EVents
Saturday, September 6, Monarch Magic 10am - 1pm: This is a family friendly event for all ages to explore the magic of monarch butterflies. Participate in fun activities to learn more about the Monarch butterfly and other pollinators. This is a free event led by Prairie Rivers of Iowa with support from the Outdoor Alliance. Ada Hayden Heritage Park is at 5205 Grand Ave, Ames. Meet at the NE parking lot shelter to check-in. More information will be posted later this summer at Prairies Rivers of Iowa.
Fall Afternoon Walks on September 15, September 25, and October 3: Enjoy a series of three fall walks as we explore our local public parks. These walks are free and do not require registration. All walks begin at 2 and wrap up by 3:30. We end our walks sharing a light snack brought by the participants. The fall walks are led by Outdoor Alliance of Story County volunteers and are cosponsored by Story County Conservation. There is no registration or fee. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Monday September 15, 2pm - 3:30pm: Lichen Walk: Enjoy a fall afternoon walk with retired ISU biologist Jim Colbert as we explore the trails and woods looking for lichens. This walk will be at McFarland Park. Meet at the entrance to the conservation building. McFarland Park at 56461 180th St.
Tuesday, September 16, Monthly Doolittle Prairie Walk at 6 PM (Note start is earlier): See May 20 for details.
Thursday, September 25, 2pm-3:30:pm: Fall Foliage Walk: The fall afternoon walk is at Robinson Wildlife Area which is at 29490 632nd Ave., Nevada. Robinson has several creeks and the walk may include steps and slopes. A walking stick may be helpful.
Saturday, September 27th, 10am to 1 pm: EcoVision Ames Public Library is hosting a community engagement event focused on connecting with environmental groups in Iowa through interactive booths, demonstrations, food, and educational displays. More information is at Ames Library event’s page.
Thursday, October 2, 2pm-3:30pm: Fall Foliage Walk: The walk will be at East Peterson Park. East Peterson Park is at 55756 180th St., Ames. It does not get better than a fall afternoon walk among the trees, history and in good company.
Friday & Saturday, October 3-4 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 at Story County Conservation.
Saturday November 15, 1:00-4:00pm Herbal Remedies Workshop: Dive into the natural world of wellness of traditional herbal remedies. Registration is required with Story County Conservation.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2026
Winter Walks- Thursdays, 1:30-3:00pm in January: Enjoy a series of winter walks as we explore our local public parks. These walks are free and do not require registration. Unless otherwise notified, the walks will be held as long as it is safe and the roads are open. Bring a light snack to share with the group as the walk concludes if you would like. The winter hikes are co-sponsored with Story County Conservation and led by an Outdoor Alliance of Story County volunteer.
Winter Walk- Thursday, January 1, 2026, 1:30-3:00pm at Carr Pool: We will meet at 1610 Meadowlane Ave, Ames. This is the site where the former Carr Pool was located.
Winter Walk- Thursday, January 8, 2026, 1:30-3:00pm at Robison Wildlife Area:
Robison Wildlife Acres is at 29490 632nd Avenue, Maxwell IA 50161. We will begin our walk from the parking lot at 1:30. A walking stick or poles may be appropriate since the trail includes steps and slopes.
Winter Walk- Thursday, January 15, 2026, 1:30-3:00pm at East Peterson Park: The address is 55756 180th St. Ames. Park in the first lot you come to. All walks and departures are from the meeting area and begin at 1:30 PM.
Winter Walk- Thursday, January 22, 2026, 1:30-3:00pm at Ronald "Dick" Jordan Family Wildlife Area: We will meet in the parking area on the NE side of the South Skunk River bridge at 56091 265th Street, Ames.
Winter Walk- Thursday, January 29, 2026, 1:30-3:00pm at McFarland Park: We will meet at the west end of the parking lot at 56461 180th St., Ames.
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MONTHLY The Outdoor Alliance of Story County Board Meets: generally on the second Thursday of the month in the afternoon and are open to the public. If you are interested in attending, please contact [email protected].
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Events in Italics are partner events listed here as a community service.
