2022 EVents
SPECIAL NOTICE Due to the ongoing Covid 19 virus, most Outdoor Alliance’s public events are still currently limited. Please be respectful of special needs even as more of the public is vaccinated. Public health officials advise social distancing of at least six feet and wearing masks if social distancing is not possible. For more information concerning active practices you can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19, please visit the Center for Disease Control’s website here. Thanking you in advance for your understanding.
2022 WINTER EVENTS
Taking a hike is a great way to start the new year, shake off cabin fever and get exercise. Yes, it can be cold, windy and sometimes wet or icy conditions should be expected. Layering with wicking clothes, wearing a wind and water resistant jacket, gloves and hat, ski poles or walking stick, cleats for your shoes or even snowshoes can be useful depending on conditions.
There are also two winter presentations: Story County’s Watershed; and, Land Protection in a Changing Environment. Both presentations are at the Ames Public Library and have a Zoom option. Both presentations are also co-sponsored by the Ames Public Library and Story County Conservation.
Winter Hikes All the hikes require registration. Unless otherwise notified; the hikes go on as long as long as the weather or other conditions are safe and the roads are open. We may however, wrap things up earlier than 3:30 PM under harsh conditions. Please leave your dog warm and at home for these winter hikes.
All hikes would normally end with a "picnic" of shared food, but, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, it would be best to bring your own treats or store bought individually packaged treats.
The winter hikes are co-sponsored with Story County Conservation and led by an Outdoor Alliance of Story County volunteer.
Thursday, January 6, 2022 Winter Hike Anderson Access The address is 56743 150th Street, Story City. Registration is required and limited. We will meet at the parking lot on the Northeast side of the river. All hikes and departures are from the meeting areas and begin at 1:30 PM.
Thursday, January 13, 2022 Winter Hike Peterson Park - West, Story County The address is 55310 180th Street, Ames, 50010. Registration is required and limited. We will meet at the west edge of the parking lot near the lake. All hikes and departures are from the meeting areas and begin at 1:30 PM.
Thursday, January 20, 2022 Winter Hike Heart of Iowa Trail, Cambridge. Registration is required and limited. We will meet where the trail crosses S Main Avenue, Cambridge, across from the grain bins. Park on the east side of the road only. All hikes and departures are from the meeting areas and begin at 1:30 PM.
Thursday, January 27, 2022 Winter Hike McFarland Park, 56461 180th St., Ames. Registration is required and limited. Park in the southwest area of the parking lot. All hikes and departures are from the meeting areas and begin at 1:30 PM.
Thursday, Jan 27, 2022 Presentation: Story County Watersheds, 7:00 pm at Ames Public Library and with a Zoom option.
Sara Carmichael, Watershed Coordinator for Story County, will be discussing the county’s water quality efforts. She will review practices like the volunteer water quality monitoring program, new edge of field nutrient program, and stream restoration efforts. She will also highlight how the county’s different partnerships including with city, state, and federal agencies will help Story County achieve goals identified in the Countywide Watershed Assessment.
This presentation is sponsored by the Ames Public Library, Outdoor Alliance of Story County, and Story County Conservation.
A Zoom link will be posted two weeks in advance of the program on the Library's Event Calendar at
https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/events/story-county-watersheds.
Wednesday, February 23, 2022 Presentation & Annual Meeting: Land Protection in a Changing Climate, 7:00 pm at Ames Public Library and with a Zoom option.
Joe McGovern is the President of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. is a nonprofit conservation organization protecting and restoring Iowa’s land, water and wildlife across the state. Joe will give an update on INHF’s work statewide. Joe is a graduate of Iowa State University in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology. He will explore the opportunities and challenges in permanently protecting large blocks of wildlife habitat in central Iowa.
This presentation is sponsored by the Ames Public Library, Outdoor Alliance of Story County, and Story County Conservation.
A Zoom link will be posted two weeks in advance of the program on the Library's Event Calendar at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/events/land-protection-changing-climate.
March 2022 Ames Reads Leopold Details are being worked out over the winter for this annual community celebration of Aldo Leopold’s contributions to American conservation. Reading are from Aldo Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac was first published in 1949, his and other writings too.
This event is sponsored by several groups including the Outdoor Alliance, Story County Conservation, Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park and many others.
Other Events Story County Conservation sponsors other events which are posted on its calendar.
2021 FALL EVENTS
Sunday September 12, 2021 - The Great Ames Adventure Race: The adventure race is a community paddle, bike and run event initiated by local runners, bikers and paddlers. More details and registration can be found at GAAR Adventure Race.
