Madison County Parks & Conservation Center

Pond Management 101- Andy Jansen, DNR Fish Biologist
2026-03-25 18:00 - 19:00 UTC | Madison County Conservation Center, 2508 Pammel Park Trail, Winterset, IA, 50273, United States
DNR Fisheries Biologist Andy Jansen will provide a free seminar on basic pond management. Topics covered include:

Pond construction
Fish stocking
Fish management
Aquatic vegetation

Bring all of your pond questions!
When: March 25, 2026 at 6:00 pm
Where: Madison County Conservation Center
2508 Pammel Park Trail
Winterset, IA 50273

Madison CO Most Wanted: Break Out from the Big House Game Night
2026-03-31 18:00 - 20:00 | Madison County Conservation Center, 2508 Pammel Park Trail, Winterset, IA, 50273, United States
Join us for a game night w/ American Idol contestant Sam Moss!
March 31st, from 6-8PM at the Madison County Conservation Center.
A fun, family-friendly night of games, crafts, singalongs—and help from the Sheriff’s Office to break the “Most Wanted” animals out of jail!

Madison CO Most Wanted: Q&A with Mary Roach (virtual)
2026-04-07 18:00 - 19:00 | Madison County Conservation Center, 2508 Pammel Park Trail, Winterset, IA, 50273, United States
Join us for a virtual meet the author!
April 7th, 6-7PM, Madison County Conservation Center
Moderated virtual Q&A with Mary Roach, author of Fuzz

Tornado Ecology Hike
2026-04-25 09:00 - 10:30
TORNADO ECOLOGY
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN EXTREME WEATHER RESHAPES AN OLD-GROWTH FOREST
APRIL 25, 20269:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Forest Recovery
When an EF4 tornado tore through the old-growth forest at Pammel State Park, it dramatically changed the landscape overnight. This program examines ecological observations from before and after the storm, offering insight into forest resilience, succession, and the dynamic role disturbance plays in healthy ecosystems.
Dress for the weather, walking on trails and paved roads.
Meet at the Backbone Shelter, just north of the campground in Pammel Park.

America 250
2026-05-07 18:00 - 19:00 | Madison County Conservation Center, 2508 Pammel Park Trail, Winterset, IA, 50273, United States
Celebrate the USA’s 250th with hikes, wildlife demos, and exhibits exploring the link between independence and conservation.
Sponsored by NEA Big Read.
Open to the public.

LIVE WILD: Wildlife Rescue with Jenny Boonjakuakul, IA Bird Rehab
2026-05-15 18:00 - 19:00 | Madison County Conservation Center, 2508 Pammel Park Trail, Winterset, IA, 50273, United States
Join us for our LIVE WILD speaker series on April 14th from 6-7PM at the Conservation Center in Pammel Park. Jenny Boonjakuakul, Director of Iowa Bird Rehabilitation will share about her experience rehabilitating Iowa’s wildlife.
Free will donation to be shared equally between Madison County Foundation for Environmental Education and a conservation organization of the speaker’s choice.

LIVE WILD: Snake Ecology & Conservation in Madison CO with Paul Frese, Wildlife Diversity, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
2026-06-02 18:00 - 19:00 | Madison County Conservation Center, 2508 Pammel Park Trail, Winterset, IA, 50273, United States
Snake Ecology and Conservation in Madison County, Iowa with Paul Frese, Wildlife Diversity, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
“I’ll talk about snakes living in Madison County with an emphasis on Timber Rattlesnakes. The unique landscape and geology of Madison County provides habitat for a variety of snake species, including the Timber Rattlesnake. I’ll discuss snake natural history, ecology, conservation and distribution so residents can learn more about the fascinating creatures that share their world.”

Free and open to the public. Free Will Donation to be split equally between Madison County Foundation for Environmental Education and a conservation organization of the speaker’s choice.

Madison CO Most Wanted: Showcase
2026-06-06 18:30 - 19:30 | Madison County Conservation Center, 2508 Pammel Park Trail, Winterset, IA, 50273, United States
Join us on June 6 from 6:30-7:30 PM at the Madison County Conservation Center.
Join us for a community showcase!
An evening of selected writings, art, and performances from our community—plus the unveiling of the community-made Most Wanted Quilt.
Open to the public.

Schantz Brother's Foundation: Still Soaring After 25 Years
2026-06-13 08:00 - 11:00 | Madison County Conservation Center, 2508 Pammel Park Trail, Winterset, IA, 50273, United States
Join us for a reception and presentation by 2026 Schantz Brother’s Foundation Scholarship Recipient, Seth Breeding, highlighting the continuing legacy of birding passion inspired by the Schantz brothers. This will start at 10 AM at the Madison County Conservation Center in Pammel Park.
For those interested, there will also be an optional birding hike at Pammel State Park starting at 8 AM led by local birding enthusiast, Sharon Bauer. Meet at the Conservation Center.
Join us to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Schantz Brother’s Foundation – honoring Tom and Tim Schantz and their love of birding.
Free and open to the public.

