Each year several northwest Iowa counties cooperate to celebrate the return of spring in Northwest Iowa. Over the years swan releases, bird hikes, canoe events, wildflower walks and more have engaged hundreds of Iowans in experiencing the wonders of birds and their habitats. In O’Brien County, our events will be held on Saturday, May 11. We would love to have you participate for a single event or for the full day! Begin your Saturday at 7:30 a.m. with a light
Easter is just around the corner, and the O’Brien County Conservation Board will again be holding an egg hunt with a technological twist. The event returns to the activity lineup due to the tremendous past success. Join the Naturalist on Wednesday, April 17 at 5:30 p.m. for a “Different Kind of Egg Hunt.” This year the event will be held at Mill Creek Park, near Paullina. Meet at the lodge. Participants will be given instructions on how to use a
How big is our solar system? How far away are the planets? The size of space is difficult to imagine. Join the O’Brien County Naturalist for a hike through the prairie to discover the distance to our near and far solar neighbors. We will be creating a walking model of the solar system starting at the center and heading off down the path. You may be surprised by how far apart our planets are spread! Join us for this event
Welcome the coming of spring with a search for the first wildflower on the prairie! This event has come to be a favorite of many people. Whether this is a new event for you or whether you have enjoyed it in the past, the search for the pasque flower is an annual rite of passage of spring. The O’Brien County Naturalist will lead the Pasque Flower Hike on Saturday, April 6 at 2:00 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon walk along the
Explore Science: Earth & Space is the new exhibit at the Prairie Heritage Center. This exhibit is part of a nationwide celebration of educational programs designed to engage audiences in the awe-inspiring fields of Earth and space science. It is an opportunity to connect with current NASA science research and explore Earth and science phenomena. The temporary exhibit is located in the lower level of the Prairie Heritage Center. It includes hands-on activities, interactive displays and informative materials. There
It is hard to believe that summer will soon be here! The behind the scenes work as begun in our office and maintenance shop. Our staff are getting ready to greet campers and welcome them to the O’Brien County Park system. Remember that cabin reservations can be made one calendar year in advance. Weekends tend to fill up quickly. Plan ahead to book your stay with us. Camping coupon books are available from the park rangers and also from the
Youths ages 11 through 15 can experience an outdoor adventure sponsored by the O’Brien County Conservation Board and the O’Brien County Pheasants Forever at the Crosbie Wildlife and Nature Youth Center and Dog Creek Park. Monday, July 29 will include learning activities about hunting, trapping, bird identification, and dog training. The events will extend into the evening with lessons on Dutch Oven cooking, water recreation, night tracking and astronomy. Youth will stay overnight in the grain bin cabins at Dog
Spring weather is here! The longer days and warmer temperatures put people in the mood to start an exercise routine. This is a great time to look ahead for fun activities to take part in throughout the year. In August, the O’Brien County Conservation Board will be hosting a Bison Stampede Trail Run. Mark your calendar for this 5K event on Saturday, August 10. Walk or run through the beautiful prairie! Bison Stampede 5K Trail Run Saturday, August 10, 2019
The “Towering Trees” program scheduled to take place on March 14 at the Sanborn library has been rescheduled for Thursday, March 21 at 2:00 p.m. The Sutherland library “Towering Trees” program has been moved to Thursday, March 28 at 4:00 p.m.
Take a night hike to look at spring time constellations. Hear about some of the heroes of the sky. This event will be held at the Prairie Heritage Center on March 26 at 8:00 p.m.