2023 Annual Halloween Hike
Annett Nature Center 15565 118th Avenue, Indianola, IA, United StatesHead on out to the Annett Nature Center for our Iowa Invaders Halloween Hike. This non-scary hike is educational and fun for the whole family.
Head on out to the Annett Nature Center for our Iowa Invaders Halloween Hike. This non-scary hike is educational and fun for the whole family.
Friends of Warren County Conservation will be hosting a bi-monthly book club. Simply read the suggested book and join us at the Middleswart Lodge for discussion followed by an extended activity related to the book. There is no charge for this program, but participants will need to provide their own copy of the book. Please […]
Spend an evening with a Warren County Conservation Naturalist and create your very own holiday themed terrariums! We will provide the materials and instruction for kids to make and take home a terrarium with a plant and decor. Children 7 and younger will need an adult to help them create their terrariums and follow the […]
Warren County Conservation Board is hosting our annual local nature and craft related vendor fair. We want to support local merchants in our beautiful park setting. Vendors will have all sorts of items to get you ready for the upcoming holiday season. *Vendor Fees will support a nature playscape at the Annett Nature Center. Each […]
Tis the season to bust out your favorite ugly sweater and candy cane stripes!
Come hike the trails at the Middleswart Lodge to find the candy canes hidden along the trail.
Brrr! What do Iowa mammals do when it gets so cold outside? Lets learn about some of Iowa's special mammals, the adaptations they have that help them survive the coldest Iowa nights, and which mammals don't particularly love the chilly evenings! Get a chance to feel some of the furs and bring your mammal questions! […]
This Month: January's Homeschool Wednesday (HW) theme is: Winter Survival. This session will be for grades 4th and up. Participants will work together to learn shelter building, fire starting, and what to do in a winter emergency! There is a maximum capacity of 20 participants for this class. Please register below! This class will hike out […]
Come along with a naturalist on a hike and explore the fascinating realm of tracks and signs. Unravel the secrets of who passed by, their destination, and whether they were sprinting or strolling. This program will equip you with the knowledge to answer all these curious questions.
Slither out of the house and shed off those winter blues for a chance to learn about the Snakes of Iowa! Have you met Boo, our fox snake Animal Ambassador? Join us for a brief informational program right at 10:30am, followed by some serpentine demonstrations and fun. Get up close and personal with a slithery […]
Friends of Warren County Conservation will be hosting a bi-monthly book club. Simply read the suggested book and join us at the Middleswart Lodge for a book discussion followed by an extended activity related each months book choice. There is no charge for this program, but participants will need to provide their own copy of […]
Embark on a guided hike under the enchanting glow of the full moon, immersing yourself in the beauty of nature. This program is designed to provide a memorable and educational outdoor experience, blending tranquility, adventure, and history! As the sun sinks further behind the horizon, a naturalist will lead you through carefully chosen trails, ensuring […]
This Month: February's HW theme is: Snow. There will be 3 classes for this lesson. Registrations will open 1 month prior to the date at 10am. ***Due to an all staff training, we had to adjust some of the times of these classes.** 9-10am: Snow Lesson - Registration closed. FULL 1st Grade and under, with […]
Come learn all about what it means to be a marsupial! Marsupial Madness is an interactive and educational program designed to introduce participants to the fascinating world of marsupials, with a special focus on opossums, North America's only marsupial! The program will begin with a brief lesson that covers essential marsupial facts, including how marsupials […]
Take advantage of our extended hours on the 3rd Thursday of each month to visit the Annett Nature Center! There may be new things to check out, an activity, or a chance to visit after school and work that might be harder during our regular office hours!
Come meet a WCCB naturalist and enhance your knowledge about the Owls of Iowa. Gain the skill to recognize different owl vocalizations and take a stroll along the trail to catch a glimpse of the owls living in the park. February offers an excellent opportunity to engage with owls! Remember to dress warmly for the […]
Join us for a virtual program with the International Wolf Center for a program all about wolves! Bring your questions and your curiosity for this 45 to 60 minute program. The nature center will be open from 9:30am to 11:30am for you to explore the wolf display. The program will begin at 10am. "Using the […]
Come out to learn the benefits of rain barrels, how to collect water, and make a rain barrel of your own to take home. You will be provided with all the tools and instructions to make your own rain barrel for your yard. Bonus that you get to work with power tools! Please make sure […]
You will be provided with all the tools and instructions to make your own rain barrel for your yard.
Weather patterns, forecasts, severe weather, how can you understand all of it to make good plans for your day or week? Some of the terms used with meteorology can be confusing! Let's decipher them together with Brad Green! You may have already been utilizing Brad's expertise if you've ever referenced "The Off the Cuff Weather […]
Take advantage of our extended hours on the 3rd Thursday of each month to visit the Annett Nature Center! There may be new things to check out, an activity, or a chance to visit after school and work that might be harder during our regular office hours!
