Black Hawk County Conservation

Holiday Light Enthusiasts! We NEED YOU!
The Hickory Hills Park Light Show is less than TWO months away! We are looking for organizations and businesses that would like to decorate a site for the 7th Annual event.

There is no charge for site displays! For more information call (319) 433-7275.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

Black Hawk County Conservation is hosting a community presentation by Dan Cohen, “Securing the Promise: Iowa’s Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund.”
• Wednesday, October 14
• Rotary Reserve Lodge, 5932 N. Union Road, Cedar Falls
• Doors open: 9:30 a.m. | Presentation: 10:00 a.m.

Cohen will discuss the history of Iowa’s Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund, also known as IWiLL, how the fund is structured, and what its potential funding could mean for communities, landowners, and outdoor recreation across Iowa.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Black Hawk County Conservation at (319) 433-7275.

10/1/26 Black Hawk Park is closed due to flooding.

Black Hawk County Recorder’s Office can help with several hunting and trapping licenses and fees, including:
• Hunting licenses
• Habitat fees
• Fur harvester licenses
• Lifetime hunting licenses for hunters age 65 and older
• Various special-season licenses
• Nonresident hunting licenses and habitat fees

Find all this information and more on the Black Hawk County website: https://blackhawkcounty.iowa.gov/376/Hunting-Trapping-Licenses or call the Recorder's Office at (319) 833-3012.

Be prepared, know the rules, and enjoy the outdoors!

Although the wet weather managed to scare off a few campers, we ended up with a beautiful afternoon for the Halloween Parade and Trick-or-Treating at McFarlane Park. Thanks to all who either dressed up, decorated their campsite or passed out candy. It was a fun time for all!

9/25/26 Update
Black Hawk Park is now fully open. Thank you, for your patience.

Siggelkow Park will remain closed through the weekend.

Due to forecasted river levels, Black Hawk Park will close at 3:00 p.m. today (9/22). Siggelkow Park is also closed. Watch this page for further updates.

Earlier this month, the Board of Supervisors recognized Conservation Director Mike Hendrickson for 35 years of dedicated public service.

Mike started his career with Black Hawk County Conservation as a Park Ranger and eventually became Director in 2017. Today, he oversees the maintenance and care of more than 9,000 acres of parks and green spaces throughout Black Hawk County, helping ensure these places remain welcoming and well cared for generations to come.

Mike takes great pride in the work of Conservation, and says it’s the people he has worked with over the past 35 years who have made his career especially meaningful.

Congratulations, Mike!

The Native Plant Sale is happening September 23 at Hartman Reserve Nature Center. See the post below for the link to preorder.

🌾 You can't buy happiness, but you can buy native plants... which is basically the same thing.

Stop by Hartman Reserve Nature Center on Wednesday, September 23rd to shop for native flowers, grasses, shrubs, trees, and soil amendments from Blooming Prairie Nursery.

If you're wanting specific plants, pre-ordering is the best way to ensure you get what you're looking for. Pre-orders will be available to pick up at the plant sale.
Find more info about the sale and pre-ordering here 👇
https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Black-Hawk/Park/Hartman-Reserve-Nature-Center/Events/29686/Fall-Native-Plant-Sale