News & Announcements

Polk County Conservation and the Jester Park Nature Center are pleased to present, Beauty. This art exhibition highlights the work of Bill Allen. 

Bill’s art is inspired by moments of transient beauty and places where beauty is perhaps unexpected. This exhibit of Bill’s artwork is an eclectic mix of portraiture, natural subjects, and vignettes of everyday life. Bill is a local celebrity here at the Jester Park Nature Center. You may have taken one of many watercolor classes he has taught for us. More of Bill's work can be found on his website at www.wballenart.com

Beauty will be on display from May 1 - August 27 during Jester Park Nature Center hours. Hours can be found at jesterparknaturecenter.com. For additional information, please contact Missy Smith at 323-5317.

FREE to the public

The Jester Park Nature Center’s locally grown, raised, & created Fall Makers Market is a perfect opportunity for you to support local merchants in a beautiful park setting. Join us on Sunday, November 19, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Jester Park Nature Center in Granger to shop for gifts or goods just in time for the holiday season! While there, explore the nature center ...

Summer Music Series | 2023 Call for Musicians • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • OVERVIEW Polk County Conservation and the Jester Park Nature Center are now accepting submission for local musicians and bands to perform in our upcoming summer music series.  EVENT DATES ...

Polk County Conservation and the Jester Park Nature Center are pleased to present, From the Earth. This art exhibition highlights the work of Ryk Weiss and Pam Dennis.

Their career has been a balance of two paths- the making of individual artworks, and interaction with the public through teaching and collaborative works. The themes they pull from the natural world give the audience a familiar way to enjoy and understand their environment. They hope to evoke a higher awareness of the rich diversity of nature through the sculptural stories they tell celebrating the life of the Midwest.

From the Earth will be on display from January 11th to April 28th during Jester Park Nature Center hours. Hours can be found at jesterparknaturecenter.com. For additional information, please contact Missy Smith at 323-5317.

FREE to the public

The Jester Park Nature Center is now home to two new education ambassadors! Both raptors come to us from Saving Our Avian Resources (SOAR) in Dedham, Iowa.  Our adult female Great Horned Owl was found injured in Des Moines. She has a fractured humerus, near the elbow joint which prevents her from being fully flighted. Our adult female Peregrine Falcon was found injured in the S ...

Polk County Conservation and the Jester Park Nature Center are pleased to present, The Wildlife & Nature Art of Timothy Pross. This art exhibition highlights the work of Atlantic artist, Timothy Pross. Since childhood, Tim is happiest when he is actively engaged in the exploration of nature. His intent as an artist is to take those experience and feeling and strive to exp ...

Call for Artists The Galleries at Jester Park Nature Center is seeking applications for participating in our second annual Artists in Action: Plein Air event and exhibition on September 17 & 18, 2022. A jury will pick up to 10 artists to participate in the event. The accepted artists will exhibit their work completed during the Plein Air event on September 18 th . Artists’ ...

The Jester Park Outdoor Recreation & Wellness Center will be open for extended hours over Spring Break (March 14 - 18) from noon - 4 p.m. For pricing and more information, click here.

The Jester Park Nature Center’s locally grown, raised, & created Fall Makers Market is a perfect opportunity for you to support local merchants in a beautiful park setting. Join us on Sunday, November 20, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Jester Park Nature Center in Granger to shop for gifts or goods just in time for the holiday season! While there, explore the nature center ...

Polk County has consistently followed CDC recommendations related to masking and social distancing. Beginning on Monday, February 28 masks will   no longer   be required in Polk County Conservation buildings. Those facilities include:  Jester Park Nature Center Jester Park Outdoor Recreation & Wellness Center  Natural Resources Headquarters Note that a mask require ...