ABOUT POLK COUNTY CONSERVATION
Located in the state’s most populated county, Polk County Conservation manages 21+ parks, wildlife areas, and recreational trails. Polk County Conservation offers the public
year-round education and recreation programs, volunteer opportunities, and trips. Explore and learn about Iowa’s natural heritage at the Jester Park Nature Center, plan a family picnic, golf 18 holes on a championship course or miniature golf course, canoe or kayak down the river, reel in a trophy fish, ride horseback along Saylorville Lake, use public hunting areas, bike on multi-use trails, and more.
OUR CONTRIBUTION
The Great Outdoors Foundation facilitates robust private fundraising to supplement Polk County Conservation’s efforts each year. Our investments are funneled into three areas of influence that come directly from our mission statement. The below table provides a snapshot of the programs we support and the way in which they deliver our promise to our support base. We are constantly evaluating and strategizing where to invest the funds we have been entrusted with to ensure maximum impact and desired outcomes, right here in your backyard.
Conservation Credits
Conservation Youth Corps
Easter Lake North Shore Development
Environmental Education Programs
Friends of Easter Lake Park
Friends of Jester Park
Horse Inspired Wellness
Nature Pass Program
PCC Internship Program
School Bus Scholarships
Sleepy Hollow Sports Park
Stewards of Brown’s Woods
Water Quality Advocacy
Restore Natural Spaces
Environmental Conservation
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Foster Outdoor Recreation
Inclusion & Accessibility
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Build Passion for Nature
Health, Education & Wellness
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
OUR VALUE
With intentional partnerships and targeted investments, we continue to increase the funding we provide for conservation and outdoor recreation in Polk County. Because of our faithful donors and sponsors, we are able to grow our footprint and impact each year, consistently connecting people of all ages and backgrounds to nature.
