Can you see it? 📷 This American Bittern was spotted at Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt this morning! Look for them in shallow freshwater marshes, typically toward the margins and among reeds and other vegetation. American Bitterns are rarely out in the open.
#LeadingYouOutdoors
6 days ago
58
The first sign of spring? You wouldn't know it by the weather! 📷 Goose Berry beginning to leaf out at Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt. 🌿
#LeadingYouOutdoors
6 days ago
61
Each week we will be revealing a new exhibit element that will be on display inside the Jester Park Nature Center on the nature center's Facebook page! 🌾 Here's a look at a fox den that will be well hidden within the prairie exhibit.
#GatewayToTheOutdoors
7 days ago
60
The best healthcare decision you can make is investing in prevention - and we agree that time in nature provides some of the greatest health benefits.
#nationalhealthcaredecisionsday
8 days ago
19
Prescribed spring burnings are currently happening within our parks and trails. Don't be alarmed if you see fire! You will most likely see PCC Natural Resource crews near it. 🔥
#LeadingYouOutdoors
11 days ago
0
83
Cold air, dark night, warm fire, and bright stars. ☄⛺🔥 We're ready for camping season! How about you? | Thanks for capturing this blissful campfire moment! 📸
@kelsey_kremer #LeadingYouOutdoors
12 days ago
89
Is it safe to say that it's finally warming up? We were beginning to think snow was the new norm this spring! ❄🌳🌼 Time to get outside.📸
@sistabethasis #LeadingYouOutdoors
14 days ago
52
Did you know that the number one source of surface water pollution by volume in Iowa is soil erosion? 🏞 Soil erodes into nearby streams, rivers, and lakes, causing many problems. Row crop farming, planting crops too close to rivers and streams without the benefits of filterstrips, and allowing grazing livestock access to waterways are primary sources of soil erosion, but erosion isn't just limited to agriculture. Road construction and building sites in towns are often sources of heavy runoff as well.
#LeadingYouOutdoors
18 days ago
75
It’s the never ending winter....is anyone else craving spring?!?
19 days ago
35
Nature is such a wonderous thing. Take a look at this frozen sap coming out of a River Birch at Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt. 🌳
#LeadingYouOutdoors
20 days ago
67
Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt is home to a swamp white oak savanna which is a very rare ecosystem only found in a few places in Iowa. 📷 Frost on a Swamp White Oak [Quercus bicolor] ❄🌳
#LeadingYouOutdoors
27 days ago
86
Have you seen this darker male Mallard around Discovery Pond at Jester Park? His dark coloring is due to Melanism, a development of the dark-colored pigment melanin in the skin or its appendages - the opposite of albinism. Isn't he beautiful?!
#LeadingYouOutdoors
29 days ago
67
Today, we got to hang out with North Polk Middle School art classes as they drew pictures relating to conservation for the Jester Park Nature Center art sculpture. The sculpture [example pictured] will have scenes on each ring depicting wetlands, prairies, woodlands, and conservation all drawn by these middle schoolers! This sculpture will be displayed right at the entrance of the nature center. How cool?!
#GatewayToTheOutdoors
1 month ago
29
Happy Monday! Can you name these animal tracks? We will post the answer in the comments below later this afternoon! 🐾
#LeadingYouOutdoors
1 month ago
63
Although we are all itching to get out on the trails, a friendly reminder as your weekend begins from our friends at
@citatrails : Even with warmer temps being in the forecast, lows at night and into the mornings are still below freezing. This means we are currently in the freeze-thaw cycle — through which the ground rids itself of winter moisture — and trail conditions likely remain soft and wet. Interrupting them, such as mountain biking, can delay drying of the soil and ruin the quality of trails. This is especially true at Sycamore Trail. Practice LNT while exploring!
@leavenotracecenter
1 month ago
59
Simply amazing! Just look at all of the snow geese! 📸 by Adam Atkinson at Jester Park near the Mile Long Bridge. He said you could hear their wings flapping as they took flight.
#LeadingYouOutdoors
1 month ago
81
It was a frosty morning over at Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt! What PCC park(s) or trail(s) are you visiting over Spring Break?
#LeadingYouOutdoors
1 month ago
58
Before settlement, the rich woodlands of Iowa's past provided a unique habitat for animals such as black bear, elk, and wolves. 📸 This gorgeous photo by
@jloydphotography • Thank you for capturing moments like this in our parks!
#LeadingYouOutdoors
1 month ago
119
How do you feel about waking up to another snow covered day? It's safe to say we can relate to this guy! 📸 Walter Rollman
#LeadingYouOutdoors
2 months ago
76
Happy first day of March! Here's a little bit of green to help with that spring fever! 📷 Bryophytes (moss) on a Swamp White Oak at Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt.
#LeadingYouOutdoors
2 months ago
70
Lunch pit stop at Mines of Spain state park in Dubuque.
2 months ago
14
PCC Naturalist, Heidi, showing off the mammoth tusk! Can you imagine the size of a mammoth back then?!
#GatewayToTheOutdoors
2 months ago
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72
We just unboxed the replica of a mammoth tusk that will be on display at the Jester Park Nature Center! More photos to come!
#LeadingYouOutdoors
2 months ago
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48
The mass migration of snow geese and greater white fronted geese is moving through Iowa right now! Thousands of birds on Saylorville Lake today!
#leadingyououtdoors
2 months ago
0
81
Did you attend the Bald Eagle Watch this weekend? S.O.A.R. released a female juvenile red-tailed hawk at Jester Park during the program! Such a wonderful thing to experience!
#LeadingYouOutdoors
2 months ago
90
We had an awesome turnout for the antler shed hunt this past weeekend! Thanks to everyone who joined in! Were you there?
#LeadingYouOutdoors
2 months ago
50
Park user and photographer
@bryanconley captured this beautiful shot of our elk herd at Jester Park on a snow covered day. 🌨 We love seeing photos you take of our parks and trails, so don't forget to tag us!
#LeadingYouOutdoors
2 months ago
124
Golden snowdrift waves flow through riverside parkland.
2 months ago
145
Grab your someone special and get outside today! 💗 Happy Valentine's Day from everyone at PCC!
#LeadingYouOutdoors
2 months ago
48
Wondering if trails at Jester Park are groomed? They sure are! Don't let the cold stop you from going on a snowy adventure 🎿
#LeadingYouOutdoors
2 months ago
60
Check out these Pileated Woodpecker holes! How do we know this? Note how large and close to the ground they are. Pileated Woodpeckers are the largest woodpecker on the continent. They're nearly the size of a crow!
#LeadingYouOutdoors
2 months ago
110
Happy snowy Monday from Jester Park! 🌨
3 months ago
0
63
The elk herd at Jester Park grew just a few weeks ago! Here they are getting acquainted. Be on the lookout this spring, as we could be seeing new babies!
#LeadingYouOutdoors
3 months ago
99
