In 1968, the City received a massive grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development that was matched by local taxpayers to purchase about 1000 acres of flood-prone land now known as the Greenbelt.   The idea was to buy this land and keep it as open space.  When the river was high, this low land would fill with water; but since no development was permitted, there would be no homes, schools or businesses damaged.   The Greenbelt also became the location of the Sac and Fox, Iowa’s first national recreation trail, and the sewer leading to the then new water pollution control facility was built through the Greenbelt, enabling Cedar Rapids to more effectively cleanse waste water.   Portions of the Greenbelt were leased to the infant Indian Creek Nature Center in 1973.

As mayor, Don supported these innovative and forward-thinking initiatives, and residents today enjoy the dividends.   Often he worked in the background and let others receive credit.

Don was a welcoming and genuinely friendly man.  When Marion and I moved here from Kansas in 1978, I called his office to introduce myself.   I expected a secretary to answer the phone, but he did.  When I explained that we had just moved to Cedar Rapids he said, “Then I want to meet you.  Please come to my office”.   We did and had a pleasant chat.   He seemed delighted that we had come to Cedar Rapids.  For the remainder of the time as mayor, he supported the Nature Center and was always encouraging.   I will miss him.

Of course most people think the best part is the breakfast – a stack pancakes fresh off the griddle…butter melting slowly and a river of thick, sweet maple syrup cascading over the stack. Excuse me, I need a moment.  Okay… sausages, coffee, juice, milk…more pancakes.  Yummy.  Buy your tickets in advance ($7/adults; $4/kids 3-12)  and save $1 over buying them at the door.  See you out here for the sweetest celebration of the year…at least until Honey Fest!

First, PADDLE DAY is coming this Saturday, Jan 29th.  If you’re a kayaker, a canoeist or other paddle enthusiast, you won’t want to miss this!  Eco-adventurer John Pearson will share some of his recent excursions across America in a beautiful and exciting photo-narrative.  John Craun will tell you why Isle Royale is a MUST on your destination list and he’ll show you his latest creation – an Aleutian biadarka!  It’s a beautiful wooden kayak he’s constructed that you’ll definitely want to see.   Registration opens at 12:30…cost is $7/ICNC members; $10/non-members

We’ve got three workshops coming up for folks interested in chickens.  First, noted author and co-host of the wildly popular “Chicken Whisperer” radio show – Patricia Freeman – will Skype in to the Nature Center on Sunday, Feb 6th at 2pm for a presentation on integrating chickens with gardens and increasing your backyard production.  We’ll also have a presentation on coops and fencing.  If you’re raising chickens or thinking about it, you’ll want to be here!  Cost is $7/ICNC members; $10/non-members.

And if you’re thinking you want to raise chickens and want to know more about it, come to our Basic Chicken Workshop on Saturday, February 19th at 2pm.  This is the workshop required by the City of Cedar Rapids before a permit will be issued for residents to raise hens in their backyards.  This same workshop will also be presented on Wednesday, March 2nd at 7:00pm at the new Theisen’s location (1800 51st St NE…formerly Econofoods).  Thanks to our friends at Cargill and Nutrena for helping us with the Theisen’s workshop!  Cost for either workshop is $7/ICNC members; $10/non-members.

If you’re interested in more information or to register for these events, give us a call at 319-362-0664.  See you at the Nature Center!

For more info, visit the program calendar on our website!

It’s that time of year again! Are you ready for Honey Fest?

The Nature Center bees have been very happy – and busy, of course – this year, and they’re ready for you to come out and enjoy their hard work. Join us this Sunday, September 19th from 1 – 4 PM for our annual Honey Fest!

This year’s festival has an arts theme. Local artists will be practicing their crafts throughout the grounds. (Don’t miss artist and author Claudia McGehee and her scratchboard wonders – she will be signing books too!) In addition, we’ll have all of the usual favorites: games and crafts, great food, and our live bee beard and bee bonnet this year will be American Gothic inspired. Don’t miss it!

