Iowa Project Aware Education Programs - July 14

Join Project A.W.A.R.E. to help clean up a river for a day, the whole week, or anywhere in between. Paddle up to 20 miles a day, loading trash into your canoe as you paddle. After a long day of cleaning the river, volunteers gather in camp to enjoy educational programs that broaden watershed awareness and strengthen community understanding. There also will be interactive activities where participants can improve their outdoor skills and get hands-on experience with water quality testing and nature identification. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend in-camp programs requiring no registration. Daily registration fees for on-river cleanup include catered meals, canoes, and paddles. Tent camping areas provide each night of the journey. Cleanup will be from approximately 9AM-4PM. For more information or to register online for on-river cleanup, visit https://www.iowaprojectaware.org or facebook.com/iaprojectaware  

July 14, 2025
4:30 pm – Concurrent Informal Afternoon Activities (East Park, Mason City)

o   Turtle Time - Kari Jeffrey (Cerro Gordo County Conservation)

        What’s it like living life with a shell, scales, and a smile? Turtles are some amazing creatures who don’t always get the appreciation they deserve. Discover the different species that call Iowa home and how you are making a difference in their habitat

o   Whitewater Kayaking - Glenn Harman (Iowa DNR River Programs)

        An Introduction to Whitewater Paddling at either the 12 th street dam modification or the Averydale Access on the Winnebago.

7:30 pm – Concurrent Evening Sessions (East Park, Mason City)
o   Nature Myth Busters -  Heather Hucka (Cerro Gordo County Conservation)

        So much of what we know about our world is passed down by word of mouth, and sometimes that word is not true! Discover some real truths about our natural world and some real myths in this fun and upbeat program.

o   Paddling While Impaired – Dan Haug (Prairie Rivers of Iowa)

        Many of Iowa’s rivers are on the impaired waters list because of poor water quality. What does that mean for people who want to enjoy paddling and fishing, what protections does the Clean Water Act provide, and what can we do about it?