Homer and Ruth Calkins donated this unique part of the Iowa River Greenbelt to the Ellsworth College Board of Trustees in 1981.  Mr. Calkins was the executive director of the Hardin County Conservation Board for 18 years, and rehabilitated injured animals most of his life.

 

In 1993, the Hardin County Conservation Board acquired management of the area.  After a partnership was formed between the HCCB and Ellsworth College Board of Trustees, construction of the interpretive center began in 1994 and was completed in 1996.

 

The nature center area contains 76 acres, which consists of woodland, wetland, and reconstructed native prairie and is bordered by the Iowa River.  A popular attraction is a live wildlife exhibit featuring over 80 different species of animals including pheasants, waterfowl, fallow deer, raptors, amphibians, and reptiles.  A system of two miles of trails provides access to the nature area for outdoor enthusiasts of all types.  An arboretum is also located near the prairie.

You can learn more about our nature center by going here.

The Interpretive Center was dedicated to the citizens of Hardin County on October 19, 1996.  The purpose of the Interpretive Center is to promote conservation education in Hardin County and beyond.  The building is an energy efficient structure with geothermal temperature control.  Underground pipelines use heat from the ground in the winter, and are cooled during the summer.  This design provides an economically efficient way of heating and cooling the Interpretive Center.  The building consists of a multi-purpose room and kitchen that is available for rent, a laboratory/classroom facility, a gift shop, library/conference room and a natural history museum.  Schools, businesses and non-profit organizations from all over the area will benefit from increased awareness of environmental education and conservation of Iowa’s natural resources.

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