Our Blog

Prairie Labyrinth

May 30, 2012

The Prairie Labyrinth at Indian Creek Nature Center is inviting and invigorating. Forbs and grasses seem to thrive even in the springtime heat and drought that Eastern Iowa landscape has endured. Rattlesnake Master have…

Salute to the Guild!

April 30, 2012

Calendar, Fundraising, Nature Center, Plant Sale

We have a wonderful group of volunteers who put together two of our largest fundraisers of the year – Nature’s Noel in December and the Plant Sale in May. These (mostly) ladies put months and…

No, not THAT newt

April 17, 2012

Critters, Eco-minded, Flowers, Nature Center, News, Restoration

Jean has been out and about again…this time on the hunt for salamanders! Getting the traps ready Last year, Margaret asked a question I had never even thought about. Why don’t we see salamanders here?…

Indian Creek Valley Tree Loss

April 12, 2012

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

Director Rich Patterson has been fielding a lot of questions about the loss of trees in the Indian Creek Valley. We are equally frustrated! Here is some information from Rich that may prove helpful. Many…

Ginger…or Maryanne?

April 5, 2012

Eco-minded, Flowers, Hit the Trails, Nature Center, News, Other, Weather

Jean has been out making more discoveries around the grounds… Wild ginger traditionally begins flowering in April, so I was somewhat surprised to see the deep red of its blossoms against the brown dirt of…

Wild Rice in our Wetland

March 23, 2012

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

Land and Facilities Steward Jean Wiedenheft was out recently in search of wild rice in our wetland and makes this report. When the Lynch Wetland was initially planted in 1999, wild rice (Zizania aquatica) was…

Signs of Spring at Bena Brook

February 29, 2012

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

Jean took a walk up Bena Brook and took the flipcam with her. Walk with Jean

Sure Signs of Spring

February 22, 2012

Calendar, Critters, Events, Nature Center, News, Other, Summer Camp, Syrup Fest

Two sure signs of spring here today. The first came when I got out of my car this morning and started across the parking lot towards the barn. Birds were chirping away when I heard…

Critter Cam

February 17, 2012

Critters, Eco-minded, Hit the Trails

Jean took the Flip Cam out to the apiary to check in on our bees. Take a look! Indian Creek Nature Center Apiary in February

Sap Savers

February 16, 2012

Events, Hit the Trails, Nature Center, News, Other, Programs, Syrup Fest

Our new naturalist, Jenny Rupp was part of the crew that tapped our first maple trees of the season this past Saturday. She is anxious for her first syruping season! What a marvelous winter it…