Friends of Warren County Conservation will be hosting a bi-monthly book club. Simply read the suggested book and join us at the Middleswart Lodge for a book discussion followed by an extended activity related each months book choice. There is no charge for this program, but participants will need to provide their own copy of […]
What is the Geocaching Adventure? There are 25 Geocaching Adventure Caches hidden in county, state and city parks around Warren County. Your challenge is to explore parks and find them all using a GPS. Each cache includes an instruction card, a logbook, and a stack of themed trading cards. Sign the logbook to show that […]
*Update 4/15/24: The 2024 evening prairie burn has been canceled due to rain and wind speeds forecasted. * Join the WCCB as we light up the night sky! Learn about the valuable role fire plays in the prairie ecosystem, and why prescribed burns are used. Enjoy the beauty of watching the prairie burn against the […]
Come learn all about what it means to be a marsupial! Marsupial Madness is an interactive and educational program designed to introduce participants to the fascinating world of marsupials, with a special focus on opossums, North America's only marsupial! The program will begin with a brief lesson that covers essential marsupial facts, including how marsupials […]
Take advantage of our extended hours on the 3rd Thursday of each month to visit the Annett Nature Center! There may be new things to check out, an activity, or a chance to visit after school and work that might be harder during our regular office hours!
Looking for a fun new outdoor hobby? Want to participate in a county-wide Geocaching Adventure? Come discover the fun and excitement of geocaching, the high tech outdoor scavenger hunt that uses a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit! Join a Warren County Conservation Board Naturalist for a beginner course to learn about geocaching and how to […]
Come learn all about the world of wild canines! We will offer 2 classes for 4th grade and under and 1 class for 5th grade and up. Wild Canines: Preschool-4th grade | 10-11am Explore the different types of wild canines and what it means to be a canine! We will have examples of furs, tracks, […]
Join a WCCB naturalist for an educational presentation that will leave you with an appreciation for these powerful predators. From our smallest raptor to our largest and everyone in between, prepare to be captivated by Iowa’s raptors. Whether you are a birdwatcher or curious about raptors there is something to learn for everyone.
Take advantage of our extended hours on the 3rd Thursday of each month to visit the Annett Nature Center! There may be new things to check out, an activity, or a chance to visit after school and work that might be harder during our regular office hours!
Let your artistic skills shine as you transform ordinary terracotta pots into beautiful works of art. Whether you prefer intricate patterns, vibrant colors, or whimsical designs, the possibilities are endless. Elevate your home décor or create unique gifts for friends and family - the choice is yours. So grab brushes, and paints, and get ready […]
StoryWalk® is a fun way to get communities outside and reading. Each month, we will put a new nature themed children’s story along the trails in different parks. Stories will all be nature themed and fun to read! This months story is Sassafras by Audrey Penn, and illustrated by Ruth E. Harper.
This class is for ages 10-18. Join us out on the water for a canoe program on Lester Pond. Our naturalist will provide instruction on how to handle a canoe to avoid damaging it, how to get in and out of a canoe safely, how to paddle effectively, and how to navigate in the canoe […]
Take advantage of our extended hours on the 3rd Thursday of each month to visit the Annett Nature Center! There may be new things to check out, an activity, or a chance to visit after school and work that might be harder during our regular office hours!
What is a Wild Outdoor Women Workshop? Would you like to meet other women with similar interests, attend classes to learn new skills, or be inspired to explore and connect with the natural world? If so, this is the event for you. This workshop provides a comfortable environment to try new outdoor activities, engage in […]
Did you know there is a National Mud Day? It takes place annually in June! Come out and help us celebrate National Mud Day with an invitation to get muddy and enjoy exploring mud with your kids! Discover, or rediscover, the messy joy that comes with a good mud pile. We will be watering down […]
Take advantage of our extended hours on the 3rd Thursday of each month to visit the Annett Nature Center! There may be new things to check out, an activity, or a chance to visit after school and work that might be harder during our regular office hours!
Get out on the water and give stand up paddleboarding a try! A WCCB naturalist will go over the basic equipment, paddle strokes, and get you paddling around our pond. No experience necessary! An adult must accompany children and children must be at least 10 years old. Lifejackets are required and provided. Space is limited […]
Are you prepared to explore the world of natural dyes and unleash your creativity? Discover the fascinating process of creating natural dyes and create your own unique dyed masterpiece. Join us as we explore the art of dyeing with natural ingredients, and bring your creativity for this hands-on workshop. The cost is $10 per person. […]
Take advantage of our extended hours on the 3rd Thursday of each month to visit the Annett Nature Center! There may be new things to check out, an activity, or a chance to visit after school and work that might be harder during our regular office hours!
