SPORTS BRIEFS

Nature photo tips,

tricks offered

   Looking to learn some tips and tricks on nature photography? Head on over to Central Park on Saturday, June 9, to hear guest speaker Derith Vogt provide her tips and tricks on how to take good nature pics.

     Bring your own camera and you might be lucky enough to capture some fair or nature contest-worthy photos. All ages are encouraged to attend. This event will begin at the Central Park Nature Center at 1 p.m.

     If you have any further questions please contact Michele at 319-481-7987 or at naturalist@co.jones.ia.us.

Youth needed for

conservation crew

   The Jones County Conservation Department is still looking for a few more interested area youth to join our 2018 Jones County Youth Conservation Crew. Youth ages 12 - 19 are encouraged to participate.

     The Youth Conservation Crew will meet on June 7 and 28, July 26, and Aug. 9, at the Central Park Nature Center, from 8 a.m. to noon. and Sept. 12 from 4 to 6 p.m. Youth are welcome to participate on all five days or as many as their summer schedule will allow.

     Each day, participants will join in leadership activities, educational conservation and ecology opportunities, and hands-on service learning. Youth will be engaged in important conservation and park projects while working as a team, gaining self-esteem, and learning social responsibility and respect for the environment.

     Crew members will be provided work gloves, water and snacks, and a crew member t-shirt. Members should dress to get dirty and be prepared to do physical hands-on conservation work. Equipment needed for projects will be provided on site.

     Projects this year will include building, installing, and monitoring bluebird houses,  learning about purple martins and assisting with monitoring Central Parks martin colony, clearing invasive brush and small sapling trees from prairie areas at Central Park, assisting with planting milkweeds for monarch habitat, assistance with weeding and care of the Nature Centers native landscaping area and butterfly garden, monitoring Central Parks monarch caterpillar population and milkweed plantings, clearing vines and small saplings from park trails, and assisting with creating short informational video clips on Natural Resource topics.

     Youth participating will gain skills to last a lifetime, friendships, natural resource knowledge and abilities, and a stronger connection to the environment.  Hours of service may also be used for community service hours at local schools and listed on a resume.

     Please contact Michele at 319-481-7987 or naturalist@co.jones.ia.us for more information or to register as a crew member.