Events

Little Tike Hike at Botna Bend Park

Families with young learners are invited to hit the trails for a self-guided hike full of fun nature learning at Botna Bend Park available during regular park hours of 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. March 6th through 31st. As you enjoy the sights and sounds along a Botna Bend Park trail you will spot activities posted along your route that are designed to help learners age three to five experience nature in a new way. Activities are posted along a .25 mile stretch of trail for your enjoyment. This is an "out and back" hike, once you reach the end of the trail you turn around and head back to the trailhead, making a .5 mile round-trip hike. This event is completely self-guided. It is free to all park users with paid park admission and is available any time during regular park hours. While it is designed for learners age 3 to 5, older learners may also enjoy participating.

Maple Tree Tap

Join us for Pottawattamie Conservation's annual Maple Tree Tap event at Botna Bend Park in Hancock, Iowa! This program will introduce you to the basics of syrup making from tapping the trees to bottling the final product. If temperatures are cooperative and the sap is flowing participants can even taste the sweet sap as it flows from the tree. This event will begin at 11:00 a.m. and attendees must arrive no later than 3:00 p.m. to participate. Please allow 45 minutes to 1 hour to make your way through all of our event stations.

The cost is $3.00 per person, children age 3 and under are free and do not need a reservation. The cost includes admission to the park and all programming. Online pre-registration is required as space is limited. Visit www.pottconservation.com to register online. For questions not answered online please call 712-545-3283, registrations will not be taken over the phone.

Storing and Organizing Your Family Archive: Virtual Workshop

Learn the basics of organizing your family archives in this free online workshop! Join the Union Pacific Museum to discover the "10 agents of deterioration" that attack our priceless family photos and documents. Topics will also include how to label and handle old photographs, as well as tips on where and how to store your family's archive.

Women's History at Noon - Althea R. Sherman's Chimney Swifts' Tower

Barbara Boyle talks about native Iowan Althea R. Sherman (1853-1943), who launched a second, self-taught career at age 50, in the science of ornithology. She made of her 'Acre of Birds' in northeast Iowa, a living research laboratory, and studied 42 specific bird species for 7 to 36 years each.

Virtual Program – Register to view with us in Room B or pre-register to view from home. A different program every Wednesday in March in celebration of Women’s History Month! Face masks and social distancing are required for in-person events and programs. This series is brought to you in part by the State Historical Society of Iowa.

Hikin' With a Nature Nerd

Go off the beaten path and explore the far reaches of the Wheeler Grove Conservation Area during a new kind of guided hike. We will be meeting in the parking area of Wheeler Grove Conservation Area located at 43774 Boxelder Avenue, Carson, Iowa.

New for 2021, Hikin' With a Nature Nerd, is a series of naturalist-led hikes aimed at exploring the rhythm of nature in southwest Iowa. Each hike will set out to explore new areas of your county parks and will include exploration of our native ecosystem through the changing seasons. Each hike will be a unique adventure, get ready to get off the trail and see what nature has in store for you. The cost for this event is $5.00 per person and includes park admission. Attendees must be age 14 and over. Pre-registration is required as space is limited. Visit www.pottconservation.com to register online.

Ross Medical Education Open House

Come chat with an advisor on our team! Enroll now to begin an exciting new career in fields such as medical or dental assistant, nursing, veterinary technician, and many more. Many degree options are available fully online. Masks and social distancing will be observed.

Family Vacations - Steam into Saturday Virtual Happy Hour

Did your family ever take a railroad vacation? Share your stories and explore the ways the railroad promoted vacation destinations during this free virtual happy hour.

Chanticleer Community Theater - Theater Class At Home: Act 2

Join us for an immersive theatrical adventure for Chanticleer Children’s Theater Series - Act 2: Theater @ Home! Our talented instructors guide each online series lesson, helping family’s step into their own imaginative world and share together the magic of the theater from the comfort and safety of their own homes!

These three-part online classes are perfect for performance art enthusiasts! Each 'Act' teaches the basics of theater, singing, and choreography, followed by two Q&A video sessions with the instructors. Hone your skills and learn something new with the amazing people from Chanticleer Community Theater.

