Prairie birthdays … that’s how Aldo Leopold described it! Come out and celebrate “prairie birthdays” with us!

Other things are changing at the center as well.

The work on the indoor archery range is progressing on schedule. The range will be completed by the end of May. The equipment, funded in part by an O’Brien County Community Foundation grant, is ready for use in schools and organizational programming. Watch for more details on an open-use schedule.

The size of the bison pen will double this spring! The bull bison and two cows will return to the prairie hillside once the grasses have begun to grow. New calves could potentially be joining them throughout the spring. Watch the local media for an announcement regarding their “Welcome Back Party.” The bison will be making the center their permanent home after they arrive this spring. The pen being constructed will be used as their wintering area.

Another addition to the bison area will be an observation platform. A short hike down the path will bring visitors to an elevated area which will improve bison viewing. The platform will be handicap accessible.

Work continues on the Mill Creek Exhibit. The Little Sioux Valley Conservation Association was awarded an Iowa Community Culture grant by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs for a Place-Based Archaeology project. Watch for more details on this in the future, but you can expect to see “Culturally Stimulating Investigations.

(CSI)” for all ages! A landscape exploration hike, investigative timeline kits, a hands-on tool making station and a virtually interactive game are all part of the plans!

Be sure to view the temporary exhibits in the conference room next time you visit.

We are always on the look-out for good volunteers. If you would be willing to share your time and talents with us, please let us know!

We look forward to visiting with you soon!