Events

Nature Adventures for Homeschoolers - Nature's Oddities

Nature can be weird, wild, and sometimes a little gross! Join us as we explore some of the strangest and most surprising facts from the natural world. From slimy creatures and stinky survival tactics to bizarre animal behaviors and yucky adaptations, participants will discover how these unusual traits help plants and animals survive in the wild. Get ready for a fun, hands-on program full of nature’s weirdest wonders!

Registration Fee: Free

Registration Deadline: November 10 by 4:00 p.m.

TO REGISTER FOR EVENTS: CALL 641-752-5490, EMAIL MCCB@MARSHALLCOUNTYIA.GOV,

OR TEXT ONLY 641-758-9777 BY THE DEADLINE OF THE EVENT

Young Artist Studio

Grades 3rd through 12th are invited to join local artists to learn and sharpen their art skills. Each session will focus on an element of art or type of media, a project to work on, and studio time to be creative and work on other projects. Participants can sign up for all or one session. Preregistration is required one week before studio time. To register call 641-752-5490, email mccb@marshallcountyia.gov, or text only 641-758-9777.

Brown Bag Bunch: Retracing The Dragoon Trail in Iowa & Environmental Transformation along the Des Moines River

Join historian and author Kevin Mason for an immersive journey along the route of the 1835 First U.S. Dragoon Expedition in Iowa. Drawing from his new book, Retracing the Dragoon Trail in Iowa, Mason explores how the state’s prairies and wetlands evolved into the farms, towns, and highways we know today. Blending environmental history, Indigenous perspectives, and the spirit of firsthand travel, this engaging presentation reveals how Iowa’s landscape still echoes with the stories of the past.

TO REGISTER FOR EVENTS: CALL 641-752-5490, EMAIL MCCB@MARSHALLCOUNTYIA.GOV,

OR TEXT ONLY 641-758-9777 BY THE DEADLINE OF THE EVENT

Brown Bag Bunch - Trees and Climate Change

Tuesday, December 8 from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Grimes Farm Conservation Center

2349 233rd Street, Marshalltown

Registration Fee: Free

Registration Deadline: December 4 by 4:0O p.m.

Once upon a time, the Earth’s climate changed at a glacial pace. Today, human activity is causing temperatures to rise faster than many trees can adapt. Join Melissa Burdick, Executive Director of the Brenton Arboretum, to learn how climate change is affecting tree populations around the world, what conservationists are doing to help, and how we can use trees to combat climate change in our own backyards!

TO REGISTER FOR EVENTS: CALL 641-752-5490, EMAIL MCCB@MARSHALLCOUNTYIA.GOV,

OR TEXT ONLY 641-758-9777 BY THE DEADLINE OF THE EVENT

Nature Adventures for Homeschoolers - Animal Voices

December

Animal Voices

Thursday, December 10 from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Grimes Farm Conservation Center

2349 233rd Street, Marshalltown

Registration Fee: Free

Registration Deadline: September 9 by 4:00 p.m.

How do animals communicate without using words? In this Nature Adventures Homeschool Program, kids will explore the many ways animals use sounds, calls, and other signals to communicate. From bird songs and frog calls to warning sounds and animal “conversations,” we’ll discover what animals are saying and why their voices are important. Through hands-on activities, games, and plenty of listening, participants will put their animal communication skills to the test.

TO REGISTER FOR EVENTS: CALL 641-752-5490, EMAIL MCCB@MARSHALLCOUNTYIA.GOV,

OR TEXT ONLY 641-758-9777 BY THE DEADLINE OF THE EVENT

Christmas Bird Count

For over 125 years, the Audubon Society has held Christmas Bird Counts across the United States. Data gathered from these counts is used to understand bird populations. During the Christmas Bird Count, groups are assigned an area within a 15-mile radius and record as many different bird species as possible. The species and numbers are then compiled, sent to the Audubon Society, and documented. The count must take place around Christmas, and groups must pick a specific 24-hour period to record birds. The date we have selected is December 17. We have multiple bird experts and have divided the quadrant into sections. There are several ways to participate in a birding day. 1. If you are an expert, you can help lead a group. 2. Even if you don’t know birds, you can join an expert and learn about birds along the way. 3. If you have bird feeders at your home, you can watch and record the birds that come to your feeders. You do not have to dedicate 24 hours. You can give as much time as you want. If you are interested in joining us for the bird count on December 17, please get in touch with Emma Bruck at 641-752-5490 or ebruck@marshallcountyia.gov by December 11 at 4:00 p.m. The map below shows the regions we will cover. This includes the towns of Marshalltown, Albion, Green Mountain, and Laurel.

Nature Adventures for Homeschoolers - Weather Wonders: Snow, Wind, and Everything in Between

Friday, January 15 from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Grimes Farm Conservation Center

2349 233rd Street, Marshalltown

Registration Fee: Free

Registration Deadline: January 19 by 4:00 p.m.

Join us for a winter weather adventure as we explore snow, wind, and the changing weather around us! If conditions allow, we’ll head outdoors for a snowshoeing adventure and experience winter weather firsthand. Through hands-on activities and exploration, we’ll discover the science behind winter weather and the many ways it shapes the world around us. Dress for the weather and come ready to explore!

TO REGISTER FOR EVENTS: CALL 641-752-5490, EMAIL MCCB@MARSHALLCOUNTYIA.GOV,

OR TEXT ONLY 641-758-9777 BY THE DEADLINE OF THE EVENT

Nature Adventures for Homeschoolers - How Animals Survive Winter?

How do animals survive when winter brings freezing temperatures, snow, and limited food? Kids will discover the amazing adaptations animals use to make it through the coldest months of the year. We’ll explore how feathers, thick fur, body fat, and other physical adaptations help animals stay warm, as well as different ways animals overwinter, including hibernation, migration, and remaining active throughout the season. Through hands-on activities and exploration, we’ll uncover the strategies that help animals survive and even thrive in the cold.

TO REGISTER FOR EVENTS: CALL 641-752-5490, EMAIL MCCB@MARSHALLCOUNTYIA.GOV,

OR TEXT ONLY 641-758-9777 BY FEBRUARY 19 AT 4:00 PM