Dickinson County Nature Center

10/24/2026

Thank you to all the families who joined us for this year’s Howlin’ Halloween Hike - Spooky Sidekicks!

Families visited several stops along the trail to learn more about animals that may seem spooky like toads, bats, owls, crows, and snakes!

They also explored the nature center to meet Olive - the western hognose snake, play in oobleck slime, play frog toss, make a beaded snake, and enjoyed an outdoor scavenger hunt!

Thank you to the all amazing volunteers who did a wonderful job of acting and making it a night to remember!

10/16/2026

🦌Do you have any deer antler sheds lying around collecting dust?

You can put them to good use!

The Dickinson County Nature Center is collecting deer antler sheds to use in our upcoming educational programs! These antlers will provide fun hands-on opportunities in shed hunting for participants and to learn more about white-tailed deer.

If you have any sheds you’d like to donate, please drop them off at the Nature Center during regular business hours, Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Thank you for helping create fun educational opportunities!

10/15/2026

🚨IT’S HAPPENING!!! 🚨
We are excited to announce that the Andrea Waitt Carlton Family Foundation has awarded a grant of $112,000 toward the Nature Playscape project! The grant fulfills the fundraising efforts for the project, and initiates the construction bidding process.

We would like to extend our appreciation to the AWC Family Foundation and to everyone who has stood behind the vision! This is YOUR Nature Playscape, and we cannot wait for you to enjoy it!

What’s next?
The construction bidding process will begin. Our goal is to begin construction in Spring 2027, just in time for you to enjoy the space all summer long!

Share with your friends and comment what you’re looking forward to the most!

Learn more about the Nature Playscape project at https://dickinsoncountyconservationboard.com/nature-playscape/

10/07/2026

Upcoming October events at the Nature Center! Interested in a program but it's full? Contact us to be added to the waitlist or get a head start on next month's programming by registering early!

Find our full event list here: https://dickinsoncountyconservationboard.com/event-registration/ #!event-list

09/22/2026

We are deeply grateful to Bank Midwest for their generous donation of $20,000 towards the Nature Playscape fundraising effort!

This project truly belongs to the community, and it is only possible because of the generosity and commitment of organizations, businesses, and individuals who believe in its future.

We are incredibly excited to be so close to reaching our goal and deeply grateful to everyone helping bring this community project to life!

Thank you, Bank Midwest, for investing in this project and our community! 💚

09/21/2026

Your feedback is needed to help form a Little Sioux River Water Trail Plan! Please take some time to give your responses!

❗NOTICE❗

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources along with the county conservation boards of Dickinson, Clay, O’Brien, Cherokee, Buena Vista, Ida and Woodbury counties are working together to develop the Little Sioux River Water Trail Plan, an actionable roadmap for improving recreation, public access, safety and habitat while strengthening connections between the river and the communities along its banks.

As part of the planning process, the public is invited to complete a 10-minute community survey about how they use and experience the Little Sioux River. Respondents are asked what may limit their use and what they believe should be improved and prioritized in the future.

People who live, work and recreate along the Little Sioux River know it best. Community members are encouraged to share their experiences and priorities by completing the Little Sioux River Water Trail Plan survey.

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Take the survey now by clicking on the link below!

https://surveys.parkbeat.com/surveys/iowa-dnr/little-sioux-2026/6585GBS43S

Learn more about the planning process at:

https://www.inkpadutacanoetrail.org/planning-1

Sign up for our newsletter to receive updates on the planning process:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScII-0zvL2KDJ--21TaiT7IIpEVszXXBeeXmC3BWDqC0XJ4Qg/viewform

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Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center , Dickinson County Nature Center , Clay County Conservation Board , Buena Vista County Conservation , O'Brien County Conservation Board/ Prairie Heritage Center , Cherokee Parks and Recreation , Spencer Iowa Park & Rec , Cherokee County Conservation Board , Little Sioux Watershed Conservation Partnership , Little Sioux Park

09/18/2026

If you're at the Clay County Fair, stop by the log cabin and gazebo throughout the day for free environmental education programs! Miss Danika will be there this morning with our live snakes!

09/16/2026

♥🖤♥ Incredible work done at the Nature Center from Spirit Lake students for the festival last Friday! Keep up the great work this year!

09/13/2026

Unfortunately due to the chance of thunderstorms tomorrow, Birding on the Green is canceled.