Events

Night Out with Nightjars

Join avid birder, Nic Salick, for an evening hike where we'll look for Nightjars in the prime of their mating season. These are nocturnal, owl-like birds that don't build nests and have some funky behaviors. $10 per person. Ages 12+. We'll learn to identify two species of Nightjars, the Common Nighthawk and the Eastern Whip-poor-will, discuss their unique habits, and with some luck, be serenaded by their song after sunset. While we will try not to use flashlights or headlamps during the program, feel free to have one along to help you get back to the lodge when we conclude. Better yet, use a red light! Please note: Part of this program will take place outdoors and involves pedestrian travel on uneven, dirt trails. Please plan accordingly and leave your pets at home.

Trail Work Volunteer Signup | Trailblazer Bonanza at Hitchcock Nature Center

Grab a shovel and blaze a new trail with the Loess Hills Nordic Ski Patrol on National Trails Day! Help finish the last of four new trails at Hitchcock Nature Center before they open to the public. This volunteer event is perfect for hardworking helpers who aren't afraid to get a little dirty while establishing a new trail and removing fencing on National Trails Day. Pre-registration is required and lunch will be provided following trail work. Please meet on the back patio of the Loess Hills Lodge near the Bluestem Room. Before registering, be sure to read our Activity Liability Waiver here. What to wear and bring: Long pants Closed-toe shoes Hat or head covering Work gloves Reusable water bottle (water refill stations will be available) Rules and considerations: Because of the intensity of this work, please do not bring children under 12 years old or dogs. Bring them back another day to blaze the trails you helped create! Park volunteers do not need to pay park entrance fees

Trailblazer Bonanza New Trail Celebration at Hitchcock Nature Center

Pottawattamie Conservation is adding four new trails to Hitchcock Nature Center's trail system in the beautiful Loess Hills of Iowa and we need YOUR help blazing them! Visitors of all ages are invited to join Pottawattamie Conservation and the Loess Hills Nordic Ski Patrol for a public ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. at Hitchcock Nature Center's Loess Hills Lodge with guided hikes to follow. Event Schedule:

- Presentation and Ribbon Cutting at the Loess Hills Lodge: 1:00 p.m.
- Guided Hikes: Approximately 1:30 p.m.
- Guided hikes to explore each new trail will take place immediately following the public presentation and ribbon cutting.

Visitors should plan for hikes to take approximately 2 hours with each trail offering varying levels of difficulty. What to bring: Visitors should come prepared with proper hiking shoes, a reusable water bottle, and a passion for adventure! Please be sure to dress for the weather. It is advised to wear a hat and long socks to avoid ticks.

Evening Bird Hike

Join avid birder, Nic Salick, for an evening guided hike where you'll learn about local birds while walking in Iowa's beautiful Loess Hills. $10 per person. Ages 12+. Please note: This program will take place outdoors and involves pedestrian travel on uneven, dirt trails. Please plan accordingly and leave your pets at home.

Wild Seekers Summer Camp | Hitchcock Nature Center

Students entering 3rd & 4th Grade will expand their outdoor knowledge during Wild Seekers at Hitchcock Nature Center June 13th - June 15th. Campers will discover new skills and explore the wild side of Iowa during this hands-on camp. Campers will enjoy beginning archery lessons, shelter-building challenges, hiking, plant and animal identification, and nature crafts.

Online pre-registration is required as space is limited. 

• What: Wild Seekers camp is designed for unaccompanied campers entering 3rd & 4th grade (students ages 8 to 9).
• Where: The camp will be held at Hitchcock Nature Center in Honey Creek, IA
• When: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. from Tuesday, June 13th through Thursday, June 15th.
• Pricing: The cost for this three-day camp is $75.00 per camper and includes park admission, snacks, and camp materials.
• Camps may be attended by students in the listed grades only. No additional students or parents, please. 
• Campers will need to provide a sack lunch for each day of camp. We also request campers bring a refillable water bottle, sunblock, and insect repellent. 

Friday the 16th will be a backup rain date.

