Public Programs/Events

Want to learn more about owls, maybe even get the chance to see one up close? February is a great time for hearing owls during their courtship and egg-laying season. We start out in the Prairie Woods Nature Center in Oak Grove Park and present information about our Sioux County Owls and our visiting owls. After our presentation we hit the trails to try an call some Owls. It is important you dress warmly and bring a red flashlight- a normal flashlight covered with red cloth or cellophane works too.

** Sioux County Conservation Board’s NEW Barred Owl will make an appearance!**

Registration is appreciated. Registration opens approximately two months before event and closed at 11:00pm day before event. Please call our office 712-552-3057 for day of event registration.   Click here to register online.

Weather related cancellations will be aired on 93.9 FM.

Ron Oostra of Sioux Center will be sharing his woodworking skills in this workshop. You will get instructions and start to personalize your walking stick during Part 1 and have the opportunity to come back to finish your project on February 18th during Part 2.

You may choose to gather your own stick (must be dried for 2 weeks, no ash) or choose from sticks we have on hand. This lesson includes how to choose a walking stick , how to personalize it and how to treat it. All supplies will be provided and course is for all aged- 14 and under must have an adult to help.

Limited to 12 people. Please pre-register by clicking here.

Ron Oostra of Sioux Center will be sharing his woodworking skills in this workshop. You will get instructions and start to personalize your walking stick during Part 1 and have the opportunity to come back to finish your project on February 18th during Part 2.

You may choose to gather your own stick (must be dried for 2 weeks, no ash) or choose from sticks we have on hand. This lesson includes how to choose a walking stick , how to personalize it and how to treat it. All supplies will be provided and course is for all aged- 14 and under must have an adult to help.

Limited to 12 people.

Seniors, please join us for Senior Environmental Learning and Fellowship (SELF) each month, we promise you will enjoy your-SELF! Enjoy coffee, treats, fellowship and a short presentation. Our 2023 theme is “Ology… the study of….”.

This month we will focus on Herpetology- the study of reptiles and amphibians!

Morning session:10:00am
Afternoon sessions: 12:30pm & 2:30pm

SELF is held every third Tuesday of the month. Please Call to register, 712-552-3057 extension 2!

Attention animal and nature lovers ages 2 through 5! Our Wild Child Nature Series is a nature based experience that will get your child exploring, moving, playing, and using their senses. An adult is required to join the child(ren). No fee. Pre-registration required.

Monthly Topic: Groundhogs and Shadows
Morning session: 10:00am-11:00am
Afternoon session: 1:00pm-2:00pm

Click here to Register online. Registration will open approximately two months before date. **If it is the day of event, please call 712-552-3057 to check for availability and register.

Goat milk is excellent for your skin. Handcrafted, pure and local is even better. Now you can experience the process of making your own goat milk soap at the Prairie Woods Nature Center, with instruction from the folks at the Big Red Barn near Sheldon and shower vapors by our volunteer Lena Vollink! Take some mini bars home that day! We will also be serving wild game soup.

$35 to pay at the door, limited to 14 people. Register by clicking here.

Do you have a fossil, artifact, or bone that you would like identified? How about a rock you would like to show us? Bring it to the Prairie Woods Nature Center and we will attempt to help you. Evan DeGroot, a local hobbyist from Sioux Center will be available with his collection and resources to share with you.

Seniors, please join us for Senior Environmental Learning and Fellowship (SELF) each month, we promise you will enjoy your-SELF! Enjoy coffee, treats, fellowship and a short presentation. Our 2023 theme is “Ology… the study of….”.

This month we will focus on Ornithology- the study of birds!

Morning session:10:00am
Afternoon sessions: 12:30pm & 2:30pm

SELF is held every third Tuesday of the month. Please Call to register, 712-552-3057 extension 2!

Attention animal and nature lovers ages 2 through 5! Our Wild Child Nature Series is a nature based experience that will get your child exploring, moving, playing, and using their senses. An adult is required to join the child(ren). No fee. Pre-registration required.

Monthly Topic: Lunch for a Bear
Morning session: 10:00am-11:00am
Afternoon session: 1:00pm-2:00pm

Click here to Register online. Registration will open approximately two months before date. **If it is the day of event, please call 712-552-3057 to check for availability and register.

Those ages 11 and over are invited to join us for a hunter safety field day. Online registration required at http://events.gooutdoorsiowa.com along with online classwork completed prior to class at hunter-ed.com.

Morning Session 8:30-12:00pm

Afternoon Session 1:00-4:30pm

The Saturday class will cover fire-arm safety, hunting ethics, hunting laws and much more; final exam will be given at end of the class. Please dress for indoor and outdoor weather. Must attend full class.

Register will open approximately two months prior to event. Register by clicking here.

