Dubuque County Conservation

05/13/2026

Please join us in congratulating Lisa Schroeder on receiving the Travel Dubuque Outstanding Front Line Staff Award!

If you’ve ever met Lisa, you know she’s a true gem. Her welcoming personality, friendly smile, and genuine passion for Dubuque make her an incredible ambassador for our community and for the Dubuque County Conservation Board.

Lisa helps fulfill our mission every day by connecting visitors and residents alike with the outdoors. Whether that’s sharing the best campsite at Mud Lake, pointing someone toward a strong fishing hole on the North Fork of the Maquoketa River, or helping families discover the perfect place to watch migrating birds.

But Lisa doesn’t stop there. As a lifelong Dubuquer, she proudly showcases all the things that make this area special from recommending a favorite local coffee shop to finding the perfect burger or pizza spot in town. She has a way of making everyone feel welcome and helping people experience the very best of Dubuque.

Lisa is truly one of the highlights of Dubuque County Conservation. Her consistency, positivity, and kindness keep us all going, and we couldn’t be more proud to see her recognized for the impact she makes every single day.

Congratulations, Lisa! This award is so well deserved!

05/12/2026

Exciting news from downtown Dubuque! The Peregrine Falcon pair nesting atop the Dubuque County Courthouse is back for another season!

We’ve had the same female return for multiple years, but this season she’s paired with a new male. The pair has been using the nesting box high above the city and recently welcomed three eggs.

Keep an eye on the live nest cam and follow along as the chicks hatch and grow over the coming weeks!

Watch the live falcon cam: https://www.youtube.com/live/RCxhxvQFXvE?si=2Z5o1hKR4tz5ylVx

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

05/11/2026

Out in the middle of the day?!
Don’t worry, this Striped skunk isn’t lost… it’s hungry.
In spring, skunks can often be seen digging small, cone-shaped holes in the grass while searching for white grubs, earthworms, and other larvae. If you’re seeing a lot of these little holes, it’s actually a sign there’s plenty of food below the surface.
They may be known as nocturnal, but daytime activity isn’t unusual especially when food is abundant or when moms are preparing for young.

05/09/2026

A 400+ million year old find… right here in Dubuque County
While exploring a local park, we came across these fossils embedded in limestone — Pentamerid brachiopods.
These ancient marine animals lived during the Silurian Period, when this part of Iowa was covered by a shallow sea.
They may look a bit like clams, but they’re actually quite different. Brachiopods have two shells (called valves), but their symmetry runs through each shell, not between them like clams. They were stationary filter feeders, using a specialized structure called a lophophore to capture food from the water.
Northeast Iowa’s unique geology is part of the Paleozoic Plateau that allows us to see these ancient layers exposed at the surface. That means a simple hike can turn into a exploring millions of years into the past.

05/06/2026

I spy with my little eye… something delicious hiding in plain sight

Can you spot the Morel mushroom?

These springtime favorites are masters of camouflage, blending right into the ground. Finding one often means slowing down, looking closely, and sometimes getting a little lucky.

If you’re out searching, remember to harvest responsibly:
+Use a mesh bag to carry them in so they disperse spores while walking
+Use a knife to cut the morel at ground level
+ Help ensure future patches by not overharvesting
+Use a field guide to make sure your harvesting a true morel.

05/05/2026

“I got bit by a lobster!”

Not quite… but close!

During a stream study at Swiss Valley Preserve along Catfish Creek, these 2nd graders from Cascade were hard at work searching for benthic macroinvertebrates. The small creatures that live on the stream bottom and help us understand water quality.

And yes… one of the highlights? Catching a Crayfish (also known as a crawdad).

They may look like tiny lobsters, but they don’t bite — they do pinch!

From turning over rocks to discovering what lives beneath, moments like these are what make creek exploration unforgettable. Catching a crayfish is still the ultimate Catfish Creek achievement!

05/02/2026

A tiny trail find

While out on the trails, our Land & Water Steward came across this small but cute little guy, the Dekay's brownsnake. These snakes stay small and are known for their calm, easygoing nature. You’ll often spot them slipping into the vegetation along trails as they search for their favorite foods: grubs, slugs, and other small critters.

They’re completely harmless to people and play an important role in keeping insect populations in balance.Next time you’re out hiking, keep an eye on the trail edges… you might just catch a glimpse of one of these tiny neighbors.

05/01/2026

Park Spotlight: New Wine Park
Looking for the perfect mix of recreation, nature, and relaxation?
New Wine Park is a great spot to explore, unwind, and stay awhile — especially if you're visiting the nearby

This park features:
+Wooded hiking trails
+Scenic river access
+Disc golf
+Wildflower viewing
+Picnic and day-use areas
+30+ reservable campsites

Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or need a place to stay during a tournament, this park offers a little bit of everything.
📍 Near Dyersville, IA
📞 Reserve campsites online
Stay tuned — we’ll be highlighting more Dubuque County parks soon. Which one should we feature next? 👇

04/28/2026

Our annual Woodcock Walk at Whitewater Canyon left us with an up close and personal experience with this mysterious bird. Participants who waited out the cold of the night were able to hear the distinctive "peent" of the Woodcock and watch its flight display used to attract a mate, commonly known as a "sky dance". They will continue these flight displays at dawn & dusk until May, along prairie/forest edges.

04/26/2026

Earth Week in Action!
After 6” of rain and 60 mph storms swept through Dubuque County parks, we had a lot of cleanup ahead of us… and our community showed up in a big way.

In just one week, more than 150 volunteers gave over 300 hours of their time to help care for our parks and natural areas. The equivalent of nearly $9,000 in volunteer support.

From trail clearing and park cleanups to prairie prep, tree planting, and habitat work, these groups made a real difference:
+ Nature Center Volunteers
+ Loras College prairie remnants crew
+ Hempstead Park cleanup volunteers
+ Cascade High School service groups at Fillmore Fairways & Locher Lake Recreation Area
+ Mowing to Monarchs site prep at local schools
+ Tree planting & clean up at Swiss Valley with Dubuque Senior High School
+ Dubuque Days of Caring volunteers across multiple parks and trails
+ Bluebird house monitors
+ Genuine Landscape & Design and Boy Scouts troops leading a trash clean up at tree planting at Bankston Park
…and many more

This is what community looks like.

Your time, energy, and dedication help keep Dubuque County parks beautiful, accessible, and thriving for everyone. We couldn’t do this work without you.
Thank you.