1-4 PM ~ Eden Valley

4^th ~ Clinton County Chapter of Pheasants Forever Banquet ~ 5 PM ~ Millennium Ballroom ~ Pheasants Forever's Clinton County Chapter is holding its annual fund-raiser at the Millennium Ballroom in Goose Lake, IA. The group provides funds to local landowners and agencies for the establishment of wildlife habitat. Cost is $45, which includes a one-year membership and dinner. Call Mark Roberts at 563-659-2422 for tickets.

9^th ~ Fall Color Eco Cruise ~ 5 PM ~ Rock Creek Marina & Campground ~ Call 563-259-1876 to reserve a spot. Cost is $6/adult and $4/child under 16.

11^th ~ Eden Valley Bluegrass Jam ~ 1-9 PM ~ Eden Valley Refuge ~ It will be a toe-tapping time as musicians from the surrounding areas gather to bring the bluegrass sound to listeners of all ages. The 26^th Annual Bluegrass Jam will be held at the Eden Valley Refuge campground along Bear Creek. This event is free and open to all. For more information, call Mary McAndrew at 563-343-7002.