Starr's Cave Nature Center hosts stewardship day and cooking program

Volunteers will fan out across Starr’s Cave Nature Center on November 14 with trash bags, work gloves, and loppers in hand, joining a free Land Stewardship Day aimed at picking up litter, clearing trails, and pulling invasive species from the park’s natural areas. Des Moines County Conservation reported that anyone willing to complete a waiver on arrival can spend the day getting a little dirty to keep the cave park looking its best.

The stewardship day anchors a busy month for the county conservation department, which also has a hands-on outdoor cooking program set for November 17 and the annual Ugly Sweater 5K Fun Run on December 19, both at Starr’s Cave. The same November 4 update that announced those events confirmed that several campgrounds have now closed for the season, a shift that changes how visitors will use the parks through the winter months.

October’s 800-Participant Halloween Bash Set a High Bar

The county’s conservation calendar rolled into November on the momentum of a packed October. Big Holloween drew approximately 800 participants, making it possibly the biggest celebration yet at the campground, which filled with trick-or-treaters, costumes, and Halloween fun. The Ladies Adventure Group opened the month with a Wellness Weekend at Big Hollow, packing the stay with camping, art projects, a range day, hatchet throwing, and meals cooked over the fire.

Starr's Cave Nature Center hosts stewardship day and cooking program

Education programming stayed just as busy. Starr’s Cave hosted the Explore Bowhunting course with the Flint River Archery Club, and the course filled to capacity, giving young participants a chance to learn and practice bowhunting skills. Twelve school field trips kept the Environmental Education staff moving through the parks all month, leading students through the natural world. On October 17, the Ladies Adventure Group traded brooms for paddles during its Fall Color Paddle on Big Hollow Lake, and a Fall Color Hike at Starr’s Cave caught the season at its peak. On October 30, staffers Marcus and Shania represented the department at the Area Educator Expo, networking with area teachers and sharing classroom resources.

Behind the scenes, crews continued improvements along the Flint River Trail, handled campground and facility maintenance, prepared food plots, and began winterizing equipment. Staff also completed refresher training for fall prescribed burns and partnered with local fire department personnel for rappel and cliff-rescue training at Starr’s Cave, alongside cleanup work along the cliffs. New kayaks, funded by a grant from the Optimist Club and revenue from boat rentals, joined the fleet and will expand on-the-water opportunities for visitors.

Three November Programs Invite the Public Outside

Land Stewardship Day on November 14 is free and open to anyone who wants to lend a hand, with projects spanning trash pickup, trail clearing, and invasive species removal. The outdoor cooking session on November 17 costs $15 per person and has limited space; participants will make pie iron pizzas over the fire and bake an apple crisp in a Dutch oven around the campfire. The Ugly Sweater 5K Fun Run on December 19 asks runners and walkers to wear their most outrageous holiday sweater through Starr’s Cave Park, with pre-registration at $20 per person and day-of registration at $25.

Naturalists Gather in the County, and the Office Takes Thanksgiving Off

Des Moines County Conservation is also hosting the Iowa Association of Naturalists Fall Conference, bringing naturalists and environmental educators from across Iowa together for several days of learning, networking, and idea-sharing. Naturalist Shania has been organizing the event, which connects educators who share a passion for linking people with the outdoors. One administrative note for visitors: Starr’s Cave Nature Center will be closed November 26–27 for the Thanksgiving holiday, while the county parks themselves stay open throughout the Thanksgiving weekend.

What stands out across the whole update is how the county is using late autumn to both open its doors and manage expectations: free volunteer work on November 14, paid programs later in the month, and seasonal closures of campgrounds and facilities. The next dated event on the calendar is Land Stewardship Day at Starr’s Cave on November 14.