Story County Conservation

Let's try some trivia... What do all these have in common?
- Tedesco Environmental Learning Corridor - park development
- Heart of Iowa Nature Trail - enhancements
- Ames History Museum - renovations
- Ledges State Park - campground bathrooms
- Camelot Theater Foundation - restoration
- Iowa Young Birders - loaner backpacks

The answer: Partial funding came from Iowa's REAP (Resource Enhancement And Protection) program! REAP is committed to enhancing natural and cultural resources in our communities - and we're excited to offer you the opportunity to learn more about it and how you can get involved.

Join us next week to learn about REAP, how it's funds are used, share ideas about what our region needs, and learn about numerous local REAP projects completed in recent years. Your organization or project may be eligible to apply for funding!

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐏 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐲⁣
📅Thursday, June 18, 4-6 PM
📍Core Facility, ISU Research Park
🤝Hosted by Boone and Story County Conservations
🔗More info : https://www.storycountyiowa.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=3548&month=6&year=2026&day=18&calType=0

REAP Assembly for Boone & Story Counties Boone County Conservation Iowa Department of Natural Resources

CLOSED - The south dock at Hickory Grove Lake is closed, as it is currently underwater. We hope to have it re-opened tomorrow. Thank you for your patience as our crews make the rounds and assess and clear storm damage!

*Updated Thursday, June 11.

Your support of this private fundraiser Thumbs Fish Fry benefit for Story County Conservation will assist in purchasing additional walleye to be stocked at Hickory Grove Lake! They're fun to catch, tasty to eat and the memories last a lifetime.

We're grateful to be the recipient of fundraising efforts in memory of Brett Floden, in hopes of making walleye fishing more accessible to anglers within Story County.

📆Friday, June 12, 5 PM
📍 Thumbs bar - (2816 West St, Ames)

We hope to have additional details about this project available soon.

Since 1990, the Resource Enhancement And Protection Program - or REAP - has funded $7.7 mil. worth of projects RIGHT HERE in Story County alone.

Join Boone and Story County Conservations on June 18 for a public REAP Assembly to learn more about this program and share ideas for how it can continue to assist outdoor rec, conservation, education, historical preservation and more - right in our communities. Your voices and ideas matter!

Tedesco Environmental Learning Corridor, pictured, received significant REAP funding in 2018 to assist with trail development, educational elements, prairie and wetland restoration and more prior to park opening.

📆Thursday, June 18, 4-6 PM
📍Core Facility, ISU Research Park
🔗More info - https://www.storycountyiowa.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=3548&month=6&year=2026&day=18&calType=0

REAP Assembly for Boone & Story Counties

👋Welcome, Casey! We can't wait to work with you on local watershed projects!

Help us welcome Casey Greufe as our new Water Quality and Outreach Specialist! Casey conducted research on water quality and nutrient management at the University of Maryland, where he worked with farmers to reduce nutrient pollution in the Chesapeake Bay. He is passionate about building community through environmental stewardship and is especially excited to return to his home state to work on water quality issues that affect all Iowans.