Fish, wildlife and prairie are coming together this week at the Mower County Fair’s east end as local groups continue a long tradition of showcasing nature and conservation.

Izaak Walton League’s Austin chapter will oversee the Game & Fish Building at the fair that will be open from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The building is surrounded by wildflowers and prairie grass and located near the Mower County Historical Society buildings. It features conservation-related displays and free handouts along with a variety of fish in tanks and wildlife on display outside.

Jay C. Hormel Nature Center will offer impromptu presentations from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; a different topic will be featured each evening, including bees and monarch butterflies.

Austin Ikes members also will give guided prairie tours around the building at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to Friday to show wildflowers and rain gardens.

On Friday, the Cedar River Longbeards – National Wild Turkey Federation will host a youth wild turkey calling contest at 6:30 p.m. at the Game & Fish Building.

Those interested should meet at 6 p.m. at the building.

On Wednesday, Mower Soil & Water Conservation District and Cedar River Watershed District will run the Game & Fish Building all day while offering an interactive watershed demonstration table for all ages. SWCD staff will offer free nitrate testing for well water throughout the day. For testing, people should run cold, unfiltered water for several minutes to flush their water line and then run water into a ziplock bag or clean container. Only a small amount of water is needed for the test.

Nitrate testing by Mower SWCD is uncertified but staff also will have free water-testing kits available for those seeking to pay for a certified test.

Aaron Gamm, Mower SWCD’s buffer coordinator, will be at the building from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday to meet with farmers, agricultural landowners and others interesting in learning more about the state of Minnesota’s buffer law and how it pertains to their land.

Mower SWCD will have its usual display area within the Game & Fish Building with information on its 2017 conservation award winners, various projects and ongoing efforts of the Cedar River Watershed District. Free map brochures of the Cedar River State Water Trail will be available with other informational materials.