Freshwater Ecosystems | A Land Ethic Workshop

Join us & celebrated educator Ron Cisar for this month's session of "A Land Ethic Workshop." This program 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. $15/person. Ages 14+. Program participants will enjoy a full morning of instruction & learning, including

- An introduction to the biotic & abiotic components of freshwater lakes
- A look at aquatic invasive species
- Continued guidance for successful nature journaling
- A reading & discussion of Aldo Leopold's essay "The Alder Fork"
- Who was Sigurd Olson?
- June Nature Calendar (phenology)
- Each month will include a look at Mother Nature's Calendar to help familiarize you with natural changes you can look for throughout the year and will finish out in true Leopold tradition, with a song.

Midsummer Magic

At the height of the sun's annual cycle, when the verdant world is at its fullest, come learn about the traditions and folk practices associated with the Summer Solstice. We'll discuss the long tradition of collecting plants dedicated to the Sun between this time of year and the beginning of the harvest season and how to make some traditional herbal preparations using some of these plants. Learn about how people have for many centuries associated this date with the midway point in the growing season and how this influenced their interactions with the living world. We'll also chat about some traditional folk practices for preserving the strength of the sun traditionally practiced at this time of year and bringing those forward through the rest of the year and into the winter. Hosted by naturalist Dustin Clayton. Cost is $10/person. Ages 16+.

Wild Wanderers Summer Camp | Hitchcock Nature Center

Students entering 5th & 6th Grade will expand their outdoor knowledge during Wild Wanderers at Hitchcock Nature Center June 20th - June 22nd. Campers will continue growing their outdoor survival skills through archery lessons, orienteering, fire building, and more.

Online pre-registration is required as space is limited.

• What: Wild Wanderers camp is designed for unaccompanied campers entering 5th & 6th grade (students ages 10 to 11).
• Where: The camp will be held at Hitchcock Nature Center in Honey Creek, IA
• When: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. from Tuesday, June 20th through Thursday, June 22nd.
• Pricing: The cost for this three-day camp is $75.00 per camper and includes park admission, snacks, and camp materials.
• Camps may be attended by students in the listed grades only. No additional students or parents, please. 
• Campers will need to provide a sack lunch for each day of camp. We also request campers bring a refillable water bottle, sunblock, and insect repellent. 

Friday the 23rd will be a backup rain date.

June Hitch Hike | Badger Ridge

Join us Tuesday, June 20th at 7:00 p.m. for the second hike of our 2023 Hitch Hike series where we'll take a closer look at some of Hitchcock's best prairie remnants as you are guided along Badger Ridge. Discover purple coneflowers and other early summer wildflowers and get an idea of what the hills may have looked like during the time of Lewis and Clark. Pre-registration is not required for this event, although free-will donations will be gratefully accepted and used to fund additional free and low-cost public programming at your county parks. Free with $5/vehicle park entry or a park membership. Weather permitting. Please meet us at the Loess Hills Lodge. Pets: Well-behaved dogs are permitted to accompany their owners but must be leashed at all times.

July Hitch Hike | Fox Run Ridge

Join us Tuesday, July 18th at 7:00 p.m. for the third hike of the 2023 Hitch Hike series! Hike out and back Fox Run Ridge while taking in the stunning views of the Missouri River valley and beautiful prairie and savanna. Fun historical fact: The valley seen off Fox Run Ridge is known as Bulldozer Valley and was partially created by bulldozers when a previous landowner cut down 40 acres of trees there while going through a legal battle to turn the park into a dump. Pre-registration is not required for this event, although free-will donations will be gratefully accepted and used to fund additional free and low-cost public programming at your county parks. Free with $5/vehicle park entry or a park membership which can be purchased online here. Weather permitting. Please meet us at the Loess Hills Lodge. Pets: Well-behaved dogs are permitted to accompany their owners but must be leashed at all times.

