Partners Membership

Connecting people with nature and improving natural resources – making Story County a great place to live, work, and recreate.

Partners are people who want to see Story County Conservation (SCC) achieve its mission.

Partners are people -- people just like you who want to make a difference. When you become a Partner, you are joining a group that is willing to get involved to help complete goals which could not be accomplished without additional financial and volunteer support. Your tax dollars have built a terrific program and will continue to maintain it. But, in order to grow and complete new, larger projects, extra dollars are needed.

Fiscal year 2022 was a hit with our Partners numbers reaching the highest ever, at just over $34,000! We challenge you to make this happen again, so this year we have set the bar even higher. Our goal is $40,000. All monies received from memberships in FY23 will help purchase the Deppe property, consisting of 127 acres to the immediate south of McFarland Park. This property is truly a gem, and you can help protect it.

Be a part of It! Join Story County Conservation Partners today!    

Partners levels:
Red-tailed Hawk - $1,000 or more
Great Blue Heron - $275 to $999
Red Fox - $125 to $274 
Goldfinch - $70 to $124 
Otter (Family) - $35 to $69 
Great Horned Owl (Individual) $30      

Partners Corporations and Business Levels:
Monarch $250 to $999
Eagle - $1,000 or more

Each Partners membership receives invitations to the Partners meetings, a magnet chosen each year from the annual photo contest, and 10% off program registration fees and reservations paid online (some trips excluded). Red Fox membership level and above will be recognized on the wall in the conservation center.

Donations (Memorial and other)

The Friends of Conservation Trust Fund allows you to donate to SCC in a variety of ways. You may choose to donate a particular item on our wish list or give a gift of money for a larger project. Commemorate a special occasion or remember a loved one with a gift.

Direct gifts of land or conservation easements are also welcomed and both are a great way to protect your wild areas from future development.

At checkout, please describe in the comments box any specific requests for how the donation is to be used. If it is in memoriam, please name the individual. 

 Your gifts to the Friends of Conservation Trust Fund are tax-deductible under U.S.C. section 170(c)(1). We recommend that you confer with your tax preparer for information on tax-deductible donations.

Nature Connect

Story County Conservation's Service Assistance Program

Increasing access to youth and adult programs, recreation, camping, and more for Story County residents experiencing financial need.

Your donation provides people opportunities to connect with nature that they might not have otherwise. Any amount of support is welcome.  

$20 supports a weekend camping

$40 sponsors a child at overnight camp

$100 sponsors five children at day camp

Your donation will be made available to those whose service assistance eligibility has been verified by Mid-Iowa Community Action.

Help Pave the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail

Your donations will be used as matching funds in grant applications.

A 32-mile segment of the former Milwaukee Railroad from Slater to Melbourne forms this recreational trail corridor. The Heart of Iowa Nature Trail begins in Slater at the junction of the High Trestle Trail and continues on into Marshall County, with future connections to the Iowa River Trail & possibly the Chichaqua Valley Trail. Currently, 24 miles of the 32-mile rail corridor are developed. The Heart of Iowa Nature Trail master plan lays out a phased approach to paving the trail.

Phases 1 (Slater to Huxley) and 2 (Huxley to South Skunk River Scenic Bridge) have been paved and were largely funded by grants leveraged by donations and other local funds. 

Phase 1: Total paving cost $724,000, $500,000 secured in grants

Phase 2: Total paving cost $1,048,500, $730,000 secured in grants

We are currently seeking cost share for Phase 3 (South Skunk River Scenic Bridge to S-14) of the master plan.

Phase 3: Estimated total paving cost $1,102,000

Donations are an integral part of securing grants. This paving project depends on your support! Plans are also underway for future phases.