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

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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

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.

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!!!

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.

SCHOLARSHIP

Keith Dirks Scholarship for Jones County Students!

Click document to download.

40th Scholarship Awarded

2024 marks 40 Keith Dirks Memorial scholarships awarded to Jones County High School Students. We are so grateful to be able to do this.

Our thanks to all the people who make this possible.

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 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 2024 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.

News 3

Big News

The 2024 Keith Dirks Memorial Scholarship Winners

Chloe Breitbach

Taylor DeLancey

River Farrington

Madelaine Fischer

Taylor Gassman

Ty Jensen

Carter Kuehl

Tina Lin

Grayson Weers

Nicole Wehring

Congratulations to you all!

Congratulations to Jordyn Reule on completing and winning the Spring 2024 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 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.."

News 4

The 2023 winners were:

Caden Ballou

Karley Schaefer

Chelsea Holland

Emily Meyer

Gavin Fuhrmeister

Marissa Clark

Emma Althoff

Nora Sperfslage

The 2022 winners were:
Claire Brown
Kala Dietiker
Kole Dietiker
Liltich Fisher
Sullivan Flynn
Grahm Humpold
Karle Jo Kramer
Drew Pate
Allison Paulsen
Tristan Weers
The 2021 winners were:
Lauren Bader
Keegan Freese
Nathan Keating
Ivan Lambertsen
Riley Manternach
Jensen Orr
Kacie Rickels
Alyssa Streets
The 2020 winners were:
Kacie Bayne
Paige Fahey
Nick Lehrman
Tim Schmadeke

CONGRATULATIONS!

Fish arriving at Central Park. Staff members moving it to its location in the catch pond next to the new Boat Ramp. This is a piece of educational art. Carry your things in and carry them out. Please! If you leave trash behind, it can end up in the fish and animals in and around the park.

It was a busy winter at Central park. The bowstring bridge restoration is finished!

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

Older Wiser Livlier OWLS programs are made possible through Jones, Jackson and Dubuque County Conservation

Pine Needle basket weaving class was well attended with eaautifule results.

Full Moon walks at Central Park and at White Water Canyon

The October moon walk At Central Park had the added bonus of being able to see the A3 Comet

The OWLS November moon hike at White Water Canyon