October 22, 2007, from 6-8 p.m. Out of Bedrock- A Stoneage to Modern Story is the theme for this year's annual night hike. It's a free program open to the public. Educational and fun- not scary. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Hike begins at Oakland Mills Nature Center. Groups will depart about every ten minutes. Reservations are not necessary. Easy walk on solid surface. Children may wear their favorite costume and register for a prize. Must be in costume and present to win. Drawing will be at 7:00 p.m.

November 4th, 1:30 p.m. Make a Hilltop Basket. Price $15. Only two spots left. Adults only.

Environmental Education

The Henry County Conservation Department has a Naturalist available for your organization, group, or classroom free of charge. Call for an appointment. Programs given at Oakland Mills Nature Center, in school classrooms, or at other facilities. 

We now have a constellation board in the Oakland Mills Nature Center Environmental Education Classroom ceiling, a bird viewing area on-site, and live owls for presentations!

Cari Burnstedt, Naturalist

Office: 319-986-5067 Cell: 319-931-2942

E-mail: cburnstedt@henrycountyconservation.com

 Program ideas for all ages include, but are not limited to:

live owls, raptors, a specific animal, ecosystems, food chains, geology, Native Americans, pioneer activites and crafts, dutch oven cooking, coral reef, Alaska/Denali Park, area history, weather, plant parts, tracks, predators, birds, stars, campfires, planets/stars, compass, trees, leaves, weeds, poisonous plants, wild edibles, energy conservation, renewable resources, pond study, pollution prevention, wildlife, habitats, adaptations, prairies, fishing, wetlands, night creatures, outdoor photography, nesting boxes, endangered species, insect study, survival skills, groundwater protection, hazardous waste, recycling, Leave No Trace, and wildflowers.

Programs already prepared for school groups are:

Kindergarten: eggs, turkeys, Iowa mammals, animal locomotion

1st grade: teeth/skulls, recycling, birds, bears, hibernation, *seeds, shells, solar system, frogs and toads, gardens, bats, moths/butterflies, bees, Rockhounds

2nd grade: clouds, *insects

3rd grade: water cycle, geology, food chains, *habitats

4th grade: solar system, body systems, rainforest, leaves, *constellations, animal tracks

5th grade: vertebrates/invertebrates, mammals, reptiles, endangered species, *pond study, watersheds, bison and the Native Americans, basic compass, pioneer activities and crafts, canoeing- pond, wild edibles, outdoor survival

Middle School: tree ID, leaf margins, fish, owls, biomes, water pollution and watersheds, wetlands, wildlife management, *bobcat/lynx

Caught in the Act and Mystery of the Living Rock (Note: These include language arts and social studies curricula. There are others available. All center around illegal animal trade.)

                      * These programs are more effective                                 at Oakland Mills Nature Center.

Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Girl Scout programs are also available. Rank specific and meritbadges.