Butterfly Basics | A Land Ethic Workshop

Join us & celebrated educator Ron Cisar for this month's session of "A Land Ethic Workshop." This program 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. $15/person. Ages 14+. Program participants will enjoy a full morning of instruction & learning, including

- An introduction to common butterflies of the Midwest
- A look at prescribed burns as a land stewardship tool
- How to use a dichotomous key
- A reading & discussion of Aldo Leopold's essay "Prairie Birthday"
- July Nature Calendar (phenology)
- Each month will include a look at Mother Nature's Calendar to help familiarize you with natural changes you can look for throughout the year and will finish out in true Leopold tradition, with a song.

Wild Ones Summer Camp | Hitchcock Nature Center

Students entering 1st & 2nd Grade are invited to explore nature during Wild Ones at Hitchcock Nature Center July 25th - July 27th. Campers will walk on the wild side during this immersive camp experience packed full of fort building, hiking, outdoor games, nature crafts, and more!  

Online pre-registration is required as space is limited.

• What: Wild Ones camp is designed for unaccompanied campers entering 1st & 2nd grade (students ages 6 to 8).
• Where: The camp will be held at Hitchcock Nature Center in Honey Creek, IA
• When: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. from Tuesday, July 25th through Thursday, July 27th.
• Pricing: The cost for this three-day camp is $75.00 per camper and includes park admission, snacks, and camp materials.
• Camps may be attended by students in the listed grades only. No additional students or parents, please. 
• Campers will need to provide a sack lunch for each day of camp. We also request campers bring a refillable water bottle, sunblock, and insect repellent.

Friday the 28th will be a backup rain date.

Wildlings Camp | Brilliant Birds (Morning)

Wildlings Camp is a great way to introduce your child to the wonders of the outdoors. Why are some birds so colorful? Do all birds build nests? How do they fly so high? Campers will answer all these questions and more as they learn to use binoculars, climb our observation tower for a bird's eye view, learn about wings, and even meet a live bird friend.

Online pre-registration is required as space is limited.

• What: Wildings Camp | Brilliant Birds is designed for unaccompanied campers who are ages 3 to 5.
• Where: The camp will be held at Hitchcock Nature Center in Honey Creek, IA
• When: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 31st.
• Pricing: The cost for this camp is $15.00 per camper and includes park admission, snacks, and camp materials.
• Camps may be attended by students who are ages 3 to 5.
• We request campers bring a refillable water bottle and have sunblock and insect repellent applied beforehand.    

Wildlings Camp | Brilliant Birds (Afternoon)

Wildlings Camp is a great way to introduce your child to the wonders of the outdoors. Why are some birds so colorful? Do all birds build nests? How do they fly so high? Campers will answer all these questions and more as they learn to use binoculars, climb our observation tower for a bird's eye view, learn about wings, and even meet a live bird friend.

Online pre-registration is required as space is limited.

• What: Wildings Camp | Brilliant Birds is designed for unaccompanied campers who are ages 3 to 5.
• Where: The camp will be held at Hitchcock Nature Center in Honey Creek, IA
• When: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Monday, July 31st.
• Pricing: The cost for this camp is $15.00 per camper and includes park admission, snacks, and camp materials.
• Camps may be attended by students who are ages 3 to 5. 
• We request campers bring a refillable water bottle and have sunblock and insect repellent applied beforehand.    

Wildlings Camp | Impressive Insects (Morning)

Wildlings Camp is a great way to introduce your child to the wonders of the outdoors. Did you know butterflies taste with their feet? Or that most flowers cannot make seeds without help from insects. Insects are fascinating and have so many neat adaptations to learn about. Go on an insect safari and see what insects live in the forests and prairies. Discover their secrets and learn more about these tiny creatures that share our world.

Online pre-registration is required as space is limited.

• What: Wildings Camp | Impressive Insects is designed for unaccompanied campers who are ages 3 to 5.
• Where: The camp will be held at Hitchcock Nature Center in Honey Creek, IA
• When: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 1st.
• Pricing: The cost for this camp is $15.00 per camper and includes park admission, snacks, and camp materials.
• Camps may be attended by students who are ages 3 to 5. 
• We request campers bring a refillable water bottle and have sunblock and insect repellent applied beforehand. 

