The Indian Creek Nature Center


ABOUT THE NATURE CENTER

Nestled in a little pocket between the roar of Iowa's second largest city and the productive hum of the nation's richest farmland lies a special place for wildlife, plants, and people. This land, where Indians once fished and elk and buffalo roamed, is the Indian Creek Nature Center.

Established in 1973, the private nonprofit organization includes a 240-acre nature preserve and an interpretive center in a remodeled 1932 dairy barn. The barn houses exhibits including displays depicting various natural habitats, a demonstration bee hive, and an observation tower. The Creekside Shop (where you'll find special items for home and friends . . . both wildlife and people), auditorium, offices, and restrooms are also located in the barn. The grounds near the barn contain a butterfly garden, a Vermont-style maple sugar house, herb garden, frog pond, beehives, and a prairie. Picnic tables are available for your use.

Learning opportunities abound for groups, families, and individuals while enjoying nature's beauty. Explore restored prairie, oak-hickory savannas, maple sugar bush, riparian floodplain, wetlands or pine groves as you walk one of many foot paths that wind through the preserve. The Nature Center also offers a variety of educational and fun programs.

Just as the emphasis on nature appreciation and conservation has grown in America, the range of the Center's programming has expanded. Whether you're more comfortable in hiking boots, on cross country skis, or just relaxing at a slide program, you'll be at home at Indian Creek Nature Center!

OUR MISSION: It is the purpose of the Nature Center to promote a sustainable future by: nurturing individuals through environmental education, providing leadership in land protection and restoration, and encouraging responsible interaction with nature.


CONTACT US

The Indian Creek Nature Center currently employs ten staff. Please feel free to contact us at any time with comments or questions.

We can be reached by phone at 319-362-0664, a general email account at NatureCenter@indiancreeknaturecenter.org, or at our individual email addresses.

Our fax number is 319-362-2876.

REGULAR HOURS OF BUSINESS: Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM. Saturdays, 11 AM to 4 PM.

Director
Rich Patterson
rpatterson@indiancreeknaturecenter.org
Education Facilitator
Jan Aiels
jaiels@indiancreeknaturecenter.org
Land Steward
Jean Wiedenheft
jean@indiancreeknaturecenter.org
Program Specialist
Margaret Wolter
mwolter@indiancreeknaturecenter.org
Office & Web site Manager
Dana Wood
dwood@indiancreeknaturecenter.org
Development Assistant
Nancy Lackner
nlackner@indiancreeknaturecenter.org
Registrar
Kay Riehl
kriehl@indiancreeknaturecenter.org
Assistant Registrar
Liana Woods
lwoods@indiancreeknaturecenter.org
Maintenance Assistant
Richard Riehl
Custodian
Marvin Tapken


OUR CURRENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive Committee
Kathy Horan, President
Lisa Henderson, President Elect
Jeff Hines, Treasurer
Kay Graber, Secretary
Robert "Mick" McNiel, Immediate Past President

Directors
Kathleen Aller
Tanya Brown
Paul Brundell
Jon Cushing
Amanda D'Amico
Tom DeBoom
Kim Doyle
Karla Gibson
Sue Hawn
Bradley Lang
Lisa Nagle
Michael O'Donnell
David Parmley
Janet Pilcher
Lisa Ramlo
Brad Schoenfelder
Lorie Schweer
Jim Seifert

Ex-Officio
Pat Ervin (Guild)
Dennis Goemaat

Emeritus
Gladys Bock

Trustees
Robert Allsop
Gary Bartlett
Robert Caldwell
Joseph Hladky III
David Kubicek
Larry McGrath
Paul Morf
Denny Redmond
Bill Schneider
B.B. Stamats
Nadine V. Wax


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