Public Programs/Events

Expert Birder Kelly McKay will be back as apart of our “Building a Better Birder Workshop Series”. This two day series will focus on Waterbirds and Shorebirds! Join us for one or all four!

July 30 @ 6:30-8:30- Bird Presentation on Introduction to Waterbirds of Iowa at the Prairie Woods Nature Center

July 31 @ 7:00-9:00am- Bird Hike at the Big Sioux Recreation Area (emphasis on waterbirds)

July 31 @ 9:30-11:30- Bird Presentation on Introduction to Shorebirds of Iowa at the Prairie Woods Nature Center

July 31 @ 1:00-3:00- Bird Hike at the Big Sioux Recreation Area (emphasis on shorebirds)

Please register online here. Registration will close at 11:59pm night before. Please call our office for day of reservation- or just show up!

The ‘Building a Better Birder Workshops’ are a series of local community scientist programs designed to create better bird identification skills and to promote local participation with community science projects. Funding for this workshop was provided by the Resource Enhancement Protection-Conservation Education Program (REAP-CEP).

Cookbook Number 2 (Different than 2019’s course)

Take a bite on the wild side! Join us for a hands-on cooking experience with some of the edible plants found in nature! From yummy yarrow omelet to savory stinging nettle hash browns, explore how these foods allow you to be nourished through nature!

Grab a cooking partner and register online today at mycountyparks.org. Due to the nature of the program, the first 16 adults who register will be able to participate. We will prepare a variety of appetizers, allowing you to sample a little of each!

The program will be held from 6:30-8:00 PM at the Prairie Woods Nature Center. Small registration fee to help cover the cost of food sample supplies.

Registration opens approximately two months before event and ends at 11:00 the day before event. Click here to register.

Looking for a fun family night before you head back to school? Ringneck Rendezvous is your event! This event is held at the Rock Valley Gun club just West out of Rock Valley. Those of 5-8 years must have an adult present. All adults welcome. Doors open at 4:00 pm and participants are invited to play games and participate in activities for booth prizes until 6:30 pm. We try to add new booths each year but past booths have featured: Outdoor Minute to Win It games, BB guns, trap shooting(ages 12 and over), archery, wrist rockets, ring toss, seed balls, dog training, scavenger hunt and several more! Following the closing of the booths, booth prizes will be drawn for. After our evening program we draw for door prizes that have been sponsored by local businesses.

Please preregister for this event, registration will open approximately two months prior to event. The cost of this event is $10 to cover supper meal. This event would not be possible without our partnership with Sioux Prairie Pheasant Forever Chapter, Rock Valley Gun Club, Iowa DNR, and many local business and individual sponsors. Walk-ins welcome until event is full.

Weather related cancellations will be aired on 93.9 FM.

Registration is available by clicking here. (open approximately two months prior to event)

All ages 11 and over are invited to join us for our annual Hunter Safety Education Course, August 10, at the Prairie Woods Nature Center from 9am-7pm. Must register at www.gooutdoorsiowa.com. During registration you will receive a link with the review questions to complete and bring to class. Class will cover firearm safety, hunting ethics, first aid, hunting laws, and more. We will also shoot archery, shotgun and rifle. Students need a sack lunch and snacks, supper provided.

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

Morning session: 9:30-10:30am
Afternoon session: 2:00-3:00pm

The Prairie Woods Nature Center will host Senior Environmental Learning and Fellowship (SELF) ever third Tuesday of the month at 9:30am and 2:00pm. Whether you are new to SELF or a committed participant, we encourage you to give it a try. We promise you will enjoy your-SELF! The theme for 2021 will be all “By Design”. Each month we will take the time to explore how the specific design of our chosen topic is essential to its owner.

This month we will focus on Wings & Feathers!

Pre-registration is appreciated. Call or register online through mycountyparks.  Click here to Register,   **If it is the day of event, online registration will be blocked, please call 712-552-3057 to check for availability.

Attention all ladies! Do you love to try new things outdoors? Do you love it even more with like-minded women? Then you should join us for our Ladies Nature Escape! Imagine a slow paced stroll through the woodland with Naturalist Guides interpreting your surroundings. Spots are limited!

Open to ages 14 and up. Ages 14-16 must come with an adult. Cost is $10 per person, payable at the door. In the case of bad weather, we will reschedule.

Register opens approximately two months before event. Online registration close at 11:59pm day before event- please call 712-552-3057 for day of. Click here to register.

Today is the day registration opens for our Camper Registration Trick or Treat event (October 9) at Oak Grove!!

Call 712/552-1047 starting at 8am to claim a spot. Each camper can register themselves and one other camper.

Campers will receive Friday and Saturday night free camping in exchange for enough candy/goodies for 800 children per campsite.

Morning session: 9:30-10:30am
Afternoon session: 2:00-3:00pm

The Prairie Woods Nature Center will host Senior Environmental Learning and Fellowship (SELF) ever third Tuesday of the month at 9:30am and 2:00pm. Whether you are new to SELF or a committed participant, we encourage you to give it a try. We promise you will enjoy your-SELF! The theme for 2021 will be all “By Design”. Each month we will take the time to explore how the specific design of our chosen topic is essential to its owner.

This month we will focus on Seeds!

Pre-registration is appreciated. Call or register online through mycountyparks.  Click here to Register,   **If it is the day of event, online registration will be blocked, please call 712-552-3057 to check for availability.