Woods cover the rolling hills of the sprawling Whiterock Conservancy. (Photo: Travel Iowa)
It’s hard to pinpoint the true beginning of the Whiterock Conservancy. After all, the rolling hills near Coon Rapids owe their beauty to glaciers that scraped across the land hundreds of thousands of years ago, give or take.
So let’s celebrate a more recent anniversary instead. Twenty years ago, the Garst family — Mary and her daughters, Rachael, Sarah, Liz, Jennifer and Kate — set aside 5,500 acres to create a nonprofit land trust for ecological restoration, sustainable agriculture, educational programs and outdoor recreation. Over those two decades, the place has become a destination for camping, hiking, kayaking, stargazing and more.
Plans are in the works for an anniversary celebration on Oct. 5, with a 5K color run, activities with nature and animals, an artisan showcase, an Iowa Stage Theatre Co. performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” an evening star party and more. Admission is free, and you can find all the details online.
