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.

HOLIDAY HOURS AND DAYS CLOSED:
New Year's Day
President's Day
The Monday after the Maple Syrup Festival
Easter Sunday
Memorial Day
July 4th
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday
Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving
Christmas

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 Weiland
lwoods@indiancreeknaturecenter.org
Maintenance Assistant
Richard Riehl
Custodian
Marvin Tapken


BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR 2009

Executive Committee
Lisa Henderson, President
Lisa Ramlo, President Elect
Jeff Hines, Treasurer
Kathleen Aller, Secretary
Kathy Horan, Immediate Past President

Directors
Tanya Brown
Paul Brundell
Amanda D'Amico
Kim Doyle
Kay Graber
Karla Gibson
Tim Harris
Colleen Hinman
Don Johnson
Bradley Lang
Lisa Nagle
Michael O'Donnell
David Parmley
Janet Pilcher
Lorie Schweer
Jen Visser

Ex-Officio
Pat Ervin (Guild)
Dennis Goemaat

Emeritus
Gladys Bock

Trustees
Robert Caldwell
Dick Garberson
Sue Hawn
Joseph Hladky III
David Kubickek
Larry McGrath
Paul Morf
Mark Ogden
Denny Redmond
Bill Schneider
Jim Seifert
B.B. Stamats
Nadine V. Wax


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