Animal Grazing at Hitchcock Nature Center
Prior to acquisition by Pottawattamie County Conservation (PCC) several areas within Hitchcock Nature Center experienced different types of large animal  grazing that resulted in the suppression of native plant species. This allowed many non-native species to gain a foothold & degrade the native prairie habitat. Since acquiring the land PCC has attempted to support remaining native species through various means including seasonal prescribed burns & the limited use of goats as small scale grazing animals. 

While these efforts have been successful we are now embarking on a new phase of restoration with the reintroduction of large grazing animals. Currently cattle  and goats are being used to graze approx. 14 acres of land in the southern section of the park that is removed from guest access. Beginning July 1st these animals will be moved to their next work site located in the north east section of the park. 

This move will bring the cattle  and goats closer to hiking trails resulting in an increased chance of interaction with park users. Visitors making use of the trails in the north east section of the park including Hohneke Trail, Bunker Hill Trail, & Hawk Ridge should be prepared for the appearance of cattle and/or goats in the vicinity of these trails. 

Current plans for containment do include the installation of live electric fencing to run parallel to Hohneke & Bunker Hill Trails. Please observe all posted signs & do not interact with the animals for your safety & theirs. 

Thank you for your support as we embark on a new phase of land stewardship at Hitchcock Nature Center.  If you have any questions regarding our current land stewardship plans please contact our Natural Resource Specialist at chad.graeve@pottcounty-ia.gov.

Thank You Loess Hills Nordic Ski Patrol

The Loess Hills Nordic Ski Patrol took advantage of a beautiful National Trails Day on June 1st to once again improve the trail system at Hitchcock Nature Center.  

This year LHNSP & a team of volunteers tackled areas along Hitchcock Nature Center's popular Badger Ridge trail that are prone to frequent erosion during rainy weather.  Improvements included cutting in three new stretches of foot-paths that bypass erosion-prone areas followed by harvesting and transplanting native plants into the newly abandoned portions of Badger Ridge Trail.  

Newly created section of Badger Ridge Trail at Hitchcock Nature Center

In addition to alleviating erosion this re-routed trail provides a slightly new aesthetic along Badger Ridge, winding through woodlands and avoiding some of the steeper portions of the original trail making it a safer & more accessible trail for our visitors. 
 
The next time you take off on Badger Ridge we remind you to heed the temporary signs and avoid the abandoned stretches which will allow the transplanted plants time to take root and to stabilize the fragile Loess soil along the trail's old route. 


July 13th - A Full Day of Programming Fun at Hitchcock Nature Center
Join us at the park for 4 informative programs all on the same day!

A Pottawattamie County Almanac: Prairie vs. Woodland
8:00 a.m. to Noon
Age 15 & Over
$15.00 per Person
Experience nature in a new way as we combine nature, art, & exploration in our adult education series, "A Pottawattamie County Almanac", presented by Pottawattamie County Conservation & award winning instructor Ron Cisar.

Join us July 13th from 8:00 a.m. to noon at Hitchcock Nature Center for the fifth session of the 2019 programming series. This session will delve into the biodiversity of prairie & woodland ecosystems with "Prairie vs. Woodland: a quadratic study in biodiversity". This session will also take a look at the use of a dichotomus key - a tool that allows the user to determine the identity of items in the natural world. 


Knee High Naturalists
2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Ages 2 to 5 Years with an Adult
$3.00 per Child, Adults Free
Young learners will get a hands-on nature experience during our new programming series, Knee High Naturalists.  Designed to increase engagement between young children and the natural world around them while adult caregivers take an active role in the program experience through shared exploration.  

During this program children with their adults will use their imaginations, play, construct, & create their own worlds using various materials during un-directed, child-led play time. This type of child-led, free-form experience has become limited during our structured lives and young children & adults alike benefit from the creative, inventive, & unstructured exploration. 


Nature Club
4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Ages 6 to 14
$3.00 per Child
This new programming series is designed for children age 6 & over without an adult.  

School age nature lovers will explore the natural world on the trails at Hitchcock Nature Center. Activities will include nature journaling to record observations & discoveries, documenting a native plant & its changes throughout the season, guided hikes along the trails at Hitchcock Nature Center, & more. 

Parents! Please join us for our 2019 Speaker Series event happening at the same time! It's the perfect way for everyone to have a fun & inspirational afternoon at the park!


2019 Speaker Series: Healthy Soil, Healthy Planet with Jean Eells
4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Ages 14 & Over
Free with Park Admission
Presenter Jean Eells will be discussing the importance of soil health & its impact on every day life.  From cover crops & no-till to how adopting those practices widely as production tools will improve water quality & infiltration she will cover a range of topics that are important to anyone who calls the Midwest home.  

