News : JAKES Day presents area children with opportunities to learn in a fun setting

Faith Henrichs, Benton County Conservation Naturalist displays a skunk pelt at JAKES Day

...and a beaver

...bobcat

The Blue Creek Springtime Monarchs (Benton County chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation) held the annual JAKES Day on Saturday, at the Izaak Walton facility north of Vinton. Kids age 17 and under were taught about wildlife, courtesy of Benton County Conservation.

Following some inside education, the kids were invited to step outside and try their hand at trap shooting, archery and target practice with .22 rifles on the range.

The event is held free every year with the group serving lunch and providing door prizes

The day began with area DNR representative Pat Jorgensen who discussed Safety and Conservation. Pheasants Forever also shared with a crowd of around 25 children.

Faith Henrichs a Benton County Conservation Naturalist brought several pelts for the children to look at and to pet if they'd like to. She showed the pelts of two different kinds of skunks that are in Iowa, as well as the pelt of a possum, raccoon, beaver, bobcat and several others. She gave the children a great presentation on several species found in the area's wildlife. She discussed the traits of several of the animals and shared the things that children could be on the lookout for as they explored the outdoors.

JAKES is a program dedicated to informing, educating and involving youth in wildlife conservation and stewardship of natural resources. The program is held each summer as a way to get children involved in the outdoors in conservation and understanding the wildlife around them. 

If you or anyone you know, would be interested in becoming involved in the Blue Creek Springtime Monarchs, simply contact Randy Scheel at 319-573-4896. You can check out their Facebook page here.