Toadally Awesome Pets: Connecting Communities to Amphibian Conservation

Toadally Awesome Pets: Connecting Communities to Amphibian Conservation

January 16th, 2:30pm-4:00pm at Benton County Nature Center

Toadally Awesome Pets is a mobile amphibian education program dedicated to building curiosity, empathy, and conservation awareness throughout Iowa. Founded and operated by amphibian enthusiast and educator Lenora Hagen, the program brings live frogs, toads, and other small aquatic creatures for hands-on learning accessible to everyone. This is an open-house style program and registration is not required.

Iowa's Past & Future: Prairie Chickens & Sandhill Cranes

Iowa's Past & Future: Prairie Chickens & Sandhill Cranes

Jan 22nd, 5:30pm-6:30pm at Belle Plaine Public Library (904 12th Street, Belle Plaine, IA)

Join us for an educational program exploring the rise and fall of two of Iowa’s most captivating bird species: the greater prairie chicken and the sandhill crane. Learn about their unique behaviors, the challenges they’ve faced, and the inspiring conservation efforts that are helping bring them back to our landscape. Get all the details on our upcoming guided bus trip to witness the great sandhill crane migration and experience the thrill of watching prairie chickens on their booming grounds! No registration required.

Jig Tying

Jig Tying

February 19th, 6pm-7:30pm at Benton County Nature Center; $5/person

Get jiggy with it! Join us at the Nature Center and try your hand at tying a jig. If you can tie a knot, you can tie a jig! The program includes a tying demonstration, information about fishing with jigs, and jig tying. Limit 6 jigs per person. Must be 14+ years of age or older. Registration is required at mycountyparks.com by February 13th, 2025.

Sandhill Crane & Prairie Chicken Bus Tour

Sandhill Crane & Prairie Chicken Bus Tour

March 26th-28th, 2026 to North Platte, Nebraska

Each spring, more than 500,000 sandhill cranes gather in the Platte River valley during their northward migration. Approximately 80% of all sandhill cranes come to the Platte every spring. The concentration of cranes here is the greatest of anywhere in the world.

This 3-day tour led by Benton, Buchanan and Bremer County Conservation will be packed with professional guided tours by Dusty Trails, LLC to view prairie chickens and sandhill cranes, a visit to Omaha's Downtown District, Golden Spike Tour, and more! Trip price includes deluxe motor coach transportation, hotel room, professional guides, entrance fees, two breakfasts, and tips. Participants will need to pay for lunches, dinners, and incidentals on the trip.

Cost per person:

Single occupancy fee $1,050.00

Double occupancy fee $900.00

Triple occupancy fee $850.00

Quad occupancy fee $750.00

Advance registration by February 12th, 2026 is required by visiting https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Buchanan/Park/Fontana-Park/Events/