Wildlings Camp | Impressive Insects (Afternoon)

Wildlings Camp is a great way to introduce your child to the wonders of the outdoors. Did you know butterflies taste with their feet? Or that most flowers cannot make seeds without help from insects. Insects are fascinating and have so many neat adaptations to learn about. Go on an insect safari and see what insects live in the forests and prairies. Discover their secrets and learn more about these tiny creatures that share our world.

Online pre-registration is required as space is limited.

• What: Wildings Camp | Impressive Insects is designed for unaccompanied campers who are ages 3 to 5.
• Where: The camp will be held at Hitchcock Nature Center in Honey Creek, IA
• When: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 1st.
• Pricing: The cost for this camp is $15.00 per camper and includes park admission, snacks, and camp materials.
• Camps may be attended by students who are ages 3 to 5.
• We request campers bring a refillable water bottle and have sunblock and insect repellent applied beforehand. 

Wildlings Camp | Awesome Amphibians (Morning)

Wildlings Camp is a great way to introduce your child to the wonders of the outdoors. How far can a frog jump? Learn the answer and much more as we learn more about frogs and other amphibians. Meet live frogs & have a "hopping" good time with hands-on activities & a froggy craft.

Online pre-registration is required as space is limited.

• What: Wildings Camp | Awesome Amphibians is designed for unaccompanied campers who are ages 3 to 5.
• Where: The camp will be held at Hitchcock Nature Center in Honey Creek, IA
• When: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 2nd.
• Pricing: The cost for this camp is $15.00 per camper and includes park admission, snacks, and camp materials.
• Camps may be attended by students who are ages 3 to 5. 
• We request campers bring a refillable water bottle, and have sunblock and insect repellent applied beforehand.

Wildlings Camp | Awesome Amphibians (Afternoon)

Wildlings Camp is a great way to introduce your child to the wonders of the outdoors. How far can a frog jump? Learn the answer and much more as we learn more about frogs and other amphibians. Meet live frogs & have a "hopping" good time with hands-on activities & a froggy craft.

Online pre-registration is required as space is limited.

• What: Wildings Camp | Awesome Amphibians is designed for unaccompanied campers who are ages 3 to 5.
• Where: The camp will be held at Hitchcock Nature Center in Honey Creek, IA
• When: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 2nd.
• Pricing: The cost for this camp is $15.00 per camper and includes park admission, snacks, and camp materials.
• Camps may be attended by students who are ages 3 to 5. 
• We request campers bring a refillable water bottle, and have sunblock and insect repellent applied beforehand.  

Wildlings Camp | Magnificent Mammals (Morning)

Wildlings Camp is a great way to introduce your child to the wonders of the outdoors. Our furry friends the cottontail rabbit, whitetail deer, raccoon, fox, and more take center stage at this camp. Touch & feel animal furs, head out on a hike to spot animal tracks, and learn about some of the furry friends that make Hitchcock Nature Center their home.

Online pre-registration is required as space is limited.

• What: Wildings Camp | Magnificent Mammals is designed for unaccompanied campers who are ages 3 to 5.
• Where: The camp will be held at Hitchcock Nature Center in Honey Creek, IA
• When: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 3rd.
• Pricing: The cost for this camp is $15.00 per camper and includes park admission, snacks, and camp materials.
• Camps may be attended by students who are ages 3 to 5. 
• We request campers bring a refillable water bottle, and have sunblock and insect repellent applied beforehand

Wildlings Camp | Magnificent Mammals (Afternoon)

Wildlings Camp is a great way to introduce your child to the wonders of the outdoors. Our furry friends the cottontail rabbit, whitetail deer, raccoon, fox, and more take center stage at this camp. Touch & feel animal furs, head out on a hike to spot animal tracks, and learn about some of the furry friends that make Hitchcock Nature Center their home.

Online pre-registration is required as space is limited.