Spend some time out in the park with a naturalist looking and listening for different birds that you might find in Iowa! We will have 3 options for classes this day. 9-10am: Bird Lesson with Hike 8 Year Olds and under (Best suited for 5-8 year olds) Learn the basics of what makes a bird […]
Take advantage of our extended hours on the 3rd Thursday of each month to visit the Annett Nature Center! There may be new things to check out, an activity, or a chance to visit after school and work that might be harder during our regular office hours!
Fire? Yes! Let's talk Fire! Join a WCCB Naturalist to learn about the history of fire starting, and some of the different techniques and practices. Learn how to set yourself up for success to get a fire going whether that is with a lighter, a match, or a different method! Get a chance to try […]
Take advantage of our extended hours on the 3rd Thursday of each month to visit the Annett Nature Center! There may be new things to check out, an activity, or a chance to visit after school and work that might be harder during our regular office hours!
Join Warren County Conservation for a Twister of a Halloween Hike! This is years theme is all about severe weather! Trek down the jack o’ lantern lit trail and meet some interesting weather phenomenon, including a tornado, thunder storm, blizzard, hail, and floods. Afterwards, you can enjoy a craft and a snack in the nature […]
Discover the fascinating world of camouflage and mimicry in the animal kingdom, crucial skills that help wild animals evade predators and catch their prey. From looking like a blade of grass blowing in the wind to blending in with trees, join us as we dive into the world of camouflage and mimicry. For this program, […]
On behalf of the Warren County Conservation Board, we are happy to invite you to join the WCCB and staff to celebrate our 50th anniversary! This milestone marks half a century of dedicated service to preserving Warren County’s natural resources, enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities, and fostering environmental education in our local community. To honor this […]
Embark on a guided hike under the enchanting glow of the moon, immersing yourself in the beauty of nature. This program is designed to provide a memorable and educational outdoor experience, blending tranquility, adventure, and history! As the sun sinks further behind the horizon, a naturalist will lead you through carefully chosen trails, ensuring your […]
Take advantage of our extended hours on the 3rd Thursday of each month to visit the Annett Nature Center! There may be new things to check out, an activity, or a chance to visit after school and work that might be harder during our regular office hours!
Take advantage of our extended hours on the 3rd Thursday of each month to visit the Annett Nature Center! There may be new things to check out, an activity, or a chance to visit after school and work that might be harder during our regular office hours!
Step into a bone-chilling adventure with us as we delve into the fascinating world of skulls! Uncover the secrets hidden within these bony structures and unlock the mysteries of animals' teeth. Explore the significance of their design and how it helps them specialize in their diets. Join us on this thrilling journey of discovery! The […]
Come to Buxton Park and discover all about monarch butterflies, their unusual lifestyle and life cycle and their migration to Mexico! A Warren County Conservation Naturalist will teach you how to catch and handle a monarch, determine its gender, and properly tag them as part of a national research project. All monarchs will be released […]
Come meet a WCCB naturalist and enhance your knowledge about the Owls of Iowa. Gain the skill to recognize different owl vocalizations and take a stroll along the trail to catch a glimpse of the owls residing in the park. February offers an excellent opportunity to engage with owls, so remember to dress warmly for […]
Have you ever wanted to unlock the mysterious world of animal communication through their tracks and signs? Join us for a wild adventure as we decode the secrets of the forest with one of our naturalists. From stealthy predators to elusive prey, we'll learn how to recognize and interpret the subtle clues left behind by […]
Get ready to dive into the world of these mighty munchers! Throughout the program we will uncover the secrets of these busy builders. From their impressive engineering skills to their family structures, there is so much to discover! During this program you will get the chance to make your very own beaver lodge. So bring […]
Come on a wild journey through the animal kingdom as we explore the furry, feathery, and slimy offspring of our animals here in Iowa! Can you guess which baby belongs to which animal as we put your knowledge to the test? This wild program will be sure to surprise you in the most interesting ways.
For Aprils Homeschool Wednesday we will be diving into the world of insects! This program will introduce you to the diversity of insects, exploring their unique body parts, feeding habits, and the crucial role they play in our ecosystems. Learn how these tiny creatures interact with their environment, contribute to pollination, decomposition, and even help […]
*PROGRAM UPDATE* The weather is still deciding what it wants to do. We may have the evening burn tomorrow night (Wednesday 4/23 at 7:30pm at the Annett Nature Center) but we aren't sure about conditions just yet. We will post a final update tomorrow at noon! *POP UP PROGRAM ALERT!* 🔥 We are going […]