Iowa Master Conservationist Program to be held in Calhoun County

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Calhoun County office will offer the Iowa Master Conservationist Program beginning from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on March 12, according to a Feb. 6 news release.

The program will take place at the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Calhoun County office located at 325 Court Street in Rockwell City, providing participants with hands-on interaction with the diversity of the state’s natural resources.

The program teaches about Iowa’s natural ecosystems and the diversity of conservation challenges and opportunities that exist in the region. Graduates of the course learn to make informed choices for leading and educating others to improve conservation in Iowa.

The program consists of approximately 12 hours of online curriculum and six face-to-face meetings. The online modules will include lessons and resources by Iowa State University subject matter experts to be reviewed at the participants’ own pace at home.

Module topics include conservation history and science, understanding Iowa ecosystems, implementing conservation practices in human dominated landscapes and developing skills to help educate others about conservation practices.

Each face-to-face meeting will build on the online lessons and be held at locations around Calhoun County from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on March 12, March 19, March 26, April 2, April 9 and April 16.

Each face-to-face meeting will be led by local subject matter experts to demonstrate how the principles covered in the online curriculum play out locally. Staff professionals from the Calhoun County Conservation Board, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Natural Resource Conservation Service will provide local insights to subject matter.

Registration for the course is due at the time of registration. To register, please contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Calhoun County office at (712) 297-8611.

The deadline to register is March 6.