ALERT: Full hookup sites now available at Arrowhead Park, Botna Bend Park, and Hitchcock Nature Center for $30 per night.
ALERT: Closure of L-55 Bridge over I-80 (exit 23) to Arrowhead Park scheduled for July 1st. May be closed through early August.

Pottawattamie Conservation Events

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

Upcoming Events

View Calendar

July Little Tike Hike | Botna Bend Park

Botna Bend Park

Saturday, July 6, 2024 to Sunday, July 28, 2024
6:30am to 10:30pm
Free with $3/Vehicle Park Entry or Membership
All Ages, Designed for Ages 3-5

Families with young learners are invited to hit the trails for a self-guided hike full of fun nature learning at Botna Bend Park!

Event Information

Painting in the Prairie

Hitchcock Nature Center

Saturday, July 27, 2024
9:00am to 11:00am
$10 per person
12+

Learn about native prairie flowers found in the Loess Hills and capture the beauty around you with watercolors.

Event Information

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

Wildlings Camp | Afternoon (All Week Sign Up)

Hitchcock Nature Center

Monday, July 29, 2024 to Friday, August 2, 2024
1:00pm to 3:00pm
$50
Ages 3 to 5

Designed for children ages 3 to 5, these shortened afternoon 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

August Little Tike Hike | Hitchcock Nature Center

Hitchcock Nature Center

Saturday, August 3, 2024 to Sunday, August 11, 2024
6:00am to 10:00pm
Free with $5/Vehicle Park Entry or Membership
All Ages, Designed for Ages 3-5

Families with young learners are invited to hit the trails for a self-guided hike full of fun nature learning at Hitchcock Nature Center!

Event Information

August Little Tike Hike | Botna Bend Park

Botna Bend Park

Saturday, August 3, 2024 to Sunday, August 25, 2024
6:30am to 10:30pm
Free with $3/Vehicle Park Entry or Membership
All Ages, Designed for Ages 3-5

Families with young learners are invited to hit the trails for a self-guided hike full of fun nature learning at Botna Bend Park!

Event Information

Hitchcock Hike for Health Club

Hitchcock Nature Center

Tuesday, August 6, 2024
9:00am to 11:00am
Free with $5/Vehicle Park Entry or Membership
16+

If you are looking to get in tune with your body, work up a sweat, and engage with the outdoors, then this is the club for you (especially if you have a big hike or camping trip coming up!).

Event Information   Register Now

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

Perseids Night Sky Event

Hitchcock Nature Center

Saturday, August 10, 2024
8:00pm
Free with $5/Vehicle Park Entry or Membership
All Ages

Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, binoculars, and telescopes to view nature's fireworks and other wonders in the night sky during the annual Perseids Meteor Shower.

Event Information

Story Weaver | August

Hitchcock Nature Center

Thursday, August 15, 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

Hitchcock Hike for Health Club

Hitchcock Nature Center

Tuesday, August 20, 2024
9:00am to 11:00am
Free with $5/Vehicle Park Entry or Membership
16+

If you are looking to get in tune with your body, work up a sweat, and engage with the outdoors, then this is the club for you (especially if you have a big hike or camping trip coming up!).

Event Information   Register Now

Insect Club

Hitchcock Nature Center

Thursday, August 22, 2024
6:30pm
Free with $5/Vehicle Park Entry
14+

Come join in the fun! Everyone is welcome.

Event Information

September Little Tike Hike | Hitchcock Nature Center

Hitchcock Nature Center

Saturday, September 7, 2024 to Sunday, September 15, 2024
6:00am to 10:00pm
Free with $5/Vehicle Park Entry or Membership
All Ages, Designed for Ages 3-5

Families with young learners are invited to hit the trails for a self-guided hike full of fun nature learning at Hitchcock Nature Center!

Event Information

September Little Tike Hike | Botna Bend Park

Botna Bend Park

Saturday, September 7, 2024 to Sunday, September 29, 2024
6:30am to 10:30pm
Free with $3/Vehicle Park Entry or Membership
All Ages, Designed for Ages 3-5

Families with young learners are invited to hit the trails for a self-guided hike full of fun nature learning at Botna Bend Park!

Event Information

Go Wild For Conservation 21st Annual Fundraiser

The Landing

Thursday, September 12, 2024
5:30pm to 8:30pm
$65.00
21 and over

Support public land and recreation opportunities in Pottawattamie County during the 21st Annual Go Wild For Conservation fundraiser and auction.

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

Insect Club

Hitchcock Nature Center

Thursday, September 26, 2024
6:30pm
Free with $5/Vehicle Park Entry
14+

Come join in the fun! Everyone is welcome.

Event Information

October Little Tike Hike | Hitchcock Nature Center

Hitchcock Nature Center

Saturday, October 5, 2024 to Sunday, October 13, 2024
6:00am to 10:00pm
Free with $5/Vehicle Park Entry or Membership
All Ages, Designed for Ages 3-5

Families with young learners are invited to hit the trails for a self-guided hike full of fun nature learning at Hitchcock Nature Center!

Event Information

October Little Tike Hike | Botna Bend Park

Botna Bend Park

Saturday, October 5, 2024 to Sunday, October 27, 2024
6:30am to 10:30pm
Free with $3/Vehicle Park Entry or Membership
All Ages, Designed for Ages 3-5

Families with young learners are invited to hit the trails for a self-guided hike full of fun nature learning at Botna Bend Park!

Event Information

Meander & Gander | A Mindfulness in Nature Program with Lindsay Knieper

Hitchcock Nature Center

Saturday, October 5, 2024
9:00am to 11:00am
$15 per person
16+

Meander along the trails of the lovely Loess Hills as we observe, reflect, and practice spaciousness. Autumn program themes include: Gratitude and Letting Go

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

Story Weaver | October

Hitchcock Nature Center

Thursday, October 24, 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

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

November Little Tike Hike | Hitchcock Nature Center

Hitchcock Nature Center

Saturday, November 2, 2024 to Sunday, November 10, 2024
6:00am to 10:00pm
Free with $5/Vehicle Park Entry or Membership
All Ages, Designed for Ages 3-5

Families with young learners are invited to hit the trails for a self-guided hike full of fun nature learning at Hitchcock Nature Center!

Event Information

November Little Tike Hike | Botna Bend Park

Botna Bend Park

Saturday, November 2, 2024 to Sunday, November 24, 2024
6:30am to 10:30pm
Free with $3/Vehicle Park Entry or Membership
All Ages, Designed for Ages 3-5

Families with young learners are invited to hit the trails for a self-guided hike full of fun nature learning at Botna Bend Park!

Event Information

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

Story Weaver | November

Hitchcock Nature Center

Friday, November 22, 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

Story Weaver | December

Hitchcock Nature Center

Thursday, December 12, 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

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

Stay connected with Pottawattamie Conservation.

Subscribe to our e-Newsletter