The Marion County Conservation Department is partnering with Earth Sweep to hold an Earth Day Celebration on Sunday, April 21st.

The event will feature multiple special guests and various activities for those in attendance. Marion County Naturalist Marla Mertz says that the special guests will include Iowa State University and Saving Our Avian Resources.

“In the gymnasium we’re going to have Iowa State University’s Insect Zoo come and join us, they’re going to bring about 100 different insects to get up close and personal with. We will have Bella the Red-tailed Hawk from Saving Our Avian Resources, Linette Bernard will be bringing her and talking about the raptors in Iowa and some of the characteristics that we look at the environment with our raptors.”

Other guests for the event include Blue Gate Farm, Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, the Regional Recycling Center in Knoxville, Norwex and more. In addition to seeing the Insect Zoo and Bella the Red-tailed Hawk, other activities at the event include a crafts and storytime with Frankie and a Plant Swap of healthy houseplants or seedlings to swap. 

The Earth Day Celebration will be held from 1-4 pm on Sunday, April 21st at the Marion County Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Building in Knoxville. Hear more about the event from Marla Mertz on today’s In Touch with South Central Iowa.