February - April 2016
Prairie Horizons In this issue... Public Programs and Events Pages 2-4 Conservation Updates Pages 5-8 Map of SCC Areas Page 9 Calendar of Events Page 10 Partners Membership Page 11 Older, Wiser, Livelier Seniors Page 12
Nature Playscape Coming to McFarland Park with Support from SCCF Grant Jerry Keys (right) accepting the community grant from Jim Black (left).
Story County Conservation Environmental Education Coordinator Jerry Keys accepted a community grant for $25,000 from Jim Black, Story County Community Foundation advisory board member, during a ceremony in Ames last November.
Keys said the grant will be used to purchase elements for a natural playscape at McFarland Park. “Rather than installing a fabricated playground, a natural playscape will challenge children’s creativity with adventurous natural activities and objects,” Keys explained. “The Story County Conservation Discovery Nature Playscape at McFarland Park is intended to engage children in free play as they explore the natural world. Different play and 56461 180th Street learning areas will be created allowing users to climb, build, dig, gather, Ames, Iowa 50010 and explore nature.” Park visitors can expect to see construction on the Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. nature playscape in the coming months. 515-232-2516 conservation@storycountyiowa.gov The Story County Community Foundation received a total of 36 www.storycountyconservation.org applications for 2015 community grants. Story County Conservation was one of 19 applicants selected for the awards. Funding for the community grants is provided by the State of Iowa’s County Endowment Fund Program and local donors. Additional funding for the nature playscape is being provided by Story County Conservation Partners and the Frank Vance memorial.