• What: Wildings Camp | Magnificent Mammals is designed for unaccompanied campers who are ages 3 to 5.
• Where: The camp will be held at Hitchcock Nature Center in Honey Creek, IA
• When: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 3rd.
• Pricing: The cost for this camp is $15.00 per camper and includes park admission, snacks, and camp materials.
• Camps may be attended by students who are ages 3 to 5. 
• We request campers bring a refillable water bottle, and have sunblock and insect repellent applied beforehand.   

Wildlings Camp | Rockin' Reptiles (Morning)

Wildlings Camp is a great way to introduce your child to the wonders of the outdoors. Why do snakes stick out their tongues? How do snakes move without legs? What other reptiles make Iowa their home? Join us for this hands-on camp and find out! Campers will get to meet a local snake and learn all about reptile adaptations through hands-on activities.

Online pre-registration is required as space is limited.

• What: Wildings Camp | Rockin' Reptiles is designed for unaccompanied campers who are ages 3 to 5. This camp focuses on reptiles.
• Where: The camp will be held at Hitchcock Nature Center in Honey Creek, IA
• When: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 4th.
• Pricing: The cost for this camp is $15.00 per camper and includes park admission, snacks, and camp materials.
• Camps may be attended by students who are ages 3 to 5.
• We request campers bring a refillable water bottle, and have sunblock and insect repellent applied beforehand.

Wildlings Camp | Rockin' Reptiles (Afternoon)

Wildlings Camp is a great way to introduce your child to the wonders of the outdoors. Why do snakes stick out their tongues? How do snakes move without legs? What other reptiles make Iowa their home? Join us for this hands-on camp and find out! Campers will get to meet a local snake and learn all about reptile adaptations through hands-on activities.

Online pre-registration is required as space is limited.

• What: Wildings Camp | Rockin' Reptiles is designed for unaccompanied campers who are ages 3 to 5.
• Where: The camp will be held at Hitchcock Nature Center in Honey Creek, IA
• When: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Friday, August 4th.
• Pricing: The cost for this camp is $15.00 per camper and includes park admission, snacks, and camp materials.
• Camps may be attended by students who are ages 3 to 5.
• We request campers bring a refillable water bottle, and have sunblock and insect repellent applied beforehand

High Summer Prairie Medicine

When summer is at its hottest and gold is just beginning to touch the grasses, join Dustin Clayton at Hitchcock Nature Center and witness how life is ripening as the growing season approaches its apogee. We'll examine the nut trees and check their progress and take a close look at the late summer flowers and plants competing for pollinators. We'll talk about the vast array of wild medicines, foods, and craft materials present at this time and about how to respectfully engage with this bounty and incorporate forest and prairie plants into your home garden. Hosted by naturalist Dustin Clayton. Cost is $10/person. Ages 16+. Registration required.

August Hitch Hike | Historical Old Lincoln Highway & Hohneke Trail

Join us Tuesday, August 15th at 7:00 p.m. for the fourth hike of the 2023 Hitch Hike series! Meet up with the group at the Old Lincoln Highway Deck at the Hitchcock Nature Center Campground to begin this walk down the Hohneke Trail to Oak Avenue and the Bunker Hill Loop. Explore the northern section of the park and view a remnant of the original Old Lincoln Highway. Pre-registration is not required for this event, although free-will donations will be gratefully accepted and used to fund additional free and low-cost public programming at your county parks. Free with $5/vehicle park entry or membership. Weather permitting. Please meet up with the group at the Old Lincoln Highway Deck at the Hitchcock Nature Center Campground. Pets: Well-behaved dogs are permitted to accompany their owners but must be leashed at all times.

A Chorus of Insects | A Land Ethic Workshop

Join us & celebrated educator Ron Cisar for this month's session of "A Land Ethic Workshop." This program 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. $15/person. Ages 14+. Program participants will enjoy a full morning of instruction & learning, including

- An introduction to common insects of the Midwest
- Continued instruction on nature journaling
- A reading & discussion of Aldo Leopold's essay "The Green Pasture"
- Life on the Forest Floor
-A Quadrat Study
- August Nature Calendar (phenology)
- Each month will include a look at Mother Nature's Calendar to help familiarize you with natural changes you can look for throughout the year and will finish out in true Leopold tradition, with a song.

