Public Programming

Join Director of Education, Marcy Fratzke, for a look at Creekside Forest School. Prospective families, interested community members, current or pre-service educators are welcome to attend. Register

Join ornithologist Dr. Neil Bernstein for a special bird banding program. Be our guest and drop in at the back of Penningroth Barn (6665 Otis Rd) anytime to watch Dr. Bernstein net, band, and release birds from Nature Center property. You’ll get a chance to see the equipment he uses, observe the banding process, and...

Parents and their children from birth to school age are invited to join the Cedar Rapids Hike It Baby chapter for a family-friendly hike at the Nature Center! Hike It Baby is a national non-profit organization that offers new parents an opportunity to connect and get into nature with their young children. Dress appropriately for...

Discover the many good things bats do for us. Where do they live? What do they eat? How do these flying mammals hunt? Listen to a story and play a bat game. For preschoolers with adult. Dress for outdoor activities. Meet at the Penningroth Barn Fees: $5 preschooler (ages 3-5), free for ages 2 and...

Discover the many good things bats do for us. Where do they live? What do they eat? How do these flying mammals hunt? Listen to a story and play a bat game. For preschoolers with adult. Dress for outdoor activities. Meet at the Penningroth Barn Fees: $5 preschooler (ages 3-5), free for ages 2 and...

Learn the basic information you need to raise hens in urban and suburban areas during class. Participants will receive a certificate of completion, enabling them to get a permit to legally keep chickens in Cedar Rapids and other communities. ​This class is geared towards adults. Please note: If your registration contains multiple participants, a certificate...

Lace up your hiking shoes and venture out at dusk to join a small group of adventurers for a guided night hike. The ICNC prairie and woodland trails will be lit by the light of the full moon, but you'll also want to bring a flashlight or headlamp, just in case of cloud cover. Encounters...

Join ornithologist Dr. Neil Bernstein for a special bird banding program. Be our guest and drop in at Penningroth Barn (6665 Otis Rd) anytime to watch Dr. Bernstein net, band, and release birds from Nature Center property. You’ll get a chance to see the equipment he uses, observe the banding process, and learn about the...

Let’s paint a pumpkin and some squash! This is a beginner level painting class and participants do not need any previous watercolor experience. Bring a positive attitude ready to learn a new skill. Supplies included in class fee: watercolor palette, brush, coldpress 140lb watercolor paper, Peerless Transparent Watercolors sample pack, as well as backing board...

See Indian Creek property in a whole new way! Have a seat in our quiet, electric golf cart as we tour prairies east of the nature center in style. Other routes/stops on this one-hour journey will include a stop at the blue bridge, peek inside the lower level of the old barn and drive through...

Let’s paint a pumpkin and some squash! This is a beginner level painting class and participants do not need any previous watercolor experience. Bring a positive attitude ready to learn a new skill. Supplies included in class fee: watercolor palette, brush, coldpress 140lb watercolor paper, Peerless Transparent Watercolors sample pack, as well as backing board...

Parents and their children from birth to school age are invited to join the Cedar Rapids Hike It Baby chapter for a family-friendly hike at the Nature Center! Hike It Baby is a national non-profit organization that offers new parents an opportunity to connect and get into nature with their young children. Dress appropriately for...

Take a hike and explore nature! Before you go, learn what items you need for outdoor activities. Dress for the weather - we’ll go outside rain, snow or shine! Learn about and meet animals up close. Fees: $10 per scout, Scout leaders free (limit 2 per group), $5 per adult Registration deadline: 2 days prior...

Take a hike around the Nature Center and experience the sights and sounds, and look for plants and animals. Along the way learn about trees and practice the art of leaf rubbing. Meet some of the animals that live at ICNC. Don’t forget to bring your Cub Scout six essentials! Fees: $10 per scout, Scout...

Join ornithologist Dr. Neil Bernstein for a special bird banding program. Be our guest and drop in at Penningroth Barn (6665 Otis Rd) anytime to watch Dr. Bernstein net, band, and release birds from Nature Center property. You’ll get a chance to see the equipment he uses, observe the banding process, and learn about the...