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Conservation

Conservation to absorb deep cuts amid county’s budget woes

OTTER CREEK LAKE – Fallout from Tama County’s general fund shortfall has now cut deeper into the Conservation budget. During the Thursday, March 13, meeting of the Tama County Board of Conservation, director Curtis Behrens told board members that in addition to the $100,000 the Board of ...

Tama County Women, Land & Legacy to host mushroom foraging event in Traer

TRAER – Tama County Women, Land & Legacy (WLL) announces its 52nd event: “Into the Wild: Safe Mushroom Foraging.” The event will be held on Wednesday, March 26, at Traer Public Library’s Kupka Cultural Center, 531 Second Street. Registration and dessert will begin at 6:30 p.m. with ...

Mandatory Water Conservation Order reinstated

Editor’s note: The following notice was released last week by the Poweshiek Water Association. Since August 1, 2024, when we [Poweshiek Water Association] lifted the mandatory conservation order, we have kept you updated via our website, Facebook page, letters, and Quench magazine. As you ...

​​Keeping Your Private Well Water Safe

TOLEDO – Did you know that Iowa has a unique funding source for free or low-cost annual testing of private wells? Or that some water pollutants are odorless, tasteless and will not be removed by boiling water? If you’re curious about the answers to these questions, then take advantage of an ...

Tama SWCD promotes Stewardship Week 2025: ‘Home is Where the Habitat Is’

TAMA COUNTY – The Tama Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) is partnering with the National Association of Conservation Districts, Conservation Districts of Iowa and Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company in celebrating Stewardship Week from April 27 – May 4, 2025. Kindergarten ...

Tama SWCD hosting free upcoming soil health and water quality event

TOLEDO – Join Tama Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) for its upcoming event, “Roots to Rivers: Exploring the Connection Between Soil Health and Water Quality.” It will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at the Reinig Toledo Civic Center, 1007 S. Prospect Drive in Toledo, Iowa, 9 ...

Taxes are for the birds…and other vulnerable wildlife

IOWA – We know taxes aren't a lot of fun, but there is a small thing you can do to feel better about the process. Donating to the Fish/Wildlife Fund (also known as the Chickadee Checkoff), on line 21 of your Iowa state tax form, can help support thousands of vulnerable wildlife through ...

Learn about Chronic Wasting Disease at free, educational Tama County event

TOLEDO – Concerned about Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and its potential impact on local wildlife? Join us for an informative session to learn about this important topic. Event Details –When: February 22, 2025 –Time: 10 a.m. – Noon –Where: Tama County Extension Office (203 W ...

Tama County Conservation seeks new board member

OTTER CREEK – Tama County Conservation not only needs a new naturalist following last month’s termination of Raina Genaw, the department is now also on the hunt for a new board member. During the Wednesday, Jan. 8 regular meeting of the Tama County Board of Conservation held at Otter ...

Marking the new year on the right foot

UNION GROVE STATE PARK – Fierce western winds certainly did not make it easy to start 2025 on the right foot with a ‘First Day Hike’ at one of Iowa’s more than 40 participating state parks and forests but several groups of hikers bravely took on the challenge last Wednesday at Union ...