Whiterock Conservancy at Coon Rapids invites the public to events each of the next three weekends.
A slow Sunday drive is slated for Sunday, Aug. 21. Participants should bring their John Deere Gator (or other similar ATV or utility vehicle) for a drive encircling all of Whiterock’s nearly 20 miles of double track backcountry trail.
Whiterock is usually closed to private motorized vehicles, but for this event Whiterock will open the land for a pilot vehicle guided tour of the property. Participants will meet at the Garst Farmhouse Pond, unloading their utility vehicles in town and proceeding to the pond from the trail head by the golf course club house. After gathering at the pond at 6 pm, participants will meander through prairie, savanna, forest, and pasture while enjoying breathtaking sunset views of the valley and surrounding land. The cost is $25 per vehicle which goes to help maintain Whiterock Conservancy’s double track trails. Registration can be done that day or online.
Those who prefer to walk are invited to join Elizabeth Owens for this guided nature walk on Saturday, Aug. 27, to explore the pollinators at Whiterock and where they live. No matter what’s in bloom, the butterflies, bees and other pollinators are a part of the complex ecosystems that keep the prairies and savannas alive at Whiterock. Walkers will meet at the River Campground (1314 Fig Ave.) at 9 am. Please RSVP to guestinfo@whiterockconservancy.org for planning and to provide contact information in the event weather requires the walk to be rescheduled.
The annual Star Party public viewing night is Friday, Sept. 2. After a short astronomy talk at 7:30 pm, astronomer participants in the star party welcome everyone to take a look through their various telescopes at all the dark Iowa skies have to offer. If the weather is clear, visitors will have the chance to see numerous different galaxies, nebulas and stars millions of light years away, as well as some of the planets in our cosmic back yard, the solar system. All ages are welcome, and appropriate attire for the weather and a blanket are recommended. The event will be held at the Star Field, 1523 140th St, Coon Rapids.
