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Burn Ban in Effect Countywide. Open Burning is Prohibited Until Further Notice.

Pottawattamie Conservation Events

Pottawattamie County Conservation is proud to offer a variety of affordable educational events for all ages year-round.

Click here to subscribe to our e-newsletter and stay in the loop on the newest events and offerings at your county parks.

Upcoming Events

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

Bison Fest at Botna Bend

Botna Bend Park

Saturday, November 2, 2024
11:00am to 2:00pm
Free with $3/vehicle park entry or membership
All Ages

In honor of National Bison Day, come visit our bison herd out at Botna Bend Park and learn more about this magnificent species and the conservation efforts that help protect them.

Event Information

HitchSOCKS

Hitchcock Nature Center

Saturday, November 9, 2024
9:00am
Free with $5/Vehicle Park Entry or Membership
All Ages

Help others in need by donating socks, underwear, and running shoes to the Open Door Mission and experience the park's late-fall beauty!

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

Mt. Crescent Ski Patrol Annual Fundraiser

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema La Vista

Sunday, November 10, 2024
2:00pm or 4:00pm
$20
21+

Join Mt. Crescent Ski Patrol for their annual fundraiser and viewing of this year's Warren Miller film, "75". All ticket proceeds benefit the all-volunteer patrol.

Event Information Register Now

Homeschool in the Hills AM | Loess Hills Geology

Hitchcock Nature Center

Wednesday, November 13, 2024
10:00am to 11:30am
$5 per child
All Ages, Designed for Kindergarten through Early High School

Event Information Join Waitlist

Homeschool in the Hills PM | Loess Hills Geology

Hitchcock Nature Center

Wednesday, November 13, 2024
1:00pm to 2:30pm
$5 per child
All Ages, Designed for Kindergarten through Early High School

Event Information Join Waitlist

Full Moon Hike

Hitchcock Nature Center

Friday, November 15, 2024
5:30pm to 7:00pm
Free with $5/vehicle park entry or membership
Ages 5+ due to dark, uneven terrain

Take in the sights and sounds of the park after dark and join us for an evening hike under the full moon.

Event Information Join Waitlist

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

Mt. Crescent Season Pass Pickup Party

Mt. Crescent Ski Area

Friday, November 22, 2024
5:00pm to 9:00pm
N/A
All Ages

Stop by the ski lodge to pick up your season pass and grab a bite and a brew before the hill is bustling with activity once the ski area is open for the season. Open to the public.

Event Information

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

Mt. Crescent Season Pass Pickup Party

Mt. Crescent Ski Area

Saturday, November 23, 2024
11:00am to 3:00pm
N/A
All Ages

Stop by the ski lodge to pick up your season pass and grab a bite and a brew before the hill is bustling with activity once the ski area is open for the season. Open to the public.

Event Information

Homeschool in the Hills AM | Art & Nature

Hitchcock Nature Center

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

Event Information Join Waitlist

Homeschool in the Hills PM | Art & Nature

Hitchcock Nature Center

Wednesday, December 11, 2024
1:00pm to 2:30pm
$5 per child
All Ages, Designed for Kindergarten through Early High School

Event Information Join Waitlist

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

New Year's Eve Sunset Hike

Hitchcock Nature Center

Tuesday, December 31, 2024
4:30pm to 5:30pm
$5; Free for ages 3 and under
All ages

Celebrate the new year under an open sky with a guided hike in the beautiful Loess Hills.

Event Information Register Now

Homeschool in the Hills AM | Understanding Weather

Hitchcock Nature Center

Wednesday, January 8, 2025
10:00am to 11:30am
$5 per child
Designed for Kindergarten through Early High School

Event Information Register Now

Homeschool in the Hills PM | Understanding Weather

Hitchcock Nature Center

Wednesday, January 8, 2025
1:00pm to 2:30pm
$5 per child
Designed for Kindergarten through Early High School

Event Information Register Now

Homeschool in the Hills AM | Bison & Elk

Botna Bend Park

Wednesday, February 12, 2025
10:00am to 11:30am
$5 per child
Designed for Kindergarten through Early High School

Event Information Register Now

Homeschool in the Hills PM | Bison & Elk

Botna Bend Park

Wednesday, February 12, 2025
1:00pm to 2:30pm
$5 per child
Designed for Kindergarten through Early High School

Event Information Register Now

Homeschool in the Hills AM | Cunning Corvids

Hitchcock Nature Center

Wednesday, March 12, 2025
10:00am to 11:30am
$5 per child
Designed for Kindergarten through Early High School

Event Information Register Now

Homeschool in the Hills PM | Cunning Corvids

Hitchcock Nature Center

Wednesday, March 12, 2025
1:00pm to 2:30pm
$5 per child
Designed for Kindergarten through Early High School

Event Information Register Now

Homeschool in the Hills AM | Wilderness Survival Skills

Hitchcock Nature Center

Wednesday, April 9, 2025
10:00am to 11:30am
$5 per child
Designed for Kindergarten through Early High School

Event Information Register Now

Homeschool in the Hills PM | Wilderness Survival Skills

Hitchcock Nature Center

Wednesday, April 9, 2025
1:00pm to 2:30pm
$5 per child
Designed for Kindergarten through Early High School

Event Information Register Now

Homeschool in the Hills AM | Botanical Battlegrounds: The Defense Strategies of Plants

Hitchcock Nature Center

Wednesday, May 14, 2025
10:00am to 11:30am
$5 per child
Designed for Kindergarten through Early High School

Event Information Register Now

Homeschool in the Hills PM | Botanical Battlegrounds: The Defense Strategies of Plants

Hitchcock Nature Center

Wednesday, May 14, 2025
1:00pm to 2:30pm
$5 per child
Designed for Kindergarten through Early High School

Event Information Register Now

227 S 6th St.
Council Bluffs, IA 51501
(712) 328-5600
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