Story County Conservation

09/04/2026

🚧NOTICE: Due to current water quality conditions at Hickory Grove Park, swimming is NOT recommended this holiday weekend. Signs are posted at the beach with the most up-to-date information.

You can still cool off in the water this weekend! Check out West Peterson Park's beach, north of Ames, or view DNR's Beach Monitoring site to find another safe place to swim.

🔗https://programs.iowadnr.gov/aquia/Programs/Beaches

09/02/2026

UPDATE: As of Thursday, 9/3 Dakins Main Campground has 12 RV sites remaining as well as 10 or more tent sites at Hickory Grove Park!

We've received many phone calls so far this week regarding camping! While Breezy Bay is FULL, we do have some other availability:

Here's our update as of 3PM on Wednesday 9/2:
- Dakins Lake East - 2 RV sites open; 2 tent sites open
- Dakins Main - 16 RV sites
- Hickory Grove Park - Multiple tent sites
- Hickory Grove Park - 0 RV sites available

These sites are first come, first-served. Show up, scan QR code, and pay online. Our campground hosts are willing to assist as needed!

🔗Plan your stay: https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Story
☎️Questions? 515.232.2516

09/01/2026

This hummingbird is enjoying one of late summer’s best native nectar sources -jewelweed!

Those bright orange, trumpet-shaped flowers are hummingbird favorites—and their timing is perfect. As Iowa’s hummingbirds prepare for fall migration, they’re fueling up and nearly doubling their body weight for the journey. Most will pass through or leave Iowa by the end of September.

Jewelweed (also called touch-me-not) is a late-blooming gift for pollinators, thriving in moist, shady places like woodland edges, wetlands, and riverbanks. Want to help send hummingbirds off with a full tank? Keep those native flowers blooming and leave your hummingbird feeders up into fall. Feeders won’t prevent migration—day length and temperature help tell hummingbirds when it’s time to head south.

A fun bonus: Jewelweed also has a long history of being used to soothe the itch and irritation associated with poison ivy.

09/01/2026

PRESS RELEASE - We will again offer a controlled goose hunt at Hickory Grove Park this fall. This added pressure on local goose populations is in effort to reduce the amount of time geese use the lake as fall/winter refuge, since we know large goose populations contribute to the lake's bacterial levels.

Goose hunting will be open the following dates. No sign up required, open to general public. Please visit link below for specific time, included areas of the park and other information:
- Oct. 3 - 18, 2026
- Oct.24 - Dec. 15, 2026
- Dec. 19 - Jan. 16, 2027

As all hunting seasons near, we remind all park users, including hunters, to remain aware and have respect for others as many of our parks/natural areas are "multi-use."

Read full details: https://www.storycountyiowa.gov/m/NewsFlash/home/detail/4281

08/28/2026

Monarch migration is around the corner, and so is our Wheels + Wings Bike Ride! Dressed in their best monarch-inspired gear, riders will "migrate" on the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail from Slater to Collins, enjoying butterfly-themed fun, nectar stops, and more:
- Free Fabled Popcorn Co and bloody Marys from Flight Bar + Grille
- Live music, milkweed shots and monarch cocktails at Mom's Maxwell in Maxwell
- Color-changing butterfly limonada, mural photo op and butterfly art display at The Back Yard in Collins
- Vibrant Wheels + Wings branded belt bag
-Support increased access for biking and conservation in our community

📆Saturday, Sept. 19
🚴Slater to Collins & back - 42 mi. total
🔗Register here: https://WheelsAndWingsBikeRide.eventbrite.com

OASCO Bolton & Menk, Inc. Iowa Bicycle Coalition Heuss Printing The Back Yard

08/27/2026

🚴‍♀️Migrate with the monarchs! Join this fun ride on the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail on Sept. 19. Enjoy monarch-themed fun, festive drink specials, and likely spot migrating monarchs in native habitat along the trail corridor.

Event and registration info on our page or on Eventbrite.

Iowa Bicycle Coalition OASCO

08/27/2026

We don’t have a monarch tagging event planned this fall, but our friends in Boone County do! Join them Tuesday for tagging at Don Williams.

The monarchs are on the move, and it’s time to celebrate at Monarch Spectacular! Monarch Spectacular is a fun-filled monarch tagging event where you can get up close to these incredible butterflies, learn about their migration, and help support monarch research and conservation.
Join Boone County Conservation staff on September 1st at 4:30pm at Don Williams Recreation Area to be a part of the spectacular!