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Pottawattamie Conservation Events

We've listed all of our upcoming public programs on this page!

Upcoming Events

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Hitchcock Hike for Health Club

Hitchcock Nature Center

Tuesday, March 19, 2024
8:00am to 10:30am
Free with $5/Vehicle Park Entry or Membership
50+

Join us for Hitchcock Hike for Health Club, designed for visitors ages 50+.

Event Information   Register Now

Waterfowl Identification | A Land Ethic Workshop

Hitchcock Nature Center

Saturday, March 23, 2024
9:00am to 12:00pm
$15 per person
14+

Explore nature and philosophy during this immersive program inspired by the great conservationist Aldo Leopold. Perfect for anyone who is looking to build their appreciation for the natural world.

Event Information   Register Now

Homeschool in the Hills AM | Wild Babies

Hitchcock Nature Center

Wednesday, April 10, 2024
10:00am to 11:30am
$5 per child
All Ages, Designed for Kindergarten through Early High School

Event Information   Register Now

Homeschool in the Hills PM | Wild Babies

Hitchcock Nature Center

Wednesday, April 10, 2024
1:00pm to 2:30pm
$5 per child
All Ages, Designed for Kindergarten through Early High School

Event Information   Register Now

Woodland Wildflowers | A Land Ethic Workshop

Hitchcock Nature Center

Saturday, April 13, 2024
9:00am to 12:00pm
$15 per person
14+

Explore nature and philosophy during this immersive program inspired by the great conservationist Aldo Leopold. Perfect for anyone who is looking to build their appreciation for the natural world.

Event Information   Register Now

Story Weaver, April

Hitchcock Nature Center

Thursday, April 18, 2024
6:00pm to 7:30pm
Free with Park Admission
16 and up

Story Weaver, Stories told in and about the natural world, in the oral tradition.

Event Information   Register Now

Free Day at the Parks!

All Pottawattamie Conservation Parks

Saturday, April 20, 2024
6:00am to 10:30pm
All Ages

Head to a Pottawattamie County park and explore the wonders of the great outdoors, no park entry fee required.

Event Information

Arrowhead Park Trail Run

Arrowhead Park

Saturday, April 20, 2024
8:00am
$24 through January; $30 through Feb/March; $35 through April; $40 on race day (cash only)
All Ages

Get moving this spring with a traditional 5k run, 10k, or complete as many laps as you can in a 4-hour Enduro! Proceeds support the Pottawattamie County Trails Association.

Event Information   Register Now

Dump Busters Park Cleanup

Hitchcock Nature Center

Saturday, April 20, 2024
9:00am to 1:00pm
Free, no park entry fee required
All Ages

Celebrate Earth Day with Pottawattamie Conservation and join our park cleanup event at Hitchcock Nature Center.

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Spring Medicinal & Edible Plant Walk | With Dustin Clayton

Hitchcock Nature Center

Saturday, April 27, 2024 to Saturday, April 27, 2024
2:00pm to 4:00pm
$10 per person
Ages 16+ please

Get to know spring flowers and herbs on a deeper level including which ones are edible, their medicinal properties, and interesting folklore.

Event Information   Register Now

Homeschool in the Hills AM | Mushrooms, Mosses, & Lichens, Oh My!

Hitchcock Nature Center

Wednesday, May 8, 2024
10:00am to 11:30am
$5 per child
All Ages, Designed for Kindergarten through Early High School

Event Information   Register Now

Homeschool in the Hills PM | Mushrooms, Mosses, & Lichens, Oh My!

Hitchcock Nature Center

Wednesday, May 8, 2024
1:00pm to 2:30pm
$5 per child
All Ages, Designed for Kindergarten through Early High School

Event Information   Register Now

Morels, Fungi & Lichen | A Land Ethic Workshop

Hitchcock Nature Center

Saturday, May 11, 2024
9:00am to 12:00pm
$15 per person
14+

Explore nature and philosophy during this immersive program inspired by the great conservationist Aldo Leopold. Perfect for anyone who is looking to build their appreciation for the natural world.

Event Information   Register Now

The Merry Month of May | With Dustin Clayton

Hitchcock Nature Center

Saturday, May 18, 2024
2:00pm to 4:00pm
$10 per person
Ages 16+ please

Look deeply at a variety of folklore and myth associated with this busy month as the forest fills up with life, color, and sound.

