Giving Thanks for the Great Outdoors

As 2016 comes to a close, we would like to take time to show our gratitude to each and every individual, family, corporation and partner who has contributed to the success of the future Jester Park Nature Center. This project would not be possible without the unwavering support from each citizen who has contributed their time and resources.  From our family here at Polk County Conservation to yours - a big thank you to the following major donors who helped make this project a reality:

Corporations and Foundations 

Blank Children's Hospital - Discovery Kids Zone

Casey's General Stores - Outdoor Adventure Gateway

Chungath Family Foundation - Entryway Information Center

Dahl's Foundation - Interpretive Exhibits

EMC Insurance - Inspirational Viewing Area

Fred & Charlotte Hubbell Foundation

Gabus Family Foundation - Outdoor Streamscape
Great Outdoors Foundation 

Greater Des Moines Community Foundation - Observation Terrace

Growing Green Communities

Hubbell Realty & Jim and Ellen Hubbell Foundation - Prairie Reconstruction Outpost

Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation - Fire Pit Gathering Area

John Ruan Foundation Trust - Flagpole

Josephs Jewelry - Entrance Art Piece

Kemin Industries - STEM Classroom

MidAmerican Energy - Education Classroom

Phoenix Recycling

Prairie Meadows - Entrance Welcome Sign

Principal Financial Group - Building Sponsor

RDG Planning & Design

Scheels - Live Animal Display
Snyder & Associates 

The Graham Group

Wellmark Foudnation - Recreation/Wellness Center

Wells Fargo - Exploration Hall

West Bancorporation Foundation

Individuals & Families

Eric and Jennifer Barp

The Boddy-Davis Family

Richard and Joyce Chapman

Joseph and Sheryl Corfits, Jr.

Dr. Richard L. Deming

Dr. and Mrs. Ronald Eckoff

Allison and Jim Fleming

Cara and Kurt Heiden

Robert E. Jester

Tom and Wendy Levis

Jay and Tara Ramsey, M.D.

Mark and Janet Rosenbury

Fred and Emily Weitz

The LaMair Family

Jim and Patty Cownie

Federal, State, County and City

Land and Water Conservation Fund

Vision Iowa

Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP)

Polk County 

Cities of Ankeny, Des Moines, Granger, Grimes, Johnston, Polk City and West Des Moines

And thank you to the many contributors who have generously provided a donation of any size which brings us ever closer to bringing central Iowa's most exciting project to life. We are on the cusp of reaching our final funding goal. Help open this vital gateway to the outdoors and provide countless opportunities for citizens and visitors of central Iowa for generations to come with your gift today. Visit www.jesterparknaturecenter.com and help us break ground in 2017!

Our blog will take take a short hiatus in the coming months. We are working with a contractor to determine an official groundbreaking date. Once construction has begun, we will be back to keep our readers updated with the most recent timeline, details and photos throughout the entire construction process. In the interim, staff will continue to work internally on future exhibits, programming and the day-to-day operations of the Jester Park Nature Center in an effort to bring you a top of the line facility and destination location right here in Polk County. Check back in April as we bring the Jester Park Nature Center to life!