Conservation Station Trailers

Water Rocks! and Iowa Learning Farms join forces to bring their award-winning Conservation Station trailer fleet to public events—community events/festivals, fairs, and farmers markets—providing visual demonstrations and discussion to engage adults and youth in learning about Iowa’s land and water resources. Each trailer houses a unique combination of highly visual and interactive Iowa-centric demonstrations that delve into the impacts of land management choices, both urban and agricultural, on water quality and the connections between our state’s water, soil, and wildlife.

Scheduling/Availability

Interested in requesting the Conservation Station for 2026?
Our online request system for the season will open on March 2, 2026. Please read all of the details below carefully before submitting your request!

Start Date for Conservation Station Season:
June 1, 2026

Events happening in June - July:

  • We welcome requests for Monday - Saturday events
    (NOTE: The Conservation Station trailers are not available on Sundays, nor over the Independence Day holiday weekend)

  • We welcome requests for the following event categories: 
    community events/festivals, fairs, and farmers markets

  • We are unable to participate in summer schools, summer reading programs, and youth camps at this time

Events happening in August - September:

  • We welcome requests for Tuesday - Friday events
    (NOTE: The Conservation Station trailers are not available for Saturday – Sunday - Monday events in these months)

  • We welcome requests for the following event categories: 
    community events/festivals, fairs, and farmers markets

  • This online request system is exclusively for community events and does not include schools. Our separate lottery system for fall school visits will open in August 2026—stay tuned!

KEY DATES FOR 2026:

  • March 2: Conservation Station request system opens

  • March 20: Conservation Station request system closes

  • March 23: Iowa Learning Farms and Water Rocks! teams begin reviewing requests (all requests are evaluated together after the request system closes—NOT fulfilled on a first-come, first-serve basis). We often receive many more requests than we are able to fulfill—please be patient as we carefully evaluate all requests received!

  • April 15:  An Iowa Learning Farms/Water Rocks! team member will be in email communication with all event requesters

  • June 1: Start date for Conservation Station season

How to Request

Our online request system for the season will open on March 2, 2026.

 

The Conservation Station …

  • Provides visitors to community events/festivals, fairs, and farmers markets with a range of demonstrations, games, learning opportunities and hands-on activities

  • Visitors of all ages will explore and learn about the impacts of land management choices, both urban and agricultural, on water quality and the connections between our state’s water, soil, and wildlife

  • Trailer will be onsite and ‘open for visitors' for a 3-4 hour block of time

  • Site requirements: Flat open space of at least 35’ x 60’, clear driving path in and out

  • Cost: No cost (Many thanks to our partners for making this possible!)


What is the Conservation Station all about?

Each trailer houses a unique combination of highly visual and interactive Iowa-centric demonstrations that delve into the impacts of land management choices, both urban and agricultural, on water quality and the connections between our state’s water, soil, and wildlife.


Conservation Station in Action

Conservation Station – Marsh Madness

Conservation Station – Rainfall Simulator