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Family Wild Edible Walk

Hitchcock Nature Center

Saturday, May 25, 2024
2:00pm to 4:00pm
$5.00 per person
All Ages

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Family Learn Archery

Narrows River Park

Friday, May 31, 2024
6:30pm to 8:00pm
$5
Ages 8+ (youth ages 8 and 9 must have accompanying registered adult)

We provide the guidance, bows, arrows, and targets, YOU provide the energy and enthusiasm!

Event Information   Register Now

Wild Ones Summer Camp | Arrowhead Park

Arrowhead Park

Tuesday, June 4, 2024 to Thursday, June 6, 2024
8:00am to 1:00pm
$75
Entering 1st and 2nd Grade

Venture into the wild during this immersive camp experience packed full of outdoor fun like fort building, water exploration, hiking, outdoor games, nature crafts, & more!

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Wild Ones Summer Camp | Botna Bend Park

Botna Bend Park

Tuesday, June 11, 2024 to Thursday, June 13, 2024
8:00am to 1:00pm
$75
Entering 1st and 2nd Grade

Venture into the wild during this immersive camp experience packed full of outdoor fun like fort building, water exploration, hiking, outdoor games, nature crafts, & more!

Event Information   Register Now

Wild Seekers Summer Camp | Hitchcock Nature Center

Hitchcock Nature Center

Tuesday, June 11, 2024 to Thursday, June 13, 2024
8:00am to 1:00pm
$75
Entering 3rd and 4th Grade

Campers will engage in epic adventures exploring Iowa’s wild side and unlock newfound talents through hands-on experiences like archery, primitive fire starting, orienteering, nature crafting, and more!

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Freshwater Ecosystems | A Land Ethic Workshop

Hitchcock Nature Center

Saturday, June 15, 2024
9:00am to 12:00pm
$15 per person
14+

Explore nature and philosophy during this immersive program inspired by the great conservationist Aldo Leopold. Perfect for anyone who is looking to build their appreciation for the natural world.

Event Information   Register Now

Midsummer Magic | With Dustin Clayton

Hitchcock Nature Center

Saturday, June 15, 2024
2:00pm to 4:30pm
$10 per person
Ages 16+ please

Take a Summer Solstice hike while learning about the traditions, folk practices, and herbal preparations associated with this time of year.

Event Information   Register Now

Wild Wanderers Summer Camp | Hitchcock Nature Center

Hitchcock Nature Center

Tuesday, June 18, 2024 to Thursday, June 20, 2024
8:00am to 1:00pm
$75
Entering 5th and 6th Grade

Embark on an unforgettable journey into the heart of the wild, learning about the untamed wonders of the great outdoors while honing their skills in archery, primitive fire building, orienteering, whittling, and more!

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Into the Wild Outdoor Adventure

Arrowhead Park

Tuesday, June 25, 2024 to Thursday, June 27, 2024
8:00am
$100
Entering 7th, 8th and 9th Grade

Older students are beckoned to answer the call of the wild and take their outdoor skills to the next level during this three-day outdoor adventure which includes a canoe trip on the West Nishnabotna River Water Trail (water level dependent) & an overnight campout at Botna Bend Park. 

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Wild Seekers Summer Camp | Botna Bend Park

Botna Bend Park

Tuesday, July 9, 2024 to Thursday, July 11, 2024
8:00am to 1:00pm
$75
Entering 3rd and 4th Grade

Campers will engage in epic adventures exploring Iowa’s wild side and unlock newfound talents through hands-on experiences like archery, primitive fire starting, orienteering, nature crafting, and more!

Event Information   Register Now

Wild Wanderers Summer Camp | Arrowhead Park

Arrowhead Park

Tuesday, July 9, 2024 to Thursday, July 11, 2024
8:00am to 1:00pm
$75
Entering 5th and 6th Grade

Embark on an unforgettable journey into the heart of the wild, learning about the untamed wonders of the great outdoors while honing their skills in archery, primitive fire building, orienteering, whittling, and more!

Event Information   Join Waitlist

Butterfly Basics | A Land Ethic Workshop

Hitchcock Nature Center

Saturday, July 13, 2024
9:00am to 12:00pm
$15 per person
14+

Explore nature and philosophy during this immersive program inspired by the great conservationist Aldo Leopold. Perfect for anyone who is looking to build their appreciation for the natural world.

Event Information   Register Now

Wild Seekers Summer Camp | Arrowhead Park

Arrowhead Park

Tuesday, July 16, 2024 to Thursday, July 18, 2024
8:00am to 1:00pm
$75
Entering 3rd and 4th Grade

Engage in epic adventures exploring Iowa’s wild side and unlock newfound talents through hands-on experiences like archery, primitive fire starting, orienteering, nature crafting, and more!

