Our Blog

Ephemeral Favorites with Intriguing Stories

May 14, 2013

Calendar, Flowers, Hit the Trails, Nature Center, News

Jan waxes poetic about the beautiful wildflowers springing up around our grounds… The fairyland quality of the vernal woods draws many wildflower lovers. Oak-hickory woodland floors are sprinkled with subtle hues of ephemeral wildflowers dancing…

Plant Sale

May 3, 2013

Calendar, Eco-minded, Flowers, Nature Center, Other, Plant Sale

Dana wants you to know about our big Plant Sale! It goes on … rain, snow or shine! Celebrate the gardening season and support Iowa’s only privately-funded Nature Center by attending our annual Spring Plant…

Indian Creek Comes Alive

April 26, 2013

Critters, Eco-minded, Hit the Trails, Nature Center, News

Rich often walks along the creek during lunch and here’s what he’s seen recently….. Warm spring weather brings enormous change to aquatic life in Indian Creek. Much fishery research has been conducted on Iowa’s…

After the Rain

April 26, 2013

Critters, Eco-minded, Flowers, Hit the Trails, Nature Center, News

Jean was out inspecting the trails following our big rains last week and offered these observations… The recent rains, while much-needed, have brought down some trees across the trails. The sunshine and lack of wind…

Sounds of Spring

April 5, 2013

Critters, Eco-minded, Hit the Trails, Kids, Nature Center, News

Chris was the first to hear the chorus frogs singing this week, causing great excitement around here. Today, he caught some the show just off Wood Duck Way. The chorus has begun! Last Monday, I…

Membership—What do you “get”

March 29, 2013

Eco-minded, Fundraising, Hit the Trails, Nature Center, News, Other, Programs, Restoration

We’re wrapping up Membership Month at the Nature Center, but that by no means means we’re done accepting members! You can become a member of the Nature Center anytime of the year…we just concentrate on…

The Dynamic Creek

March 21, 2013

Eco-minded, Hit the Trails, Nature Center, News, Other, Restoration

We’ve actually had WATER in Indian Creek lately! A very pleasant change. Naturalist Jennifer Rupp has a bird’s-eye view from her office window and shares her observations with us…. I’m very lucky to have a…

How Do You Spell Labyrinth?

March 8, 2013

Eco-minded, Hit the Trails, Nature Center, News, Other, Restoration

Marion Patterson is a dedicated labyrinth walker. In fact, she has one in her front yard! She was also instrumental in installing the Prairie Labyrinth here at the Nature Center. Marion advocates for walking the…

You Otter Be In Pictures

March 7, 2013

Critters, Eco-minded, Hit the Trails, Nature Center, News, Other, Restoration

Jan was out with a preschool group tapping maple trees this morning and noticed the telltale sign of otters at play! The otters have been playing in the snow along Indian Creek! People often ask…

Circle of Life

February 26, 2013

Critters, Eco-minded, Nature Center, News, Other

We witness the “circle of life” every day at the Nature Center. Land Steward Jean Wiedenheft gives us a look at how it works. The full album of photos can be found on our Facebook…