Homeschool in the Hills AM | Leafing-Out with Trees

How is a tree like an apartment complex? Learn to identify local trees, what they need, how they function, and their role in an ecosystem. Enjoy a snack and stay after the program to explore the park and socialize. Cost for this event is $4.00 per person for children ages 3 and over and covers your park entry fee. Accompanying adults and children under 3 are free -- children under 3 do not need a reservation. Please meet at the Loess Hills Lodge Bluestem Room at 10 a.m. These programs are delivered in a small-group, mostly outdoor guided format and are designed for elementary students in kindergarten through early high school. Please note: Students 10 years of age and under must be accompanied by an adult. An option for unaccompanied students age 11 and older will be offered. For questions not answered online please call 712-545-3283.

Homeschool in the Hills PM | Leafing-Out with Trees

How is a tree like an apartment complex? Learn to identify local trees, what they need, how they function, and their role in an ecosystem. Enjoy a snack and stay after the program to explore the park and socialize. Cost for this event is $4.00 per person for children ages 3 and over and covers your park entry fee. Accompanying adults and children under 3 are free -- children under 3 do not need a reservation. Please meet at the Loess Hills Lodge Bluestem Room at 1 p.m. These programs are delivered in a small-group, mostly outdoor guided format and are designed for elementary students in kindergarten through early high school. Please note: Students 10 years of age and under must be accompanied by an adult. An option for unaccompanied students age 11 and older will be offered. For questions not answered online please call 712-545-3283.

Monarch Tagging | 9 A.M.

The monarch butterflies are on their way! Every year in late summer, the super-generation of monarchs make their way to overwintering grounds in Mexico. Come learn about monarch butterflies, their life cycle, and their miraculous migration to Mexico as we teach you how we catch, handle, and tag monarchs for research. After learning about these amazing migrators, participants are invited to hit the trails with nets in search of monarch butterflies. Staff will show you how we tag and release them. Please note: You are welcome to bring your own butterfly net or use one of ours. This event will be held entirely outside. The cost for this event is $5.00 per person and pre-registration is required. Children age 3 & under are free and do not need a reservation. This fee includes your admission to the park & use of equipment. Please meet at the Loess Hills Lodge. For questions not answered online please call 712-545-3283.

Monarch Tagging | 11 A.M.

The monarch butterflies are on their way! Every year in late summer, the super-generation of monarchs make their way to overwintering grounds in Mexico. Come learn about monarch butterflies, their life cycle, and their miraculous migration to Mexico as we teach you how we catch, handle, and tag monarchs for research. After learning about these amazing migrators, participants are invited to hit the trails with nets in search of monarch butterflies. Staff will show you how we tag and release them. Please note: You are welcome to bring your own butterfly net or use one of ours. This event will be held entirely outside. The cost for this event is $5.00 per person and pre-registration is required. Children age 3 & under are free and do not need a reservation. This fee includes your admission to the park & use of equipment. Please meet at the Loess Hills Lodge. For questions not answered online please call 712-545-3283.

Monarch Tagging | 1 P.M.

The monarch butterflies are on their way! Every year in late summer, the super-generation of monarchs make their way to overwintering grounds in Mexico. Come learn about monarch butterflies, their life cycle, and their miraculous migration to Mexico as we teach you how we catch, handle, and tag monarchs for research. After learning about these amazing migrators, participants are invited to hit the trails with nets in search of monarch butterflies. Staff will show you how we tag and release them. Please note: You are welcome to bring your own butterfly net or use one of ours. This event will be held entirely outside. The cost for this event is $5.00 per person and pre-registration is required. Children age 3 & under are free and do not need a reservation. This fee includes your admission to the park & use of equipment. Please meet at the Loess Hills Lodge. For questions not answered online please call 712-545-3283.

Monarch Tagging | 3 P.M.

