If you have a heart for exploring the natural world, spending time with other nature enthusiasts can be an enriching and rewarding experience. And with so many local organizations dedicated to bringing nature-minded individuals of every level of experience together, there are plenty of opportunities to meet and learn from others who share the same passion. Here, we offer a number of ways you can join the local naturalist community this fall or throughout the year – meeting local experts, experiencing some amazing habitats, and even supporting local conservation.
Nebraska Master Naturalist
If you already have a passion for the outdoors and Nebraska’s natural environment, the Nebraska Master Naturalist program is a great way to dive into the local naturalist community. Through both classroom and in-field training, participants gain an in-depth understanding of Nebraska’s native wildlife and plant communities. And as Certified Master Naturalists, these volunteers lend their time and expertise to habitat restoration projects, citizen science studies, and nature centers where they speak with visitors and share their heart for Nebraska’s natural heritage.
Becoming a Certified Master Naturalist starts with an application process and sixty hours of educational training. After completing the training, candidates perform at least twenty hours of conservation service in a variety of projects of their choosing.
Hitchcock Nature Center
Photo by Lance Brisbois /@lancefromiowa
Hitchcock Nature Center encompasses over twelve hundred acres of native landscape in the beautiful Loess Hills of western Iowa. Throughout the year, they offer opportunities for people of all ages to immerse themselves in the beauty of this natural wildlife community through hiking, camping, bird watching, stargazing, and more.
Hitchcock’s HawkWatch Program // September – December, 9:00am-4:00pm, daily
The prevailing winds and unique topography of the Missouri River corridor combine to create the perfect “highway” for thousands of migrating raptors in the fall. From a treetop viewing tower, volunteers gather to record sightings of all kinds of raptor species, which are submitted in the Hawkcount national database for raptor research.
A Pottawattamie County Almanac: Autumn Splendor // October 12th, 8:00am-12:00pm
In the Pottawattamie County Almanac series, participants experience the natural world through a variety of lenses – art, writing, hiking, guest lectures, and field studies. In this session, participants will learn about the science of fall’s changing colors, get an introduction to nature photography, and discuss a work by author Aldo Leopold.
Speaker Series: Nesting Owls + Barn Owl Restoration // October 12th, 4pm
At this final presentation of Hitchcock’s 2019 Speaker Series, an avian ecologist from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will discuss owls and the conservation programs in place to support them.
Butterflies through Binoculars // October 13th, 1pm
Learn from a local wildlife biologist about the variety of native butterfly species that call the Loess Hills home. After learning about the habitats different butterflies prefer, the group will head outdoors for a guided walk to find them.
DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge
Photo by Ariel Panowicz / @arielpanowicz
Located within the migratory bird corridor along the Missouri River, DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge provides nature enthusiasts with the opportunity to experience the intact natural habitats along the historic Missouri River floodplain. It’s a vital resource for migrating ducks, geese, and other birds and a haven for rare and endangered species including piping plover and pallid sturgeon.
Every Saturday and Sunday at 1:30pm, enjoy the latest showing in the Weekend Wildlife Film Series to learn more about our local ecosystems. Throughout the year, DeSoto also offers a variety of interpretive programs and special events as well as opportunities to hike, fish, and view an amazing array of wildlife.
Fontenelle Forest
Photo by John Rasmussen / @jcsonofrasmus
Fontenelle Forest inspires a love for our natural environment with opportunities to experience the quiet beauty of natural habitats through hiking, educational programs, field trips, clubs, and more.
Seniors Understanding Nature: The Square Meter Project // October 8th, 9:45am-11:00am
In this installment of Fontenelle’s monthly Seniors Understanding Nature (SUN), an expert from the Nature Conservancy in Nebraska will share experiences he’s gleaned from observing the wealth of life found within just a square meter of native prairie.
Night Hike // October 12th, 7:00pm-10:00pm
See and experience the “nightlife” of an eastern Nebraska forest in this three- to five-mile hike through Fontenelle after the sun goes down. Bring a flashlight and find out how much really goes on out there after you’ve gone to bed.