Class Schedule:

• Act 2: March 15
• Act 3: April 15

Q&A Schedule:

• March 27: 10 a.m. - 11a.m. 
• April 24: 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. 

The $30.00 online registration covers all three classes and is available for purchase at any time. A link from ShowTix4U with your registration code will be sent to you. Watch at your convenience, following the February 15th premiere at 7:00 pm! New class installments will be released every 2 weeks!

Family Archives - Historic Photography Expert Talk and Q&A

We all have photographs – usually stored in shoe boxes or albums, and placed under the bed or in the closet. We see them as lasting forever, but they don’t. Photographs require special care. They react aggressively to the climate, and they frequently have inherent problems as a result of materials from which they are composed. Throughout their history, photographs have been recognized for their fragility. Paper and Photograph Conservator Gary Albright will briefly discuss the most common photographic processes found in family collections and offer practical advice on their preservation in this free online event. How should photographs be stored? Can they be safely exhibited? These issues will be addressed as we answer the questions you have about the care of your family photographs.

Women's History at Noon - A Bag of Penny Candy: Women of the 1930s

Shari Lemke will read excerpts from A Bag of Penny Candy: Women of the 1930s – A Collective Memoir, her second collaboration with Ann Loughlin. The book contains the writings of thirty-four women, primarily from Iowa and the Midwest, who recall their childhood experiences of the 1930s. Their recollections range from fun and funny to somber moments. She will also share the photos and illustrations that accompany the selections.

Virtual Program – Register to view with us in Room B or pre-register to view from home. A different program every Wednesday in March in celebration of Women’s History Month! Face masks and social distancing are required for in-person events and programs. This series is brought to you in part by the State Historical Society of Iowa.

Education Is Everyone's Business Virtual Luncheon

Each year the Council Bluffs Schools Foundation, in cooperation with the Council Bluffs Community School District, hosts the Education is Everyone’s Business Luncheon as a way to inform business and community partners of the important things happening in our schools. This year, we're going virtual! While we won’t be able to physically gather, we hope you will join us for this important event.   You'll hear updates from Chris Laferla, Executive Director and Dr. Vickie Murillo, CBCSD Superintendent, a compelling keynote by Dr. Jody Carrington, and the announcement of the Community Impact Award winner. Thank you to our presenting sponsor, TS Institute, and our Platform Sponsor, Pottawattamie County Community Foundation.

3rd Thursday at Hoovers ~ Lincoln, Race and the Challenge of Self-Government

March is Women’s History Month and Lou Henry Hoover’s birthday! In recognition of these, author and historian Annette Dunlap highlights the achievements of a first lady whose legacy has been largely forgotten, but whose impact can still be felt today.

This is a ZOOM program. Contact the Reference Desk at 712-323-7553, ext. 2 to sign up to join us for viewing in Meeting Room A, or visit the library's website to pre-register to view from home.

** Face masks and social distancing are required for in-person events and programs.

Antarctica: the White Continent

Kim Gibson of Council Bluffs, has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, backpacked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and traveled extensively across the United States. Earlier this year, he checked Antarctica off the list of continents he hadn’t yet visited. See the sights and hear the highlights about his trip to the southernmost continent and home of the South Pole. This is an in-person program. Space is limited. Contact the Reference Desk at 712-323-7553, ext. 2 to sign up to join us in Meeting Room B.

** Face masks and social distancing are required for in-person events and programs.

Masterpiece Charcuterie Board Class

Spend a relaxing and entertaining evening at Wenday's, learning how to prepare the perfect charcuterie board. Registration includes an espresso, or drip coffee of your choice or bring your own wine and sip and savor throughout this fun and entertaining event. Perfect for your "Night Out" group!