The 2019 Speaker Series is a programming series designed for teens & adults to provide them with an opportunity to learn from and interact with various authorities in the fields of conservation & environmental science.  Each program will begin at 4:00 p.m. & will last approximately 1 hour with a meet & greet with the speaker to follow. 

Have children age 6 to 14 in your family? Come to the park together & enjoy Jean's presentation while your children learn & explore with our naturalists during Nature Club!

There is Still Time to Register for our July & August Summer Nature Camps! 
There's still plenty of time to register online for our July & August Summer Nature Camps! We still have tons of fun planned for campers age Pre-K through 8th Grade so hop online & register your camper today!

Nature's Apprenticeship 5th & 6th Grade Camp: July 16th - 18th
Become a Nature Apprentice and learn how nature transforms, functions, & adapts to changes throughout the seasons.
Cost: $75 per camper

Art in Nature 3rd & 4th Grade Camp: July 23rd - 25th
Campers head out in the wild to explore all the beautiful & interesting things that nature has to share and will practice a variety of art techniques & natural elements to create their masterpieces.
Cost: $75 per camper

Rock N' Roll 1st & 2nd Grade Camp: July 30th - August 1st
Campers experience the rocking & rolling of nature as we roll through the water on canoes, go on rock hunts, roll up our fishing line, & rock out to the sounds of nature.
Cost: $75 per camper

KinderNature Age 3 to 5 Camp: August 5th - 9th
With a new camp theme everyday young learners explore the world of nocturnal animals, discover dirt, & party with insects during this fun daily camp.
Cost: $15 per camper per day

Green Time 5th & 6th Grade Camp: August 6th - 8th
Campers combine their online gaming skills with real world nature learning as they  learn fire safety, archery, navigation, & more in the Loess Hills at Hitchcock Nature Center. 
Cost: $75 per camper
Upcoming Programs

2019 Summer Concert Series: SkreTTa eTc
4:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 7th
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
Enjoy a rocking time in the Loess Hills with our friends SkreTTa eTc during this family friendly concert in the park.   Read More ...

RESCHEDULED - June Hitch Hike
7:00 p.m.
Monday, July 8th
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
Join us for our rescheduled June Hitch Hike & take a guided hike along Badger Ridge to view remnant prairie & early summer flowers. Read More ...

A Pottawattamie County Almanac: Prairie vs. Woodland
8:00 a.m.
Saturday, July 13th
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
This session will delve into the biodiversity of prairie & woodland ecosystems with "Prairie vs. Woodland: a quatratic study in biodiversity.  Read More ...

Knee High Naturalists
2:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 13th
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
Learners age 2 to 5 will use their imaginations, play, construct, & create their own worlds during un-directed, child-led play time in nature.  Read More ...

Nature Club
4:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 14th
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
Students age 6 & over will explore the Loess Hills at Hitchcock Nature Center during this immersive new program full of hands on nature learning.  Read More ...

2019 Speaker Series: "Healthy Soil Healthy Planet" with Jean Eells
4:00 p.m. 
Saturday, July 13th
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
From cover crops & no-till to how adopting those practices widely as production tools will improve water quality & infiltration Jean Eells will cover a range of topics.  Read More ...

Hitch Hike
7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, July 16th
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
Join us for a guided hike out Fox Run Ridge to take in the stunning views of the Missouri River valley, beautiful prairie & pasture land in the Loess Hills. Read More...

Living Loess Tour
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 20th
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
And Partner Businesses
Connect with the culture of the Loess Hills during the monthly Living Loess Tour as you visit various local businesses. Read More ...

Hitchcock Nature Center Insect Club
5:00 p.m. Pre-Meeting Hike
6:30 p.m. Meeting
Thursday, July 25th
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
Everyone is welcome to join in the fun with the new Hitchcock Nature Center Insect Club.   Read More...

Native Earth Skills: Stone Tool Making
9:00 a.m.
Saturday, August 3rd
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
Explore several types of neolithic stone ground axe/adze types with a brief discussion of manufacturing processing, hafting techniques, material selection, utility, stone tool design across cultures, time periods, & geographic locations. Read More ...

2019 Summer Concert Series: Tonewoods Acoustic III
4:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 4th
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
Enjoy an evening at the park with Tonewoods Acoustic III. Let this talented trio serenade you with acoustic renditions of some of your favorite songs! Read More ...

Kate Simmons, Community Relations Coordinator
Pottawattamie County Conservation
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