Eco-minded

How to Plant a Mini Prairie

There are many reasons Why to Plant a Mini Prairie ranging from reducing water runoff to restoring lost habitat for pollinators. Planting a prairie — even a little one — […]

How Mini Prairies Help Pollinators

What is a mini prairie? The plight of our pollinators is a far-reaching problem that impacts all of humanity, but what if there’s a small way that you can make […]

The Sunny Side of the Derecho: Ecological Advantages

By Director of Land Stewardship Jean Wiedenheft   If you had asked me in July what the biggest problems facing our forests are, I would have said: Lack of sunlight. […]

Plant trees properly with these tips

Guest Editorial by Mark Fleming, ICNC Volunteer and past member of the Iowa Master Landscape Association There are many decisions that need to be made when planting in your yard. […]

Recycle your Christmas Tree

Time to take down the tree? If it’s real, it can be recycled! The city of Cedar Rapids takes donations of Christmas trees through the end of January. Trees can […]

Nature Center

Why local honey?

When people stop into the Creekside Shop, we are often asked, “What’s the big deal about local honey? How is it different than what I can buy at the grocery […]

Nature Center

Where’s Old Henry?

We’re asked this so often, Jan decided to update everyone on Old Henry: A frequent question posed to Nature Center staff is, “Is Old Henry still here?” Well, yes and […]

Nature Center

Indian Creek Comes Alive

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 […]

Nature Center

Sounds of Spring

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 […]

Nature Center

Wild Rice in our Wetland

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, […]

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