Friday, October 1, 2021 - Wild & Scenic Film Festival – A Celebration of Our Environment: The festival is hosted by our partner, Prairie Rivers of Iowa. The festival includes several documentary style films including the Iowa PBS documentary Iowa Land and Sky: Iowa Cities, Towns and Waterways. The film’s producer will also talk about his documentary.
The film festival will be held at the Ames City Auditorium beginning at 6:30 and ending at 10. Tickets are $20. Tickets, details about the films and other information are at Film Festival.
As an added bonus, five days of online streaming the festival is included for ticket holders.
Saturday, October 2, 2021 - Volunteer River and Stream Cleanup: Prairie Rivers of Iowa and the City of Ames has scheduled a river cleanup from 9 am to 1 pm and the Outdoor Alliance working to help them to be successful.
In the water, wet, dirty, tired and knowing you lent a hand, are some of what you can expect if you volunteer by clicking here to register. Registration is required to insure enough materials for all the volunteers and is limited 40; so, if this works for you, click the link above soon.
October 8 & 9, 2021 - Wild Women of the Woods: Story County Conservation’s Wild Women of the Woods program is designed for women to explore the outdoors, learn or improve skills, and network with women of similar interests. The program will follow COVID-19 best practices. Registration ends September 18. More details including registration are on Story County Conservation's Event Calendar on their website.
October 28, 2021 - Fall Foliage Hike & Cemetery Walk: The hike will begin at 1:30 followed by a short walk or drive to a local cemetery where history will be explored in a series of brief readings. We expect to wrap up our cemetery walk no later than 4:30. Participants will be limited to 15 and pre-registration is required. Details will be sent to those who registered early. To register your interest in the fall foliage hike and cemetery walk, email info@oasco.org with the following information: name, cell phone and how many adults and people under 18 are with you, and your mailing address.
Looking ahead: The winter hikes will begin again on Thursdays in January. Details about the hikes and other events will be sent to you in the next quarterly email update in early January.
EVENT UPDATES If you would like to receive information about upcoming events, send us an email at info@oasco.org with your contact information. And no, we won't be flooding your inbox with emails; currently, a quarterly update is sent and sometimes a few other events are too.. Your information will only be used for Outdoor Alliance of Story County and will never be given or sold to others.
All events are open to the public, though some are limited to those that have registered in advance.
The board generally schedules a meeting on the second Thursday of the month at the Ames Public Library for 5:15. Sometimes there is a last minute change, so let us know if you are interested in attending.
2022 WINTER EVENTS
Taking a hike is a great way to start the new year, shake off cabin fever and get exercise. Yes, it can be cold, windy and sometimes wet or icy conditions should be expected. Layering with wicking clothes, wearing a wind and water resistant jacket, gloves and hat, ski poles or walking stick, cleats for your shoes or even snowshoes can be useful depending on conditions.
There are also two winter presentations: Story County’s Watershed; and, Land Protection in a Changing Environment. Both presentations are at the Ames Public Library and have a Zoom option. Both presentations are also co-sponsored by the Ames Public Library and Story County Conservation.
Winter Hikes All the hikes require registration. Unless otherwise notified; the hikes go on as long as long as the weather or other conditions are safe and the roads are open. We may however, wrap things up earlier than 3:30 PM under harsh conditions. Please leave your dog warm and at home for these winter hikes.
All hikes would normally end with a "picnic" of shared food, but, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, it would be best to bring your own treats or store bought individually packaged treats.
The winter hikes are co-sponsored with Story County Conservation and led by an Outdoor Alliance of Story County volunteer.
Thursday, January 6, 2022 Winter Hike Anderson Access The address is 56743 150th Street, Story City. Registration is required and limited. We will meet at the parking lot on the Northeast side of the river. All hikes and departures are from the meeting areas and begin at 1:30 PM.
Thursday, January 13, 2022 Winter Hike Peterson Park - West, Story County The address is 55310 180th Street, Ames, 50010. Registration is required and limited. We will meet at the west edge of the parking lot near the lake. All hikes and departures are from the meeting areas and begin at 1:30 PM.
Thursday, January 20, 2022 Winter Hike Heart of Iowa Trail, Cambridge. Registration is required and limited. We will meet where the trail crosses S Main Avenue, Cambridge, across from the grain bins. Park on the east side of the road only. All hikes and departures are from the meeting areas and begin at 1:30 PM.
Thursday, January 27, 2022 Winter Hike McFarland Park, 56461 180th St., Ames. Registration is required and limited. Park in the southwest area of the parking lot. All hikes and departures are from the meeting areas and begin at 1:30 PM.