EVENT UPDATES: Other events are posted here as the year unfolds and plans finalize. If you would like to receive information about upcoming events, send us an email at [email protected] with your contact information. And no, we won't be flooding your inbox with emails.
Fall Afternoon Walks on September 15, September 25, and October 3: Enjoy a series of three fall walks as we explore our local public parks. These walks are free and do not require registration. All walks begin at 2 and wrap up by 3:30. We end our walks sharing a light snack brought by the participants. The fall walks are led by Outdoor Alliance of Story County volunteers and are cosponsored by Story County Conservation. There is no registration or fee. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Monday September 15, 2pm - 3:30pm: Lichen Walk: Enjoy a fall afternoon walk with retired ISU biologist Jim Colbert as we explore the trails and woods looking for lichens. This walk will be at McFarland Park. Meet at the entrance to the conservation building. McFarland Park at 56461 180th St.
Tuesday, September 16, Monthly Doolittle Prairie Walk at 6 PM (Note start is earlier): See May 20 for details.
Thursday, September 25, 2pm-3:30:pm: Fall Foliage Walk: The fall afternoon walk is at Robinson Wildlife Area which is at 29490 632nd Ave., Nevada. Robinson has several creeks and the walk may include steps and slopes. A walking stick may be helpful.
Saturday, September 27th, 10am to 1 pm: EcoVision Ames Public Library is hosting a community engagement event focused on connecting with environmental groups in Iowa through interactive booths, demonstrations, food, and educational displays. More information is at Ames Library event’s page.
Thursday, October 2, 2pm-3:30pm: Fall Foliage Walk: The walk will be at East Peterson Park. East Peterson Park is at 55756 180th St., Ames. It does not get better than a fall afternoon walk among the trees, history and in good company.
Friday & Saturday, October 3-4 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 at Story County Conservation.
Saturday November 15, 1:00-4:00pm Herbal Remedies Workshop: Dive into the natural world of wellness of traditional herbal remedies. Registration is required with Story County Conservation.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2026
Winter Walks- Thursdays, 1:30-3:00pm in January: Enjoy a series of winter walks as we explore our local public parks. These walks are free and do not require registration. Unless otherwise notified, the walks will be held as long as it is safe and the roads are open. Bring a light snack to share with the group as the walk concludes if you would like. The winter hikes are co-sponsored with Story County Conservation and led by an Outdoor Alliance of Story County volunteer.
Winter Walk- Thursday, January 1, 2026, 1:30-3:00pm at Carr Pool: We will meet at 1610 Meadowlane Ave, Ames. This is the site where the former Carr Pool was located.
Winter Walk- Thursday, January 8, 2026, 1:30-3:00pm at Robison Wildlife Area:
Robison Wildlife Acres is at 29490 632nd Avenue, Maxwell IA 50161. We will begin our walk from the parking lot at 1:30. A walking stick or poles may be appropriate since the trail includes steps and slopes.
Winter Walk- Thursday, January 15, 2026, 1:30-3:00pm at East Peterson Park: The address is 55756 180th St. Ames. Park in the first lot you come to. All walks and departures are from the meeting area and begin at 1:30 PM.
Winter Walk- Thursday, January 22, 2026, 1:30-3:00pm at Ronald "Dick" Jordan Family Wildlife Area: We will meet in the parking area on the NE side of the South Skunk River bridge at 56091 265th Street, Ames.
Winter Walk- Thursday, January 29, 2026, 1:30-3:00pm at McFarland Park: We will meet at the west end of the parking lot at 56461 180th St., Ames.
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MONTHLY The Outdoor Alliance of Story County Board Meets: generally on the second Thursday of the month in the afternoon and are open to the public. If you are interested in attending, please contact [email protected].
---------
Events in Italics are partner events listed here as a community service.
EVENT UPDATES: Other events are posted here as the year unfolds and plans finalize. If you would like to receive information about upcoming events, send us an email at [email protected] with your contact information. And no, we won't be flooding your inbox with emails.
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Our Mission is enhancing outdoor recreation, education and conservation in Story County.
The Outdoor Alliance of Story County is a 501(c)3 non-profit. |
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