We love the great summer weather to get kids outside and connected to the great outdoors! Our EE team offers fantastic summer camps for ages 3-15. Each year we pick new topics so your child can come every year without repeating a camp! Camps are held in Oak Grove Park in the Prairie Woods Nature Center.

Click here for this years topics and dates!

General Times for Age Groups

• 3-4 Day Camp with an adult 9:00-11:00am OR 1:00-4:00pm
• 5-6 Summer Camp 9:00-noon OR 1:00pm-4:00pm – two consecutive days
• 7-9 Summer Camp 9:00-2:00pm – two consecutive days
• 10-12 Summer Camp 9:00-3:00pm – two consecutive days
• 13-15 Overnight Camp 9:30am-1:00pm next day

Registration will be open starting 8:00 on Monday April 3rd.

Please go online at mycountyparks.com to register your camper(s).

Seniors, please join us for Senior Environmental Learning and Fellowship (SELF) each month, we promise you will enjoy your-SELF! Enjoy coffee, treats, fellowship and a short presentation. Our 2023 theme is “Ology… the study of….”.

This month we will focus on Anthecology-the study of flowers and pollinators!

Morning session:10:00am
Afternoon sessions: 12:30pm & 2:30pm

SELF is held every third Tuesday of the month. Please Call to register, 712-552-3057 extension 2!

Attention animal and nature lovers ages 2 through 5! Our Wild Child Nature Series is a nature based experience that will get your child exploring, moving, playing, and using their senses. An adult is required to join the child(ren). No fee. Pre-registration required.

Monthly Topic: Wildlife is Everywhere
Morning session: 10:00am-11:00am
Afternoon session: 1:00pm-2:00pm

Click here to Register online. Registration will open approximately two months before date. **If it is the day of event, please call 712-552-3057 to check for availability and register.

This three session course will cover everything from equipment, casting techniques, fly tying, knots, matching flies to fish and other short presentations. Sessions are geared toward teens and adults and will include time to actively fly fish at the Oak Grove Pond. A valid Iowa fishing license is required for any on e 16 and older to actively fish. Limited space, bring a lunch and equipment if you have it. Attend one or all sessions.

Sign up online by clicking here.

Series Date: Thursday, April 27th 6-8pm; Saturday April 29 9:30am-2:30pm; Saturday May 6 from 9:30am-2:30pm.

This three session course will cover everything from equipment, casting techniques, fly tying, knots, matching flies to fish and other short presentations. Sessions are geared toward teens and adults and will include time to actively fly fish at the Oak Grove Pond. A valid Iowa fishing license is required for any on e 16 and older to actively fish. Limited space, bring a lunch and equipment if you have it. Attend one or all sessions.

Sign up online by clicking here.

Series Date: Thursday, April 27th 6-8pm; Saturday April 29 9:30am-2:30pm; Saturday May 6 from 9:30am-2:30pm.

This three session course will cover everything from equipment, casting techniques, fly tying, knots, matching flies to fish and other short presentations. Sessions are geared toward teens and adults and will include time to actively fly fish at the Oak Grove Pond. A valid Iowa fishing license is required for any on e 16 and older to actively fish. Limited space, bring a lunch and equipment if you have it. Attend one or all sessions.

Sign up online by clicking here.

Series Date: Thursday, April 27th 6-8pm; Saturday April 29 9:30am-2:30pm; Saturday May 6 from 9:30am-2:30pm.

Seniors, please join us for Senior Environmental Learning and Fellowship (SELF) each month, we promise you will enjoy your-SELF! Enjoy coffee, treats, fellowship and a short presentation. Our 2023 theme is “Ology… the study of….”.

This month we will focus on Phenology the study of seasonal phenomena!

Morning session:10:00am
Afternoon sessions: 12:30pm & 2:30pm

SELF is held every third Tuesday of the month. Please Call to register, 712-552-3057 extension 2!

Seniors, please join us for Senior Environmental Learning and Fellowship (SELF) each month, we promise you will enjoy your-SELF! Enjoy coffee, treats, fellowship and a short presentation. Our 2023 theme is “Ology… the study of….”.

This month we will focus on Paleontology the study of fossils!

Morning session:10:00am
Afternoon sessions: 12:30pm & 2:30pm

SELF is held every third Tuesday of the month. Please Call to register, 712-552-3057 extension 2!

Seniors, please join us for Senior Environmental Learning and Fellowship (SELF) each month, we promise you will enjoy your-SELF! Enjoy coffee, treats, fellowship and a short presentation. Our 2023 theme is “Ology… the study of….”.

This month we will focus on Snowflake Morphology the study of snow formation

Morning session:10:00am
Afternoon sessions: 12:30pm & 2:30pm

SELF is held every third Tuesday of the month. Please Call to register, 712-552-3057 extension 2!