Thursday, Jan 27, 2022 Presentation: Story County Watersheds, 7:00 pm at Ames Public Library and with a Zoom option.
Sara Carmichael, Watershed Coordinator for Story County, will be discussing the county’s water quality efforts. She will review practices like the volunteer water quality monitoring program, new edge of field nutrient program, and stream restoration efforts. She will also highlight how the county’s different partnerships including with city, state, and federal agencies will help Story County achieve goals identified in the Countywide Watershed Assessment.
This presentation is sponsored by the Ames Public Library, Outdoor Alliance of Story County, and Story County Conservation.
A Zoom link will be posted two weeks in advance of the program on the Library's Event Calendar at
https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/events/story-county-watersheds.
Wednesday, February 23, 2022 Presentation & Annual Meeting: Land Protection in a Changing Climate, 7:00 pm at Ames Public Library and with a Zoom option.
Joe McGovern is the President of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. is a nonprofit conservation organization protecting and restoring Iowa’s land, water and wildlife across the state. Joe will give an update on INHF’s work statewide. Joe is a graduate of Iowa State University in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology. He will explore the opportunities and challenges in permanently protecting large blocks of wildlife habitat in central Iowa.
This presentation is sponsored by the Ames Public Library, Outdoor Alliance of Story County, and Story County Conservation.
A Zoom link will be posted two weeks in advance of the program on the Library's Event Calendar at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/events/land-protection-changing-climate.
March 2022 Ames Reads Leopold Details are being worked out over the winter for this annual community celebration of Aldo Leopold’s contributions to American conservation. Reading are from Aldo Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac was first published in 1949, his and other writings too.
This event is sponsored by several groups including the Outdoor Alliance, Story County Conservation, Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park and many others.
Other Events Story County Conservation sponsors other events which are posted on its calendar.
2021 FALL EVENTS
Sunday September 12, 2021 - The Great Ames Adventure Race: The adventure race is a community paddle, bike and run event initiated by local runners, bikers and paddlers. More details and registration can be found at GAAR Adventure Race.
Friday, October 1, 2021 - Wild & Scenic Film Festival – A Celebration of Our Environment: The festival is hosted by our partner, Prairie Rivers of Iowa. The festival includes several documentary style films including the Iowa PBS documentary Iowa Land and Sky: Iowa Cities, Towns and Waterways. The film’s producer will also talk about his documentary.
The film festival will be held at the Ames City Auditorium beginning at 6:30 and ending at 10. Tickets are $20. Tickets, details about the films and other information are at Film Festival.
As an added bonus, five days of online streaming the festival is included for ticket holders.
Saturday, October 2, 2021 - Volunteer River and Stream Cleanup: Prairie Rivers of Iowa and the City of Ames has scheduled a river cleanup from 9 am to 1 pm and the Outdoor Alliance working to help them to be successful.
In the water, wet, dirty, tired and knowing you lent a hand, are some of what you can expect if you volunteer by clicking here to register. Registration is required to insure enough materials for all the volunteers and is limited 40; so, if this works for you, click the link above soon.
October 8 & 9, 2021 - Wild Women of the Woods: Story County Conservation’s Wild Women of the Woods program is designed for women to explore the outdoors, learn or improve skills, and network with women of similar interests. The program will follow COVID-19 best practices. Registration ends September 18. More details including registration are on Story County Conservation's Event Calendar on their website.
October 28, 2021 - Fall Foliage Hike & Cemetery Walk: The hike will begin at 1:30 followed by a short walk or drive to a local cemetery where history will be explored in a series of brief readings. We expect to wrap up our cemetery walk no later than 4:30. Participants will be limited to 15 and pre-registration is required. Details will be sent to those who registered early. To register your interest in the fall foliage hike and cemetery walk, email info@oasco.org with the following information: name, cell phone and how many adults and people under 18 are with you, and your mailing address.
Looking ahead: The winter hikes will begin again on Thursdays in January. Details about the hikes and other events will be sent to you in the next quarterly email update in early January.
EVENT UPDATES If you would like to receive information about upcoming events, send us an email at info@oasco.org with your contact information. And no, we won't be flooding your inbox with emails; currently, a quarterly update is sent and sometimes a few other events are too.. Your information will only be used for Outdoor Alliance of Story County and will never be given or sold to others.
All events are open to the public, though some are limited to those that have registered in advance.
The board generally schedules a meeting on the second Thursday of the month at the Ames Public Library for 5:15. Sometimes there is a last minute change, so let us know if you are interested in attending.
