Clayton County Conservation

06/12/2026

This week's spotlight features one of our more shy residents, Thunder the Red Fox. He arrived at Osborne 8 months ago from Wild Thunder Rehabilitation and Sanctuary. Thunder and another sibling were found with their mother, who only had 3 legs. He loves digging and playing with toys in his enclosure, but only when no one is watching!

The most common species of fox, the red fox is found on 4 continents. Enjoying a diet of small game, eggs, fish, insects, grass, berries, fruits and even worms they are true omnivores. Red foxes typically birth their kits in the spring, inside underground dens. In captivity they can live up to 20 years, and their vocalizations include whines, barks, yips, coughs, growls, howls and a chattering sound called gekkering. Now you know what the fox says!

(Photo Taken by Iowa EDA Tourism Marketing Coordinator Jim Lee)

06/10/2026

Join Iowa Trapper right here at Osborne Nature Center-Clayton County Conservation for a great course July 11th..

06/05/2026

The Osborne Campground is officially over the hill... just kidding, it's only a year old! 🎉 The grass and trees are getting their party started and the gravel camping spots are ready to get this camper/RV party started! Where else can you camp in the and have a wolf, cougar, owl, and eagle karaoke party right at your picnic table? 🎤 Our native animal exhibit is basically next door, so you can hang out with the cool kids (aka Iowa creatures). And if that's not enough, how about a float down the Volga River or a round of disc golf around the fishing pond? This park is like the ultimate party animal (but, you know, family-friendly) 🎉. Come on down! Reservations can be made online in advance (recommended) or when you drive in.

05/29/2026

Meet Osborne Nature Center's oldest staff member, Ed the Box Turtle. Ed travels with our naturalists for educational visits across the county in schools, care centers, and libraries helping people of all ages learn about native reptiles. Due to his age (these turtles can live 25 years or longer) no one currently on staff is quite sure where Ed came from or when he arrived.

Box turtles are currently threatened in Iowa, requiring open and sandy habitats. If you happen to spot one in the wild be sure to observe from a distance. Although they can swim, these turtles live fully on land. Sporting bright yellow colors, the males also have red- or orange-colored eyes while females tend to have brown eyes. You can definitely tell Ed's eye color in his closeup!

(Photo Taken by Iowa EDA Tourism Marketing Coordinator Jim Lee)

05/28/2026

The Iowa DOT has notified the City of McGregor that the Bloody Run Bridge repair project in Marquette (near the casino) is now scheduled to begin June 15, 2026. The project is expected to take approximately four weeks to complete, weather permitting.

🚧 Traffic Update: Bloody Run Bridge Repair Project 🚧

The Iowa DOT has notified the City of McGregor that the Bloody Run Bridge repair project in Marquette (near the casino) is now scheduled to begin June 15, 2026. The project is expected to take approximately four weeks to complete, weather permitting.

During construction, the riverfront road between McGregor and Marquette will have limited access. Access along the riverfront route will be restricted to:
• Casino visitors
• Residents and visitors accessing “The Bench” neighborhood

All other traffic traveling between McGregor and Marquette will be detoured via Highway 18 and White Springs Hill.

We encourage residents, visitors, commuters, and businesses to plan accordingly. While temporary inconveniences are expected, these repairs are important to improving the long-term safety and reliability of the corridor.

Additional updates will be shared as they become available.

Questions? Please contact the City of McGregor at (563) 873-3795.

05/27/2026

In 2010, Iowans voted overwhelmingly to create the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund—committing to cleaner water, healthier soil, better wildlife habitat, and more outdoor opportunities for future generations. Yet years later, the Trust Fund remains unfunded.

That’s why we’re bringing people together across the state this summer. Join us at a grassroots meeting near you to learn more about the effort to Fund the Trust, connect with others, and be part of the work moving this forward.

Meetings are happening throughout Iowa, and meals will be provided. Take a look at the schedule below and RSVP for a location that works best for you. We’d love to see you there!

05/27/2026

Turtles are on the move right now, and they're STUBBORN. That's because they're out looking for a place to lay eggs (sometimes in gravel near the road, unfortunately). 🐢 🚧

Give them a hand during World Turtle Week (and beyond) without making them grumpier 👇

If you see a turtle trying to cross the road and it's safe for you to do so:
Pick up the turtle with both hands (with gloves if you have them) by the shell, and from behind. Do NOT pick up a turtle by its tail! (It can cause spinal damage.)

For snapping turtles, you may want to just encourage it across the road rather than picking it up. If you do pick it up, grab the snapper by its back legs with its head facing AWAY from your body. ***Trust us on the "away from your body" part.***

Always move the turtle in the direction it was already moving. Otherwise, it will just try to cross again after you leave. We said they're stubborn, remember? Do not take the turtle to a different location, and especially not home with you. They don't need to be rescued, just a crossing guard. 🐢🚸

If the turtle is sitting in gravel, leave it be, as it's likely nesting.

Wash your hands thoroughly after handling a turtle.

05/26/2026

We are having phone issues again. If you need to reach us call 245-1220

05/24/2026

To honor our heroes on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25th, the Osborne Welcome Center will be closed.

05/22/2026

The Turkey River Safari Begins! this weekend!

You can pick up your kits over the weekend at our nature centers!

⏰ Nature Center Hours ⏰
🌱 Clayton County Conservation's Osborne Welcome/Nature Center summer hours (April-October) are Monday-Saturday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM & Sunday 12:00-4:00 PM (Kits are also available at Motor Mill Historic Site 10:00 AM-5:00 PM each day)
🌱 Fayette County Conservation's Gilbertson Nature Center summer hours (Memorial Day-Labor Day) STARTING TOMORROW are Wednesday-Sunday 11:00 AM-4:00 PM (Also open May 25th 11 AM-4 PM!)

Kits are also available during regular hours at the Visit Fayette County office inside the West Union Together office in West Union and at the Clayton County Development Group office in Elkader! Call ahead for these locations to make sure they are open! 😉

Please consider registering to help us keep track of how many people are enjoying the program throughout the summer here: https://turkeyrivercorridor.com/turkey-river-safari/