And don’t forget to take something sweet home with you: The Creekside Shop is stocked with Nature Center honey, honeycomb, honey sticks in a variety of flavors and much more!

(The photo in this post is taken from Sweet Virginia‘s website. Sweet Virginia looks like an amazing cause – get rewarded for donations with honey!)

You can see he looks a bit like a cross between a pigeon and a mourning dove.  Wikipedia describes him like this:

It is a medium sized dove, distinctly smaller than the Wood Pigeon, similar in length to a Rock Pigeon but slimmer and longer-tailed, and slightly larger than the related Turtle Dove, 30–33 cm long from tip of beak to tip of tail, with a wingspan of 47–55 cm, and a weight of 125–240 g. It is grey-buff to pinkish-grey overall, a little darker above than below, with a blue-grey underwing patch. The tail feathers are grey-buff above, and dark grey tipped white below; the outer tail feathers also tipped whitish above. It has a black half-collar edged with white on its nape from which it gets its name. The short legs are red and the bill is black. The iris is red, but from a distance the eyes appear to be black, as the pupil is relatively large and only a narrow rim of reddish-brown iris can be seen around the black pupil. The eye is surrounded by a small area of bare skin, which is either white or yellow. The two sexes are virtually indistinguishable; juveniles differ in having a poorly developed collar, and a brown iris.

The dove seems to prefer urban areas and often comes to feeders – a bonus for spotting this new guy.  The Iowa DNR told us that since it is a dove, it is protected as Iowa law prohibits the shooting of any dove species.  We haven’t seen one yet, but if you do… let us know!

(Namely to my untrained eye. And I’m not recommending the front walk for its slip n slide properties.)

So what are we really doing at the Nature Center this week?

Meet our new permeable pave. Installed by Eggleston Concrete, the front walk will now work to soak up some water and help it find a way down into the ground instead of running right off into the road (and ultimately into Indian Creek).

Over a layer of rock, the busy-as-bees (and almost as numerous) workers, laid down a rough, porous concrete. (In this picture you can see the permeable pave meeting up with another run-off resistant surface: our grass pave.)

Watch for an update on what the finished product will look like – and who gets to walk on it first!

The rain barrel sale was a fundraiser, but more than that it was a big part of our spring watershed initiative. Indian Creek Nature Center has a place in its heart for keeping a few extra gallons out of the Cedar River and Indian Creek, one rainstorm at a time.

We pre-sold the barrels and received them in two very large shipments. But what do you do if you still want one of our amazing Mobys?

Call us up (362-0664) and let us know! The plan is to keep a small number of Mobys in stock this fall and winter. The small batches will increase the price a little ($110 instead of $100), but it will mean that you’ll get to install your barrel and collect that sweet summer rain!

Update: We’re famous! Check out the wonderful spot that KWWL had on the rain barrels Friday night!

Many of you loyal blog readers probably know that the Emerald Ash Borer has been found in Iowa. (Allamakee County, to be exact. Check out the official statement here.) While the state of Iowa fought the good fight, it’s time to talk about what we do now.

FIREWOOD. The DNR is recommending that you buy firewood where you are staying and burn it completely. In the very least, buy or procure your firewood as close to where you are burning as possible. And for pete’s sake, don’t carry firewood across county lines. (Or across state lines, but that’s been a good rule for awhile.)

DIVERSITY. Nature counts on biodiversity to survive. It’s that simple. When we create a monoculture, we make it easy for diseases like Dutch Elm (carried by a beetle) or pests like the Emerald Ash borer to spread. When we line every street in the country with stately, beautiful but similar trees, we can’t be surprised when diseases and pests are able to change the face of the American landscape.

Plant diversity. Plant native. And this way, plant for the future.

(Photo above from here. Don’t reuse it without giving them credit!)

Participants of Bug Academy will view a short presentation illustrating and describing aquatic insects. We will then hike through beautiful, wet, shady areas and learn how to find and capture these creatures.

This program is geared toward ages 7 and up but will be interesting and educationalfor all ages. Wear boots and bring sunscreen! Call 362-0664 to register.