LIVE WILD: Barn Owls with Jessie Lowry and Tanner Donovan
2026-07-07 18:00 - 19:00 | Madison County Conservation Center, 2508 Pammel Park Trail, Winterset, IA, 50273, United States
Join us the Madison County Conservation Center on July 7th from 6-7PM to learn about our endangered Barn Owls in Madison County!
Free will donation equally shared by Madison County Foundation for Environmental Education and a conservation organization of the speaker’s choice.

LIVE WILD- "Paws, Claws, Fins & Clicks: Training That’s Un-FUR-gettable!” Angela Tague, Tama County Conservation
2026-08-04 18:00 - 19:00 | Madison County Conservation Center, 2508 Pammel Park Trail, Winterset, IA, 50273, United States
Ready to make learning fun—for you and your animals? Come explore the world of clicker training, where tiny clicks lead to big results! You’ll see how positive reinforcement can build trust, teach new behaviors, and create a stronger bond with animals, all while having a hands-on, interactive experience you won’t forget. Click, Treat, Repeat!

(This session is for human attendees only)

Angela Tague is the current Naturalist for Tama County Conservation, where she creates engaging, hands-on experiences that connect people to nature. She brings a diverse background as a former middle school science teacher, search and rescue K9 handler, service dog trainer, and training coach for local zookeepers. Angela loves making science and conservation approachable and inspiring, helping people of all ages cultivate curiosity, build skills, and foster lifelong connections to the natural world.

Angela’s animal training experience began when she was a teenager with her sister’s out-of-control husky and has since spanned many species, including dogs, horses, cattle, a skunk, rabbits, ducks, rats, turtles, and even some fish—proving that everyone can learn to train their pets!

LIVE WILD: Lead Free Hunt and Fish, Adam Janke, ISU
2026-09-01 18:00 - 19:00 | Madison County Conservation Center, 2508 Pammel Park Trail, Winterset, IA, 50273, United States
Join us at the Madison County Conservation Center on Sept 1 from 6-7PM. Adam Janke of Iowa State University will teach us how to hunt and fish lead-free.
Free will donation to be shared equally between Madison County Foundation for Environmental Education and a conservation organization of the speaker’s choice.

LIVE WILD: Madison CO Hunt with Catherine Cummings, DNR
2026-10-06 18:00 - 19:00 | Madison County Conservation Center, 2508 Pammel Park Trail, Winterset, IA, 50273, United States
LIVE WILD: Madison County Hunt with Catherine Cummings, DNR Wildlife Depredation Biologist, Tuesday, Oct 6 at the Madison County Conservation Center.

From Herd to Harvest: What to Expect this Deer Season

Headed out to the deer stand this fall? Join Catherine Cummings with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for a hunter-focused talk on what to expect for the upcoming deer season, including local deer numbers, harvest trends, and what hunters should know about deer health and disease in Iowa. The presentation will conclude with an open Q&A, giving hunters a chance to ask questions, share observations from the field, and get answers before heading to the stand.

LIVE WILD: Traditional Basket Weaving, Amy Warnke
2026-11-03 18:00 - 19:00 | Madison County Conservation Center, 2508 Pammel Park Trail, Winterset, IA, 50273, United States
Join us at the Madison County Conservation Center on Oct 6 from 6-7PM. Amy Warnke of Madison County Conservation will teach us how to do traditional basket weaving.
Free will donation to be shared equally between Madison County Foundation for Environmental Education and a conservation organization of the speaker’s choice.

LIVE WILD: Chasing Auroras with Jess Lancial, West DSM Parks and Rec., Formal MCCB Naturalist
2026-12-01 18:00 - 19:00 | Madison County Conservation Center, 2508 Pammel Park Trail, Winterset, IA, 50273, United States
Did you know you can sometimes see the Northern Lights right here in Iowa? Over the past year, several geomagnetic storms have made Aurora viewing possible across the state. Join Naturalist Jess Lancial—from curious newcomer to dedicated Aurora chaser—as she shares some of the fascinating science basics behind the Northern Lights. Learn how to use free apps to track and predict Aurora activity, discover tips for capturing stunning photos with your camera or smartphone, and enjoy a collection of breathtaking Aurora images.

Free and Open to the Public. Free Will Donation to be equally shared between Madison County Foundation for Environmental Education and a conservation organization of the speaker’s choice.
