News

What makes a tree the “right tree?” — Our take on native trees

September 25, 2020

Eco-minded, Fundraising, Nature Center, News

derecho recovery, ecological restoration, land restoration, native plants, tree sale

By Director of Land Stewardship Jean Wiedenheft People keep telling me how great catalpas are, but in my neck of the woods, quite literally, they are not great because they are not native. What constitutes…

The Sunny Side of the Derecho: Ecological Advantages

September 18, 2020

Liz Zabel

Eco-minded, Nature Center, News, Restoration, Sustainability, Weather

derecho, ecological restoration, ecology, land restoration

No Comments

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. There are too many trees…

Preschool Trail Trekkers: September At-Home Activities — Insects!

September 9, 2020

Liz Zabel

Critters, Kids, Nature Center, News, Programs

activities, fall, insects, trail trekkers

No Comments

Our Preschool Trail Trekkers programs offer children and accompanying adults a chance to explore the Nature Center and the outdoors with our Naturalists. To accomodate physical distancing and closures due to storm clean-up, we’ve created…

What about wildlife? The derecho’s impact on animals

September 4, 2020

Liz Zabel

Critters, News, Weather

derecho, naturalists, recovery, storm, wildlife

No Comments

Q: What happened to wildlife during the storm? A: Generally they would try to take shelter as best they can. Some will be successful, and others sometimes aren’t. One of the main ways wildlife actually…

Plant trees properly with these tips

September 1, 2020

Liz Zabel

Eco-minded, Nature Center, News, Sustainability

derecho recovery native plants, edible plants, how to plant a tree, plant trees, tree planting

No Comments

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. The time you put into…

Planting for Future Generations

August 26, 2020

Liz Zabel

Eco-minded, Fundraising, Nature Center, News, Restoration, Weather

Derecho 2020, donate, Fundraising, Future, Growth, help needed, Hope, land restoration, Replanting, Storm Recovery, trails, Trees, volunteer, woodland

As we clear away debris and recover our homes and businesses, many are grieving the loss of our natural landscape. Looking out on our properties, now bare of trees that provided shade and beauty, it…

The Forest is Bleeding

August 21, 2020

Liz Zabel

Amazing Space, Etzel Sugar Grove Farm, Fundraising, News

Derecho 2020, disaster recovery, donate now, etzel sugar grove farm, Indian Creek Nature Center, Natural Disaster, storm damage, volunteer

No Comments

A letter from Executive Director John Myers — August 19, 2020 One of the most emotional moments I’ve had in my time at Indian Creek Nature Center occurred just a few days ago when I…

Growth sprouting in every direction at Etzel Sugar Grove Farm

July 6, 2020

Liz Zabel

Etzel Sugar Grove Farm, News

agriculture, biodiversity, etzel sugar grove farm, farming, permaculture, regenerative farming, restorative, scott koepke, soil

No Comments

by Scott Koepke, Etzel Sugar Grove Farm Manager The following entry is my entire annual report on the 2019 growing season at Etzel Sugar Grove Farm that was written prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. All of the…

BIG NEWS: We are REOPENING JULY 7.

July 2, 2020

Liz Zabel

Amazing Space, News

amazing space, covid-19, masks, pandemic, reopening

No Comments

We are (cautiously) reopening the doors to Amazing Space on Tuesday, July 7. However, reopening doesn’t mean things will look like they did pre-COVID. The safety of you and your family, as well as our…

Championing Diversity in the Outdoors

June 8, 2020

Liz Zabel

Diversity Equity Inclusion, News

anti-racism, diversity, equity, inclusion, justice

Our work to create Champions of Nature through education and inspiration cannot be achieved without racial and social justice as well. We stand in solidarity with those seeking justice and change, and are committed to…

News

What makes a tree the “right tree?” — Our take on native trees

The Sunny Side of the Derecho: Ecological Advantages

Preschool Trail Trekkers: September At-Home Activities — Insects!

What about wildlife? The derecho’s impact on animals

Plant trees properly with these tips

Planting for Future Generations

The Forest is Bleeding

Growth sprouting in every direction at Etzel Sugar Grove Farm

BIG NEWS: We are REOPENING JULY 7.

Championing Diversity in the Outdoors

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