Programs
The Nature Center offers programming for all ages! Custom programs can be offered to meet your needs in terms of access to outdoors, time available, and physical ability. Nature Center programs are an ideal enrichment activity that can be tailored to your group’s desires.
Iowa Wildlife
Season(s) Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Discover and remember the diversity of wildlife in Iowa. See and touch artifacts from a variety of animals – birds, insects, mammals and more – and meet a live animal (optional). Outreach or onsite options available.
Discover Iowa Birds
Season(s) Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Discuss Iowa’s variety of birds. Listen to bird songs and calls. Look at bird feathers and artifacts. Outreach or onsite options available. Onsite option includes bird watching at our feeders.
Reptiles and Amphibians
Season(s) Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
What makes reptiles and amphibians similar and different? We’ll tell (and show!) you all about it. Meet some live reptiles and amphibians, too!
Bees for the Beginner (ICNC Onsite Only)
Season(s) Offered: Summer, Fall
Learn about the life cycle and the role of the queen, drones and worker honeybees. Look inside a real, indoor bee hive!
Forest Wildflowers
Season(s) Offered: Spring
See a slide show of woodland wildflowers and trees. Touch and feel tree cookies and leaves. Outreach or onsite options. Onsite option could include short walk, highlighting some of the wildflower and trees from the slide show.
Butterflies and Insects
Season(s) Offered: Summer, Early Fall (through September)
Get an up-close look at butterflies and other insects. Learn all about these small but mighty critters. Onsite or outreach options available. Onsite option could include a visit to our butterfly hoop house.
Wetland Gathering (ICNC Onsite Only)
Season(s) Offered: Spring, Summer, Early Fall (through mid-October)
Gather at one of our wetlands to witness the sounds and sights of these magical places. This program is onsite only. Talk with us about accessibility for those with mobility impairments.
At the Nature Center
The Nature Center’s property is ideally suited for a quick getaway. Located five miles from downtown Cedar Rapids, the Nature Center is easily accessible and provides a number of different experiences that can be customized for your group. Hard surface walkways are available and handicapped and bus drop-off are ideally located near the education center. Note: Please notify our registrar if special accommodations need to be made for individuals with mobility restrictions.
Cost: $2/participant (minimum of 10)
At Your Facility
Nature Center staff can travel to your facility and present informational and educational program topics on many areas, including gardening, sustainable living, wildlife, flowers, and many others. Programs requiring a staff naturalist to come to your facility are charged a flat fee with no minimum number of participants. Note: Please notify our registrar if special accommodations need to be made for individuals with mobility restrictions.
Cost: $75 (45-60 minutes)