2022 EVents
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2022 FALL EVENTS The days are getting shorter and schools have started their fall semesters. Fall will follow but there still is a lot to do outside, including: the Great Ames Adventure Race; a children’s event with our partner, Prairie Rivers of Iowa; a dedication of the new ADA compliant dock at Ada Hayden Heritage Park; volunteer opportunity harvesting prairie seed; a fall foliage hike; and other events. Details for these events follow below the brief update on Ames Rummage Rampage.
UPDATE: Trash to Cash - Rummage Rampage Wrapup: Outdoor Alliance volunteers joined the City of Ames, Iowa State University and volunteers from 40 other organizations July 29 through August 6 at the Ames Annual Rummage Rampage. This community garage sale diverts usable items from the waste stream that people no longer want when renters move at the end of their leases. Rummage Rampage gives new life to these donated items and offers a low-cost way to furnish apartments and homes.
The Rummage Rampage also funds community organizations. All profits are distributed to the local non-profit groups based on the hours their volunteers helped unload, load, weigh, price and even deliver furniture. This year, a record setting $49,000 was raised and a record setting 144,000 pounds of waste was diverted. Thanks to everyone that made so much possible.
FALL EVENTS 2022
Adventure Race - Sunday September 11, 2022 7 AM - 11AM - The Great Ames Adventure Race is a community paddle, bike and run event initiated by local runners, bikers and paddlers at Ada Hayden Heritage Park, Ames, Iowa. More details and registration can be found at Ames Great Adventure Race.
Children’s Event - Saturday Sept 17, 2022 10 AM to 1 PM - Bees & Berries Bees and Berries is an exploration for children at the Berry Patch at 62785 280th Street, Nevada IA. This event is sponsored by our partner, Iowa Prairie Rivers with support from the Outdoor Alliance. Additional information is on their website.
Dedication - Wednesday Sept. 21, 2022 at 5:30 PM - Ada Hayden Heritage Park ADA Accessible Dock The dock is in and usable. The Outdoor Alliance partnered with local paddlers and others to raise the funds needed for the community match and make it possible for more people to have access to the lake. Thanks to the Friends of Ada Hayden, JAX, Skunk River Paddlers, the City of Ames and all the other groups who pulled together.
Women Outdoors - September 23 - 25, 2022 - 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 Outdoor Alliance is again supporting this annual program. More details including registration are on Story County Conservation's Event Calendar on their website.
Harvesting Prairie Seed - Tuesday, Sept 27, 2022 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM. Join other volunteers at the Hertz Family Woods & Nature Preserve to collect local prairie seeds. Collecting the seed is the first step that leads to prairie restorations on public lands. The Hertz Family Woods and Nature Preserve is at 25401 Club Road, Nevada, IA 50201.
This event is free and registration is not required. This event is led by Outdoor Alliance of Story County volunteers and cosponsored by Story County Conservation. Contact Story County Conservation for more information at info@oasco.org.
Ames EcoFair - October 1st from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. The EcoFair highlights the organizations and businesses that are working to make our community more sustainable and environmentally sound. The event is planned as an outdoor event in Parking lot M, located on the west side of City Hall which is at 515 Clark Ave. City Fleet and food trucks will be parked along 5th Street on the south side of city Hall. If it looks like rain, the backup plan is to have tables set up in the City Hall Gymnasium.
Bike Ride - Tuesday October 4, 2022, 6:00 - 7:30 PM An evening bike ride at West Peterson Park is a great way to appreciate the fall. Besides your bike and helmet, bring drinking water since none is available at the park. We will meet at West Peterson Park at the east end of the parking lot at 6:00 PM. West Peterson Park is at 55310 180th, St. Ames, IA, 50010.
The bike ride is free and registration is not required. This bike ride is led by Outdoor Alliance of Story County volunteers and is cosponsored by Story County Conservation. Contact Story County Conservation for more information info@oasco.org.
Hike - Tuesday October 11, 2022 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM - Fall Foliage Hike Enjoy a fall walk in the woods by the river at Soper’s Mill and enjoy the changing colors of the leaves and the season. Soper’s Mill address is 56364 170th Street, Ames, 50010. Turn into the park at the Soper’s Mill sign on the west side of the river and continue down the gravel lane until you get to the first parking area on your left. The walk is free and registration is not required.
Please leave your dog at home for this hike. This walk is led by an Outdoor Alliance of Story County volunteer and cosponsored by Story County Conservation. Contact Story County Conservation for more information info@oasco.org.
Story County Pheasants Forever Banquet - Saturday, October 15th 2022 Pheasants Forever has contributed tens of thousands of dollars for public land acquisitions in Story County that support all wildlife. The banquet is at Willow Brook Barn, 408 Progress Dr, Colo, IA. The doors open at 5:30 P.M. and dinner at 6:30 P.M. Banquet tickets are $50 for an individual and spouse/child $20. To purchase tickets, call Patrick at 515-229-5076 or Kevin at 515-203-0217 or REGISTER AND PAY ONLINE.