Writing Hike for Beginners // October 19th, 9:00pm-10:30am
This hike helps nature enthusiasts of all ages, professions, and skill levels develop field journaling skills for use in writing projects ranging from poetry to science.
Autumn Constellation Viewing at Neale Woods // October 25th, 6:30pm-8:00pm
Get away from the city lights and stare up at the starry sky at Fontenelle’s Neale Woods north of Omaha. You’ll find out how rich the night sky can be as you spot famous fall constellations such as Aquarius, Pegasus, Capricorn, and Pisces.
Audubon Society of Omaha
Photo by Lance Brisbois / @lancefromiowa
For those with a love for birds, the Audubon Society of Omaha is another great way to engage in the local naturalist community. Its members are dedicated to building environmental awareness through education and conservation efforts, as well as hosting programs that help the community explore natural habitats and observe local wildlife.
Birding Field Trips // October 26th, 2:30pm-4:30pm
Check out all the best birding spots with expert birders during monthly field trips from September through April. During this month’s Birding Field Trip, visit two local cemeteries – including a recent hotspot for crossbills.
Golden Hills Resource Conservation + Development
Photo by Lance Brisbois / @lancefromiowa
Golden Hills Resource Conservation and Development is dedicated to developing, preserving, and promoting native landscapes and wildlife communities for the benefit of not only the natural environment but also the human-built communities and agricultural assets of western Iowa. Throughout the year, they host a huge variety of programs, tours, and camps designed to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to get engaged in their natural heritage.
Prairie Seed Harvests // October 9th, 14th, 15th
During one of their Prairie Seed Harvests taking place across Iowa, learn how to identify and hand-harvest native prairie seeds for use in habitat restoration projects throughout the region. No experience is necessary, and you’ll get to explore natural habitats including remnant and restored prairies, oak woodlands, and rivers edges.
Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center
Photo by Peter Palermo / @pejamo
Located near Lincoln, Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center is an 850-acre prairie sanctuary with a mission to conserve a piece of our native tallgrass prairie ecosystem and the plants and animals that depend on it. Visitors can explore walking trails through a variety of landscapes including grasslands, wetlands, and ponds. They also present nature programs on a wide variety of topics too.
Words for Birds! Change the World Through Writing // October 6th, 2-4pm
In this writing workshop, people of all ages will learn how to advocate for local wildlife conservation through essays, poetry, editorials, and more.
The Big Sit! Count Birds with Friends + Food // October 13th, 7am-7pm
Join this annual, worldwide birding event where participants count as many birds as they can see throughout the day from one 17-foot diameter circle. Come anytime, stay as long as you like. Bring a chair and snacks to share.
Third Tuesday Bird Walks // October 15th, 8am-10am
Join fellow bird enthusiasts, share experiences, and learn more about prairie birds during this free guided walk. This is the last monthly walk of the season, but they’ll start again in April.
Heron Haven Wetland Sanctuary
Just across from our store, at Heron Haven Wetland Sanctuary, you’ll find wooded trails, a pollinator garden and meadow, and a natural wetland. The education center and surrounding habitat host a wide variety of educational programs for conservation, birding, photography, and natural history.
2nd Saturday Nature Program // October 12th, 10:00am-11:30am
Each month is the 2nd Saturday Nature Program with guided hiking and a variety of nature activities. This month’s event follows a Harry Potter theme for a fun, family-friendly way to explore the natural world.
Heron Haven Camera Club // October 16th, 6:30pm-8:00pm
Members of Friends of Heron Haven can also participate in the monthly Heron Haven Camera Club to share their passion for the natural world and hone their photography skills. People of all levels of experience are welcome.
Join the Community of Local Naturalists
Just being around people who have such a passion for the natural world is inspiring, educational, and fun too. We hope this fall you’ll take the opportunity to get outdoors and experience all the beauty and richness a Nebraska autumn has to offer. And if you stop by the store, just ask the team where they like to go when they’re ready to learn more about our native plant and wildlife communities.