The monarch butterflies are on their way! Every year in late summer, the super-generation of monarchs make their way to overwintering grounds in Mexico. Come learn about monarch butterflies, their life cycle, and their miraculous migration to Mexico as we teach you how we catch, handle, and tag monarchs for research. After learning about these amazing migrators, participants are invited to hit the trails with nets in search of monarch butterflies. Staff will show you how we tag and release them. Please note: You are welcome to bring your own butterfly net or use one of ours. This event will be held entirely outside. The cost for this event is $5.00 per person and pre-registration is required. Children age 3 & under are free and do not need a reservation. This fee includes your admission to the park & use of equipment. Please meet at the Loess Hills Lodge. For questions not answered online please call 712-545-3283.

Summer's End Harvest Lore with Dustin Clayton

The Autumn equinox approaches. The nuts and fruits of the end of summer fall,  the birds begin to flock and the nights begin to cool. The land will be changing and it's our task to notice those changes and what they mean for the coming colder half of the year. We will discuss preserving medicines as tinctures and teas, chat about using nettles to make cords and rope, and think about harvest's tie to reciprocity.

Since time immemorial, people have made offerings and gifts to the land or in some way celebrated the bounty of the growing season. From corn dollies to harvest festivals to state fairs, we'll talk about what an offering really is and what kind of offering is appropriate and indeed helpful in our present world.  We'll sit with the idea that volunteering can be a type of offering as can gardening with native plants and cleaning up trash in natural areas.  

Ages 16+ please. $12 per person. Park entry fee included in registration. Please meet at the Loess Hills Lodge.

Ornithology 101 | A Land Ethic Workshop

Join us & celebrated educator Ron Cisar for this month's session of "A Land Ethic Workshop." This program 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. $15/person. Ages 14+. Program participants will enjoy a full morning of instruction & learning, including

- Ornithology 101
- Bird Characteristics and Identification
- An introduction to common bird species
- A look at the annual raptor migration through the Missouri River valley
- A study of lead poisoning & its effect on Bald Eagles
- A reading & discussion of Aldo Leopold's essay "The Choral Copse"
- September Nature Calendar (phenology)
- Each month will include a look at Mother Nature's Calendar to help familiarize you with natural changes you can look for throughout the year and will finish out in true Leopold tradition, with a song.

September Hitch Hike | Westridge Trail

Join us at Hitchcock Nature Center on Tuesday, September 26th for the fifth Hitch Hike of the season! This hike will begin at 6:00 p.m. and is the most challenging hike of the series. Head out to the westernmost section of the park along the famed Westridge Trail to a scenic overlook with an astounding view of the Missouri River floodplain and explore new trail sections that will be open to the public in June 2023. All experience levels are welcome but this 3.5-mile hike will include traversing steep terrain. Pre-registration is not required for this event, although free-will donations will be gratefully accepted and used to fund additional free and low-cost public programming at your county parks. Free with $5/vehicle park entry or membership. Weather permitting. Please meet us at the Loess Hills Lodge. Pets: Well-behaved dogs are permitted to accompany their owners but must be leashed at all times.

Why Leaves Change Color | A Land Ethic Workshop

Join us & celebrated educator Ron Cisar for this month's session of "A Land Ethic Workshop." This program 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. $15/person. Ages 14+. Program participants will enjoy a full morning of instruction & learning, including

- An introduction to the science behind our annual fall color
- A look at the fascinating process of photosynthesis
- Continued nature journaling practice
- A reading & discussion of Aldo Leopold's essay "Smoky Gold"
- October Nature Calendar (phenology)
- Each month will include a look at Mother Nature's Calendar to help familiarize you with natural changes you can look for throughout the year and will finish out in true Leopold tradition, with a song.

