Home | fojccnc

MY BUTTON

Jones County Conservation and Nature Center are located at Central Park near Center Junction Iowa.

1/34

About FOJCCNC

FOJCCNC is a 501(3)c Non-Profit corporation. The group formed to honor the life of Keith C. Dirks. As an avid outdoorsman and Jones County Supervisor, his contributions to Central Park and the Nature Center are many.

News 1

Endowment progress

During our planning phase we decided that it is important to fund a STEM scholarship, donate to the Central Park Restoration project, and become and Endowed through the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque.

As of June 1, 2017 we are fully endowed!!!

2024 is here and it is time to apply for the Keith Dirks Memorial Scholarship. You can find the Scholarship application form on this page to the right of this box. If you are going into any STEM field, please apply and let us help you on your journey furthering your education. "T" is for technical and we believe that "TRADES" are technical.

SCHOLARSHIP

Keith Dirks Scholarship for Jones County Students!

Click document to download.

Donate

We realize that some folks are cash rich and time poor, while others have time and limited budgets. If you are ever so fortunate, you have both! What ever your situation, we deeply appreciate what you can give. Maybe your strong suit is knowlege about about fishing and habitat, or butterflies, or reptiles. Perhaps you are good with children and can help with summer programs. If you like to cook, having snacks at the Nature Center programs is always appreciated. Of course, we would love it if you gave us money. This can be done at F&M Bank in Anamosa or any of their branches.

News 2

We are pleased to recieve the 2023 Theisens Community grant for $3,000. This will be used for new kayaks and gear for Central Park.

Update: All 2023 awards have been sent to your school.
Scholarship winners must submit proof of enrollment from the registrars office of the school they will be attending. When this is recieved, we will send your award money directly to the school.

Get Involved

Central Park is a great place to camp, fish, hike and learn about nature. The educational programs for our school children are memorable. JCC also offers various programs for everyone through out the year. Be a part of it!

THANKS to all the HORSE PEOPLE !

I cannot thank the equestrians in the many disciplines that I photograph enough. I take their photos at shows, they make a donation to the Nature Center. It is truly a win win. I get to do three things that I love; be around horses, cameras, and support our Nature Center and the Jones County Community through a variety of programs. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. The past couple of years have been challenging

and the horse community continues to come through!!

News 3

Jones County Community Foundation Grant Recieved for Wild for Walking Storywalk Trail Signs. October 14th, 2023 will be the Fall Festival.

Big News

The 2023 Keith Dirks Memorial Scholarship Winners

Caden Ballou

Karley Schaefer

Chelsea Holland

Emily Meyer

Gavin Fuhrmeister

Marissa Clark

Emma Althoff

Nora Sperfslage

Congratulations to you all!

Congratulations to Leanna Husmann and her nieces and nephews on completing and winning the Spring 2023 Jones County Wild for Reading StoryWalk® Challenge! Thanks to the Friends of Jones County Conservation and Nature Center and all participating partnering libraries and organizations who made this event possible. Keep your eyes peeled for our next fun StoryWalk® Challenge

Russ Harbaugh and his creation

News 4

News 2

Dedication and Ribbon Cutting September 14, 2023

The Wapsipinicon Trail

connects the Wapsipinicon State Park and Historic Register Hale Bridge to the City of Anamosa via a 10' wide paved trail.

"The communities excitement reflects the growing importance and value of recreational trails for both physical and mental health wellness. Phase 2 completes the second half mile of a 1 mile stretch of 10 foot wide concrete trail reaching from the intersection of East 3rd Street and Shaw Road all the way to the Historic Hale Bridge. From there trail users can cross the bridge over the Wapsipinicon River to enter Wapsipincion State Park. Temporary seeding of oats and wheat has been planted to stabilize the newly landscaped trail and help prevent erosion. In addition, erosion silt socks/wattles have been placed in targeted areas to slow runoff. A two foot buffer of turf grass will be planted along the edge of the trail and native prairie plantings will replace the wheat and oat mix with plantings occurring fall 2022.."