Water Quality Monitoring Snapshot - Tuesday, October, 18, 2022 Join citizen scientists for the fall snapshot. Together we will test water quality in Ioway Creek, the South Skunk River, and their tributaries to draw attention to challenges in the water and solutions on the land.
Volunteers New to Monitoring or Who Want a Refresher: 5 – 6:30 pm, Brookside Park 1325 6th St, Ames, IA 50010.
Experienced volunteers can pick up a kit at 1835 Coolidge Drive, Ames, Iowa and monitor their assigned site any time on October 18.
This event is free, but please register on Prairie Rivers of Iowa's website in advance so we can make site assignments and communicate if plans need to change due to weather or low water levels. Experienced volunteers can pick up a kit at 1835 Coolidge Drive and monitor their assigned site any time on October 18.
This event is sponsored by our partner, Iowa Prairie Rivers with support from the Outdoor Alliance and other groups. Contact Iowa Prairie River's water quality specialist Dan Haug if you have questions: dhaug@prrcd.org.
West Indian Creek Trash Cleanup - Saturday, October 22, 20 22 12 – 3 pm, Nevada, IA During the fall of 2021 and the spring of 2022 volunteers removed over 4,000 pounds of trash from Ioway Creek in Ames. This fall we focus our attention on West Indian Creek in Nevada. Organized by Prairie Rivers of Iowa in partnership with the City of Nevada, the Skunk River Paddlers, Story County Conservation, and the Outdoor Alliance of Story County.
Volunteers of all levels are welcome (inexperienced volunteers can be paired up with experienced ones). It’s a fun way to make a difference! Tired, dirty and wet can feel great. Volunteers should dress for the weather and wear closed toes shoes. Free lunch is provided. More details to come regarding specific locations, water level updates. etc.
Please register on Prarie Rivers of Iowa website if you plan to volunteer. Contact Iowa Prairie River's water quality specialist Dan Haug if you have questions: dhaug@prrcd.org.
OTHER EVENTS This website list is updated for select current events. Story County Conservation also sponsors other events not listed above that you might be interested in as well. The Outdoor Alliance partners with Prairie Rivers of Iowa and the Skunk River Paddlers. Links to these and other local, regional, statewide and national outdoor groups are on this website.
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 emails are sent too. Your information will be used by Outdoor Alliance of Story County and will never be sold to others.
BOARD MEETINGS The Outdoor Alliance 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 FALL EVENTS The days are getting shorter and schools have started their fall semesters. Fall will follow but there still is a lot to do outside, including: the Great Ames Adventure Race; a children’s event with our partner, Prairie Rivers of Iowa; a dedication of the new ADA compliant dock at Ada Hayden Heritage Park; volunteer opportunity harvesting prairie seed; a fall foliage hike; and other events. Details for these events follow below the brief update on Ames Rummage Rampage.
UPDATE: Trash to Cash - Rummage Rampage Wrapup: Outdoor Alliance volunteers joined the City of Ames, Iowa State University and volunteers from 40 other organizations July 29 through August 6 at the Ames Annual Rummage Rampage. This community garage sale diverts usable items from the waste stream that people no longer want when renters move at the end of their leases. Rummage Rampage gives new life to these donated items and offers a low-cost way to furnish apartments and homes.
The Rummage Rampage also funds community organizations. All profits are distributed to the local non-profit groups based on the hours their volunteers helped unload, load, weigh, price and even deliver furniture. This year, a record setting $49,000 was raised and a record setting 144,000 pounds of waste was diverted. Thanks to everyone that made so much possible.
FALL EVENTS 2022
Adventure Race - Sunday September 11, 2022 7 AM - 11AM - The Great Ames Adventure Race is a community paddle, bike and run event initiated by local runners, bikers and paddlers at Ada Hayden Heritage Park, Ames, Iowa. More details and registration can be found at Ames Great Adventure Race.
Children’s Event - Saturday Sept 17, 2022 10 AM to 1 PM - Bees & Berries Bees and Berries is an exploration for children at the Berry Patch at 62785 280th Street, Nevada IA. This event is sponsored by our partner, Iowa Prairie Rivers with support from the Outdoor Alliance. Additional information is on their website.
Dedication - Wednesday Sept. 21, 2022 at 5:30 PM - Ada Hayden Heritage Park ADA Accessible Dock The dock is in and usable. The Outdoor Alliance partnered with local paddlers and others to raise the funds needed for the community match and make it possible for more people to have access to the lake. Thanks to the Friends of Ada Hayden, JAX, Skunk River Paddlers, the City of Ames and all the other groups who pulled together.
Women Outdoors - September 23 - 25, 2022 - 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 Outdoor Alliance is again supporting this annual program. More details including registration are on Story County Conservation's Event Calendar on their website.
Harvesting Prairie Seed - Tuesday, Sept 27, 2022 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM. Join other volunteers at the Hertz Family Woods & Nature Preserve to collect local prairie seeds. Collecting the seed is the first step that leads to prairie restorations on public lands. The Hertz Family Woods and Nature Preserve is at 25401 Club Road, Nevada, IA 50201.