Event Information   Join Waitlist

Wild Ones Summer Camp | Hitchcock Nature Center

Hitchcock Nature Center

Tuesday, July 23, 2024 to Thursday, July 25, 2024
8:00am to 1:00pm
$75
Entering 1st and 2nd Grade

Venture into the wild during this immersive camp experience packed full of outdoor fun like fort building, water exploration, hiking, outdoor games, nature crafts, & more!

Event Information   Join Waitlist

Wild Wanderers Summer Camp | Botna Bend

Botna Bend Park

Tuesday, July 23, 2024 to Thursday, July 25, 2024
8:00am to 1:00pm
$75
Entering 5th and 6th Grade

Embark on an unforgettable journey into the heart of the wild, learning about the untamed wonders of the great outdoors while honing their skills in archery, primitive fire building, orienteering, whittling, and more!

Event Information   Register Now

Wildlings Camp | Morning (All Week Sign Up)

Hitchcock Nature Center

Monday, July 29, 2024 to Friday, August 2, 2024
9:00am to 11:00am
$50
Ages 3 to 5

Designed for children ages 3 to 5, these shortened morning camp sessions the week of July 29th will introduce your child to the great outdoors as they get to meet live animal friends all week long.

Event Information   Join Waitlist

A Chorus of Insects | A Land Ethic Workshop

Hitchcock Nature Center

Saturday, August 10, 2024
9:00am to 12:00pm
$15 per person
14+

Explore nature and philosophy during this immersive program inspired by the great conservationist Aldo Leopold. Perfect for anyone who is looking to build their appreciation for the natural world.

Event Information   Register Now

High Summer Prairie Medicine | With Dustin Clayton

Hitchcock Nature Center

Saturday, August 10, 2024
2:00pm to 4:00pm
$10 per person
Ages 16+ please

Join Dustin Clayton at Hitchcock Nature Center and witness how life is ripening as the growing season approaches its apogee.

Event Information   Register Now

Ornithology 101 | A Land Ethic Workshop

Hitchcock Nature Center

Saturday, September 14, 2024
9:00am to 12:00pm
$15 per person
14+

Explore nature and philosophy during this immersive program inspired by the great conservationist Aldo Leopold. Perfect for anyone who is looking to build their appreciation for the natural world.

Event Information   Register Now

Autumn Equinox | With Dustin Clayton

Hitchcock Nature Center

Saturday, September 21, 2024
2:00pm to 4:00pm
$10 per person
Ages 16+ please

Join Dustin Clayton for a contemplative woods walk and discussion about the turning of summer to fall. Together we'll discuss the harvest, mindfulness and awareness in nature and how we can give back to the natural world that provides us with so much.

Event Information   Register Now

Why Leaves Change Color | A Land Ethic Workshop

Hitchcock Nature Center

Saturday, October 19, 2024
9:00am to 12:00pm
$15 per person
14+

Explore nature and philosophy during this immersive program inspired by the great conservationist Aldo Leopold. Perfect for anyone who is looking to build their appreciation for the natural world.

Event Information   Register Now

5th Annual Halloween Witchy Woods Walk | With Dustin Clayton

Hitchcock Nature Center

Saturday, October 26, 2024
2:00pm to 4:30pm
$10.00
Ages 16+

Join naturalist and student of folklore Dustin Clayton for a hike through the Halloween forest.

Event Information   Register Now

Nature's Recyclers | A Land Ethic Workshop

Hitchcock Nature Center

Saturday, November 9, 2024
9:00am to 12:00pm
$15 per person
14+

Explore nature and philosophy during this immersive program inspired by the great conservationist Aldo Leopold. Perfect for anyone who is looking to build their appreciation for the natural world.

Event Information   Register Now

Autumn's End Hike | With Dustin Clayton

Hitchcock Nature Center

Saturday, November 16, 2024
2:00pm to 4:00pm
$10.00
Ages 16+

Join naturalist and student of folklore Dustin Clayton for an end-of-autumn herb walk. Following the hike, we will examine some methods of preserving herbs grown or collected over the summer and autumn.

Event Information   Register Now

Winter Survival Secrets | A Land Ethic Workshop

Hitchcock Nature Center

Saturday, December 14, 2024
9:00am to 12:00pm
$15 per person
14+

Explore nature and philosophy during this immersive program inspired by the great conservationist Aldo Leopold. Perfect for anyone who is looking to build their appreciation for the natural world.

Event Information   Register Now

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