Sioux County Conservation Board offers several public programs throughout the year, many times partnering with other local organizations. Most public programs are free of charge though some do require a small fee. Our public programs are designed to encourage people to get outside and provide opportunities to try new skills. Pre-registration is sometimes required so please pay close attention to the event you wish to attend. Pre-registration for events is found on mycountyparks.org.
Interested in helping out with a public program? Please see our Volunteer page for information on how you can get involved.
2019 Event List (Scroll below for details)
| Ice Fishing Clinic | January 23 |
| Owl Prowl | February 8 |
| Hunter Education Field Day- Sandy Hollow | March 30 |
| Outdoor Skills Day | June 6 |
| Sandy Hollow Fishing Clinic | June 8 |
| Do You Want to Be an Insect? | June 22 |
| Rock Valley Fishing Clinic | July 6 |
| Boyden Fishing Clinic | TBD |
| Ringneck Rendezvous | August 3 |
| Hunter Education Safety Class- Oak Grove | August 13 |
| Women in the Outdoors | September 14 |
| Dutch Oven Gathering | September 21 |
| Trick or Treat Hike | October 12 |
| Youth Pheasant Hunt | October 19 |
Upcoming Events:
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Prairie Woods Nature Center Grand Opening Saturday, January 11, 2020 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm Oak Grove, Hawarden Iowa Mark your calendars for the Prairie Woods Nature Center Grand Opening! Bring your families out to explore! The building has several interactive exhibits, live animals and fantastic views for all ages to enjoy. Grand Opening hours will be from 1-5pm on Saturday, January 11.
Prairie Woods Nature Center’s Winter Hours (Nov-Mar) Monday: Closed Tuesday: 9am-4pm Wednesday: 9am-4pm Thursday: 1pm-4pm Friday: 9am-4pm Saturday: 9am-1pm Sunday: Closed Prairie Woods Nature Center’s Summer Hours (Apr-Oct) Monday: Closed Tuesday: 9am-4pm Wednesday: 9am-4pm Thursday: 1pm-7pm Friday: 9am-4pm Saturday: 9am-4pm Sunday: 1pm-4pm
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Ice Fishing Clinic Saturday, January 18, 2020 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Big Sioux Recreation Area, Hawarden IA Whether you love ice fishing or just want to try it, come over to SCCB Big Sioux Recreation Area just West of Hawarden off 10th Street. This event starts at 10 am and goes until noon. Bring your own lunch and bucket to sit on and we will provide the rest! We will pre drill the holes, provide bait, poles, discuss the types of fish you may catch and equipment used. No cost for the program as the park entry fee is waived for the program. Snowshoes are also available depending on snow depth. Participants that are ages 16 and over wishing to fish must have a valid Iowa fishing license. Registration is required and will open approximately two months prior to event. Weather related cancellations will be aired on 93.9 FM. Registration by going to mycountyparks.com. |
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Senior Environmental Learning and Fellowship (SELF) Tuesday, January 21, 2020 9:30 am - 10:30 am Prairie Woods Nature Center, Hawarden IA Seniors! Looking for a great place to gather with friends? The Prairie Woods Nature Center will host Senior Environmental Learning and Fellowship, SELF, ever third Tuesday of the month. Coffee, treats and fellowship will follow a short presentation. Each month we will explore a different area of the natural world. Join us every third Tuesday of the month, 9:30-10:30 and we promise you will enjoy your-SELF! Each month of 2019 we will focus on a different exhibit in the Prairie Woods Nature Center! January Topic: How to achieve “Seeing the Unseen”
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Owl Prowl Friday, February 7, 2020 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Prairie Woods Nature Center, Hawarden IA Want to learn more about owls, maybe even get the chance to see one up close? This public program is from 6-8 pm. 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 divide into groups based on distance of walk and call Barred, Great Horned and Screech Owls. It is important you dress warmly and bring a red flashlight- a normal flashlight covered with red cloth or cellophane works too. Registration is required on mycountyparks.com and will open approximately two months prior to event. Weather related cancellations will be aired on 93.9 FM. |
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Backyard Bird Bonanza Saturday, February 15, 2020 9:30 am - 11:30 am Prairie Woods Nature Center, Hawarden IA This is a free, fun, and easy event that engages bird watchers of all ages in making yummy treats for the birds to enjoy. We will make suet, string garland, and other bird friendly activities to celebrate our feathered friends. This is also the weekend for the Great Backyard Bird Count. By counting birds, we can help to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations and will report our sightings online at birdcount.org. We will take to the trails, weather permitting. Snowshoes will be available, as well as binoculars. Hot cocoa will be served. |
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Senior Environmental Learning and Fellowship (SELF) Tuesday, February 18, 2020 9:30 am - 10:30 am Prairie Woods Nature Center, Hawarden IA Seniors! Looking for a great place to gather with friends? The Prairie Woods Nature Center will host Senior Environmental Learning and Fellowship, SELF, ever third Tuesday of the month. Coffee, treats and fellowship will follow a short presentation. Each month we will explore a different area of the natural world. Join us every third Tuesday of the month, 9:30-10:30 and we promise you will enjoy your-SELF! Each month of 2019 we will focus on a different exhibit in the Prairie Woods Nature Center! February Topic: Geology, the story in the rocks.
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