This event is free and registration is not required. This event is led by Outdoor Alliance of Story County volunteers and cosponsored by Story County Conservation. Contact Story County Conservation for more information at info@oasco.org.
Ames EcoFair - October 1st from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. The EcoFair highlights the organizations and businesses that are working to make our community more sustainable and environmentally sound. The event is planned as an outdoor event in Parking lot M, located on the west side of City Hall which is at 515 Clark Ave. City Fleet and food trucks will be parked along 5th Street on the south side of city Hall. If it looks like rain, the backup plan is to have tables set up in the City Hall Gymnasium.
Bike Ride - Tuesday October 4, 2022, 6:00 - 7:30 PM An evening bike ride at West Peterson Park is a great way to appreciate the fall. Besides your bike and helmet, bring drinking water since none is available at the park. We will meet at West Peterson Park at the east end of the parking lot at 6:00 PM. West Peterson Park is at 55310 180th, St. Ames, IA, 50010.
The bike ride is free and registration is not required. This bike ride is led by Outdoor Alliance of Story County volunteers and is cosponsored by Story County Conservation. Contact Story County Conservation for more information info@oasco.org.
Hike - Tuesday October 11, 2022 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM - Fall Foliage Hike Enjoy a fall walk in the woods by the river at Soper’s Mill and enjoy the changing colors of the leaves and the season. Soper’s Mill address is 56364 170th Street, Ames, 50010. Turn into the park at the Soper’s Mill sign on the west side of the river and continue down the gravel lane until you get to the first parking area on your left. The walk is free and registration is not required.
Please leave your dog at home for this hike. This walk is led by an Outdoor Alliance of Story County volunteer and cosponsored by Story County Conservation. Contact Story County Conservation for more information info@oasco.org.
Story County Pheasants Forever Banquet - Saturday, October 15th 2022 Pheasants Forever has contributed tens of thousands of dollars for public land acquisitions in Story County that support all wildlife. The banquet is at Willow Brook Barn, 408 Progress Dr, Colo, IA. The doors open at 5:30 P.M. and dinner at 6:30 P.M. Banquet tickets are $50 for an individual and spouse/child $20. To purchase tickets, call Patrick at 515-229-5076 or Kevin at 515-203-0217 or REGISTER AND PAY ONLINE.
Water Quality Monitoring Snapshot - Tuesday, October, 18, 2022 Join citizen scientists for the fall snapshot. Together we will test water quality in Ioway Creek, the South Skunk River, and their tributaries to draw attention to challenges in the water and solutions on the land.
Volunteers New to Monitoring or Who Want a Refresher: 5 – 6:30 pm, Brookside Park 1325 6th St, Ames, IA 50010.
Experienced volunteers can pick up a kit at 1835 Coolidge Drive, Ames, Iowa and monitor their assigned site any time on October 18.
This event is free, but please register on Prairie Rivers of Iowa's website in advance so we can make site assignments and communicate if plans need to change due to weather or low water levels. Experienced volunteers can pick up a kit at 1835 Coolidge Drive and monitor their assigned site any time on October 18.
This event is sponsored by our partner, Iowa Prairie Rivers with support from the Outdoor Alliance and other groups. Contact Iowa Prairie River's water quality specialist Dan Haug if you have questions: dhaug@prrcd.org.
West Indian Creek Trash Cleanup - Saturday, October 22, 20 22 12 – 3 pm, Nevada, IA During the fall of 2021 and the spring of 2022 volunteers removed over 4,000 pounds of trash from Ioway Creek in Ames. This fall we focus our attention on West Indian Creek in Nevada. Organized by Prairie Rivers of Iowa in partnership with the City of Nevada, the Skunk River Paddlers, Story County Conservation, and the Outdoor Alliance of Story County.
Volunteers of all levels are welcome (inexperienced volunteers can be paired up with experienced ones). It’s a fun way to make a difference! Tired, dirty and wet can feel great. Volunteers should dress for the weather and wear closed toes shoes. Free lunch is provided. More details to come regarding specific locations, water level updates. etc.
Please register on Prarie Rivers of Iowa website if you plan to volunteer. Contact Iowa Prairie River's water quality specialist Dan Haug if you have questions: dhaug@prrcd.org.
OTHER EVENTS This website list is updated for select current events. Story County Conservation also sponsors other events not listed above that you might be interested in as well. The Outdoor Alliance partners with Prairie Rivers of Iowa and the Skunk River Paddlers. Links to these and other local, regional, statewide and national outdoor groups are on this website.
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 emails are sent too. Your information will be used by Outdoor Alliance of Story County and will never be sold to others.
BOARD MEETINGS The Outdoor Alliance 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.
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Enhancing outdoor recreation, education and conservation in Story County. Outdoor Alliance of Story County P.O. Box 1863 Ames, IA 50010 Info@oasco.org |
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