Waterfowl Identification: Virtual Workshop

Join us and celebrated educator Ron Cisar for the first full session of our 2021 season of "A Land Ethic Workshop". This program will be held entirely online and is perfect for anyone with an interest in conservation and a desire to develop a better understanding of the natural world outside their own front door. Our March program participants will explore common species of waterfowl and learn to identify them. We will also introduce participants to Iowa's unique Loess Hills, introduce nature journaling practices, read and discuss Aldo Leopold's essay "Geese Return", and more. This program is intended for participants age 14 and over. The cost is $15.00 per session or $75.00 for the full 10 session 2021 program season. Pre-registration is required for this online program, visit www.pottconservation.com for details and to register online.

Hikin' With a Nature Nerd

Go off the beaten path and explore the far reaches of Arrowhead Park during a new kind of guided hike. Please meet up with the group in the Breezy Lodge parking lot at Arrowhead Park.

New for 2021, Hikin' With a Nature Nerd, is a series of naturalist-led hikes aimed at exploring the rhythm of nature in southwest Iowa. Each hike will set out to explore new areas of your county parks and will include exploration of our native ecosystem through the changing seasons. Each hike will be a unique adventure, get ready to get off the trail and see what nature has in store for you. The cost for this event is $5.00 per person and includes park admission. Attendees must be age 14 and over. Pre-registration is required as space is limited. Visit www.pottconservation.com to register online.

Women's History at Noon - Iowa Stories: Why in the World Study Diaries?

Judy Nolte Temple began her career in diary publication with A Secret to be Buried, a book based on the diaries of Iowa pioneer Emily Hawley Gillespie. Temple talks about the challenges, mysteries, and surprises she has encountered in her worldwide diary quests.

Virtual Program – Register to view with us in Room B or pre-register to view from home. A different program every Wednesday in March in celebration of Women’s History Month! Face masks and social distancing are required for in-person events and programs. This series is brought to you in part by the State Historical Society of Iowa.

Railroad Music - Steam into Saturday Virtual Happy Hour

Almost since railroading began, people have been making music about it. Join us on a musical journey through railroad history that spans genre and culture during this free online event.

Family Archives - Digitization Expert Talk and Q&A

Join the UP Museum and Todd Murphy of Universal Information Services as we delve deeper into the topic of digitizing your family photos and films during this free online event. Todd will discuss best practices for approaching a film or video project, affordable equipment to do it yourself, and options if you want to outsource it. Then we'll invite you to ask your most burning questions about digitization.

Wildflower Identification: Virtual Workshop

Join us and celebrated educator Ron Cisar for another session of "A Land Ethic Workshop". This program will be held entirely online and is perfect for anyone with an interest in conservation and a desire to develop a better understanding of the natural world outside their own front door. Our April program participants will learn to locate and identify early spring wildflowers, read and discuss Aldo Leopold's essay "Draba", explore history of Earth Day, and more. This program is intended for participants age 14 and over. The cost is $15.00 per session or $75.00 for the full 10 session 2021 program season. Pre-registration is required for this online program, visit www.pottconservation.com for details and to register online.

Chanticleer Community Theater - Theater Class At Home: Act 3

Join us for an immersive theatrical adventure for Chanticleer Children’s Theater Series - Act 2: Theater @ Home! Our talented instructors guide each online series lesson, helping family’s step into their own imaginative world and share together the magic of the theater from the comfort and safety of their own homes!

These three-part online classes are perfect for performance art enthusiasts! Each 'Act' teaches the basics of theater, singing, and choreography, followed by two Q&A video sessions with the instructors. Hone your skills and learn something new with the amazing people from Chanticleer Community Theater.

Class Schedule:

• Act 3: April 15

Q&A Schedule:

• April 24: 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. 

The $30.00 online registration covers all three classes and is available for purchase at any time. A link from ShowTix4U with your registration code will be sent to you. Watch at your convenience, following the February 15th premiere at 7:00 pm! New class installments will be released every 2 weeks!

Morels, Fungi, and Lichens: Virtual Workshop

Join us and celebrated educator Ron Cisar for another session of "A Land Ethic Workshop". This program will be held entirely online and is perfect for anyone with an interest in conservation and a desire to develop a better understanding of the natural world outside their own front door. Our May program participants will learn to identify common mushroom, fungi, and lichen, learn about fungal structure and adaptations, read and discuss Aldo Leopold's essay "Back from the Argentine", and explore tern and plover conservation efforts. This program is intended for participants age 14 and over. The cost is $15.00 per session or $75.00 for the full 10 session 2021 program season. Pre-registration is required for this online program, visit www.pottconservation.com for details and to register online.

