CAMANCHE, Iowa – After a hiatus due to COVID-19, the Clinton County Conservation Foundation’s annual prime rib dinner and fundraiser will be back Saturday, Nov. 5.
The annual event returns with a dinner, live auction and raffles in Haring Hall at the Rock Creek Eco Tourism Center. All proceeds from the foundation’s banquet support the environmental education programs and facilities of Clinton County Conservation Board.
Dave Stedwell, the foundation’s chairman, said the event will benefit many of the county’s conservation activities and facilities, but the foundation’s focus this year is on a remodeling project at the county’s Eden Valley Nature Center near Baldwin. The center, which is popular with school groups, plans to improve its exhibit space. He added that the project is only in the design phase. Previously, the foundation helped raise funds for an expansion of that building giving it an all-purpose room for indoor classes.
The conservation foundation, launched in 1998, is a nonprofit organization designed to support the conservation board’s activities, projects and other events. It is comprised of Clinton Conservation Board members, conservation staff and community leaders.
The fundraiser dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. with doors opening at 5 p.m. Seating is limited. Tickets are $50 each and can be purchased at Rock Creek Marina and Campground Store, and through Venmo:@ClintonCounty-ConservationFoun.
Through its fundraising efforts, the foundation also funds Hunter Safety Camps, created a Bus Scholarship Program to help schools pay for field trips and assists in ongoing maintenance of the Blue Heron Eco Cruise Boat, which the foundation purchased in 2002.
While Clinton County’s conservation facilities and staff fall under the conservation board’s responsibilities, Mr. Stedwell said the foundation aids the county in raising funds for major projects. Its shining jewel is the Mississippi River Eco Tourism Center at Rock Creek Marina & Campground, for which the foundation raised $2 million to build. He said funding came through donations, grants and fundraising.
For more information on the fundraiser, contact Mr. Stedwell, Clinton County Foundation chairman, at dstedwell@gmail.com.
