Iowa Master Conservationist

The Master Conservationist Program is designed for citizens who would like to explore a broad range of conservation issues and topics. It is modeled after the Master Gardener Program, where participants meet for 32 hours of hands-on educational sessions and, in return, are expected to carry out at least 32 hours of volunteer activity.

Johnson and Iowa County Conservation Boards will be offering a Master Conservationist program beginning in September. The 12-week course will include sessions on soil, soil conservation practices and watershed management, prairie ecosystems and management, wetland ecosystems and management, woodland management, wildlife management and depredation issues, backyard habitats and non-game wildlife, sustainable agriculture and organic agriculture.

There will be 10 two-hour evening classes and 2 six-hour field trips scheduled. The classes will be broken into two sessions with 6 classes and 1 field day each. Part 1 is scheduled for September 11 to October 13 and part 2 is scheduled for January 15 to February 16. Completion of all 32 hours is required for Master Conservationist certification.

For more information about the program, please contact Kristen Goldsmith, JCCB naturalist, at 319-645-2315, conservation@co.johnson.ia.us;or Maria Koshmeder, ICCB naturalist, at 319-655-8466, iccbee@netins.net.