Hitchcock Haunted Hollow | Saturday

Have a "howling" good time at Hitchcock Nature Center during our annual Hitchcock Haunted Hollow treasure hunt! This all-ages program is the perfect way to get outdoors, learn something new about the natural world, and explore autumn in Iowa's Loess Hills. $5 per person. Free for kids ages 3 and under. Swing by the Loess Hills Lodge between 11:00 and 2:00 p.m. to grab your spooky trail map with clues, then hit the trails to see if you can find the answers and return victorious. Don't forget to swing back by the lodge before it closes to grab your prize when you're done! Costumes are welcome! Event details: - Online pre-registration is required as supplies are limited. - Cost is $5.00 per person for those ages 4+ and includes park admission. Children ages 3 and under are free and do not need a reservation. - Strollers are not permitted unless you are on Boardwalk trail or in a parking area. - Please meet at the Loess Hills Lodge to pick up your spooky treasure map.

4th Annual Halloween Witchy Woods Walk

You'll see the changing forest in a whole new light after this Halloween hike! Take part and examine how folklore can deepen your relationship with the forest and prairie. Learn about the plant, animal, and mineral communities of the Loess Hills and their significance in the seasonal folklore associated with Halloween. If time allows, we'll return to the lodge for a demonstration of some of the items and techniques discussed on the hike.

Online pre-registration is required. 

Hitchcock Haunted Hollow | Sunday

Have a "howling" good time at Hitchcock Nature Center during our annual Hitchcock Haunted Hollow treasure hunt! This all-ages program is the perfect way to get outdoors, learn something new about the natural world, and explore autumn in Iowa's Loess Hills. $5 per person. Free for kids ages 3 and under. Swing by the Loess Hills Lodge between 11:00 and 2:00 p.m. to grab your spooky trail map with clues, then hit the trails to see if you can find the answers and return victorious. Don't forget to swing back by the lodge before it closes to grab your prize when you're done! Costumes are welcome! Event details: - Online pre-registration is required as supplies are limited. - Cost is $5.00 per person for those ages 4+ and includes park admission. Children ages 3 and under are free and do not need a reservation. - Strollers are not permitted unless you are on Boardwalk trail or in a parking area. - Please meet at the Loess Hills Lodge to pick up your spooky treasure map.

Nature's Recyclers | A Land Ethic Workshop

Join us & celebrated educator Ron Cisar for this month's session of "A Land Ethic Workshop." This program 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. $15/person. Ages 14+. Program participants will enjoy a full morning of instruction & learning, including

- The process of nature's annual decomposition
- The organisms responsible for breaking down organic matter in nature
- Continued nature journaling practice
- A reading & discussion of Aldo Leopold's essay "Odyssey" & "A Mighty Fortress"
- Identifying Trees in Winter
- November Nature Calendar (phenology)
- Each month will include a look at Mother Nature's Calendar to help familiarize you with natural changes you can look for throughout the year and will finish out in true Leopold tradition, with a song.

Autumn's End Hike with Dustin Clayton

As the last of the leaves fall and the summer plants dry to brown and gold, let's hike the hills and valleys while engaging in contemplative acknowledgment of the shifting of the season. We'll talk about the bounty of the year past and discuss techniques for keeping attuned to the living world throughout the winter months. Online pre-registration is required. 

Winter Survival Secrets | A Land Ethic Workshop

Join us & celebrated educator Ron Cisar for this month's session of "A Land Ethic Workshop." This program 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. $15/person. Ages 14+. Program participants will enjoy a full morning of instruction & learning, including

- An exploration of winter adaptations of area animals
- Tips & tricks for effective winter bird feeding
- A wrap-up discussion of our programming year
- A reading & discussion of Aldo Leopold's essay "Home Range"
- Jane Goodall’s Ten Trusts
- December Nature Calendar (phenology)
- Special musical selections celebrating the season
- Each month will include a look at Mother Nature's Calendar to help familiarize you with natural changes you can look for throughout the year and will finish out in true Leopold tradition, with a song.

Annual Winter Solstice Night Hike

Join an enthusiastic group of walkers and seasonal revelers as we hike out Fox Run Ridge to celebrate the longest night and the return of the Sun. At the cliff's edge, there will be a small celebratory ceremony to welcome in the new year. This event is free with a $5/vehicle entry fee or park membership and pre-registration is not required. Ages 16+. Led by Dustin Clayton.