Friends of Hartman Reserve

02/19/2026

Friends of Hartman Reserve is sponsoring Memory Cafe!
Memory Cafe is a welcoming, relaxed gathering for individuals living with memory loss and their caregivers to connect, socialize, and enjoy time together at Hartman Reserve Nature Center. The Cafe meets on the first Wednesday of each month from March through December, 10:00–11:00 a.m. Hartman staff lead a program on a featured topic such as maple syrup, fish, animals, flowers, or apple cider making, often with a hands-on activity and a light snack. To learn more or RSVP, call 319-230-1750 and leave a message, or email [email protected].

02/16/2026

One of the best parts of supporting Hartman Reserve is seeing your generosity at work. During the last quarter of 2025, the Friends funded books and pocket guides, a pebble harp, a kids accubow, a sensory swing pod, facility signage, owl pellets, and more. These resources help staff create engaging, hands-on learning experiences for visitors of all ages. Thank you for making these additions possible!

02/14/2026

Share some love and join the Friends of Hartman Reserve! Check out our website to see how you can help us make a difference at Hartman Reserve!

​ The generous donations to Friends of Hartman Reserve and the Friends of Hartman Reserve Endowment through the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa allow the Friends of Hartman Reserve to fund...

02/13/2026

Our winter newsletter is out! If you didn't receive it through email, sign up now! you can also check out previous news through the link.

We are very grateful for your current and past support of the Friends of Hartman Reserve! To help you stay informed about Friends activities and impact (and save trees), we created an email...

02/12/2026

The sap is flowing for fresh maple syrup! Get your tickets now so we can see you at this delicious event!

🍁 Don't get yourself in a sticky situation... secure your Maple Syrup Festival tickets today!

With timeslots open on Friday March 6th through Sunday March 8th, attendees will enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes topped with maple syrup as well as sausage and Sidecar coffee.

Please note: You can only be seated during the timeslot you purchase tickets for. Please pay attention to the date and time while registering!

Find more info and register at the link below 👇
https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Black-Hawk/Events

01/18/2026

We have snow! Head over to Hartman Reserve Nature Center on Monday for this event!

❄ The chance of snow may be low, but the chance of fun is high!

Join us on Monday, January 19th, to learn all about snow at our Snowflake Social! This is a free, drop-in activity with self-led hands-on learning at various stations. It is sure to be a fun time for the whole family!

Find more information below 👇
https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Black-Hawk/Park/Hartman-Reserve-Nature-Center/Events/28243/Snowflake-Social

01/18/2026

🍁 It's almost here...

Save the date for the 40th Annual Maple Syrup Festival, held at Hartman Reserve Nature Center on March 6th, 7th, and 8th! Tickets will go on sale Sunday, February 1st.

Stay tuned for more details!

12/21/2025

❄ It's Winter Solstice!

Celebrate the shortest day of the year with a First Day Hike at Hartman Reserve! Discover why this spot is a winter must-visit in this article: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nature/iowa/hartman-reserve-first-day-hike-ia?fbclid=IwY2xjawOyrkdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFtbXJjdHhVRnYxcnN1OERTc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHsIWvz2wb712JSXFGIfrxmF1MQgVyPqSGOrkAVU6UbFGzE-ST6NIr9Yf7_kP_aem_H_T4zt8giRGEB6Wk0l_8_A

Bundle up, grab your loved ones, and head out to Hartman Reserve to enjoy the crisp winter air, serene trails, and the magic of the season. See you on the trails!

12/17/2025

12/14/2025

Another wonderful night at Hartman Reserve’s Woodland Wonderland. The smiles and joy on the kids’ faces, moms and dads, grandparents, and friends were enjoying the activities around the center. CF High school singers filled the one room with beautiful music! ( I didn’t get a picture of them!). I heard Santa was in the house too! The goats from Hickory Hills Park were loving the attention and all the extra treats from the adoring humans ( they’re probably not used to so many humans this close).

There were lights and decorations around the outside; with it being so cold, I am not sure how many walked around to see all the lights and decorations.

The cookies and hot chocolate hit the spot! We had lots of sprinkles, marshmallows, abd whipped cream to make the hot chocolate even better!

Thanks to the Hartman Staff ( and county conservation staff) for all they did to make the two nights special for the families to enjoy a winter night at the warm and beautiful Hartman Reserve!

The Friends Board loves the chance to support this event with the cookies and hot chocolate! Thanks to all who helped!

See you next year at another Woodland Wonderland!

12/13/2025

Though there may be a blustery -10 degree windchill in town, I’m toasty warm skiing in the quiet Hartman lowland woods. Hartman Reserve is a wonderful place every season of the year. 🥰

12/13/2025

School of the Wild is one of the many ways we support educational programs at Hartman Reserve Nature Center. Your donations make a difference! https://www.friendsofhartman.org/become-a-friend.html