Freshwater Aquatic Studies: Virtual Workshop

Join us and celebrated educator Ron Cisar for another session of "A Land Ethic Workshop". This program will be held entirely online and is perfect for anyone with an interest in conservation and a desire to develop a better understanding of the natural world outside their own front door. Our June program participants will enjoy an introduction to the biotic and abiotic components of freshwater lakes, and a look at aquatic invasive species.

This program is intended for participants age 14 and over. The cost is $15.00 per session or $75.00 for the full 10 session 2021 program season. Pre-registration is required for this online program, visit www.pottconservation.com for details and to register online.

Butterfly Basics: Virtual Workshop

Join us and celebrated educator Ron Cisar for another session of "A Land Ethic Workshop". This program will be held entirely online and is perfect for anyone with an interest in conservation and a desire to develop a better understanding of the natural world outside their own front door. Our July program participants will enjoy an introduction to common butterflies of the Midwest, learn how to use a dichotomous key, and explore the importance of prescribed burns as a land stewardship tool.

This program is intended for participants age 14 and over. The cost is $15.00 per session or $75.00 for the full 10 sessions 2021 program season. Pre-registration is required for this online program, visit www.pottconservation.com for details and to register online.

A Chorus of Insects: Virtual Workshop

Join us and celebrated educator Ron Cisar for another session of "A Land Ethic Workshop". This program will be held entirely online and is perfect for anyone with an interest in conservation and a desire to develop a better understanding of the natural world outside their own front door. Our August program participants will enjoy an introduction to common insect species of the Midwest and an introduction to monarch tagging.

This program is intended for participants age 14 and over. The cost is $15.00 per session. Pre-registration is required for this online program, visit www.pottconservation.com for details and to register online.

Ornithology 101: Virtual Workshop

Join us and celebrated educator Ron Cisar for another session of "A Land Ethic Workshop". This program will be held entirely online and is perfect for anyone with an interest in conservation and a desire to develop a better understanding of the natural world outside their own front door. Our September program participants will enjoy an introduction to common raptor species of the Midwest, a discussion of lead poisoning and its effect on bald eagles, and an introduction to the annual raptor migration through the Missouri River valley.

This program is intended for participants age 14 and over. The cost is $15.00 per session. Pre-registration is required for this online program, visit www.pottconservation.com for details and to register online.

The Science of Fall: Virtual Workshop

Join us and celebrated educator Ron Cisar for another session of "A Land Ethic Workshop". This program will be held entirely online and is perfect for anyone with an interest in conservation and a desire to develop a better understanding of the natural world outside their own front door. Our October program participants will enjoy an introduction to the science behind our annual fall color and a look at the process of photosynthesis.

This program is intended for participants age 14 and over. The cost is $15.00 per session. Pre-registration is required for this online program, visit www.pottconservation.com for details and to register online.

Nature's Recyclers: Virtual Workshop

Join us and celebrated educator Ron Cisar for another session of "A Land Ethic Workshop". This program will be held entirely online and is perfect for anyone with an interest in conservation and a desire to develop a better understanding of the natural world outside their own front door. Our November program participants will explore the process of nature's annual decomposition and the organisms responsible for breaking down organic matter.

This program is intended for participants age 14 and over. The cost is $15.00 per session. Pre-registration is required for this online program, visit www.pottconservation.com for details and to register online.

Winter Survival Secrets: Virtual Workshop

Join us and celebrated educator Ron Cisar for another session of "A Land Ethic Workshop". This program will be held entirely online and is perfect for anyone with an interest in conservation and a desire to develop a better understanding of the natural world outside their own front door. Our December program participants will explore winter adaptations of the plant and animal world as well as tips and tricks for effective winter bird feeding.

This program is intended for participants age 14 and over. The cost is $15.00 per session. Pre-registration is required for this online program, visit www.pottconservation.com for details and to register online.