Photo Credit: Jeremy Stiltz
What's Happening
Hunter Education Field Day - September 12th, 2026
Rock Rapids Gun Club
1426 Hark Ave
Rock Rapids, IA
Map to Event
September 12, 2026 to January 1, 3000
8:00am · 12:00pm
The hunter's education program will be held at Lyon County Nature Center on Saturday, September 12th, 2026 from 8am - 12pm.
Be sure to bring your certificate of completion. You MUST complete the online portion of the program in advance.
No cost. All materials are provided. Bring your own snacks and drinks.
For more information and to register for this course click on this link https://license.gooutdoorsiowa.com/Event/ViewEvent.aspx?id=3589
or go to iowadnr.gov
Coffee with Conservation - The Monarch Brew
Lyon County Nature Center
1651 180th Street
Inwood, IA
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September 15, 2026 to January 1, 3000
9:30am · 11:30am
Grab your spouse, a friend, or a group to join us for coffee!
September 15th, 9:30 AM
Lyon County Nature Center
Learn all about Monarch Butterflies
Grab a warm cup of coffee and pull up a chair for The Butterfly Brew, a cozy, community-focused exploration of the incredible world of monarch butterflies. This program blends the relaxed vibe of a local coffee gathering with fascinating nature insights, focusing on the miraculous life cycle, annual migration, and vital ecological role of North America's most recognizable butterfly.
Grab your spouse, a friend, or a group to join us!
Free, but please register by calling (712) 752-2033 or calling or texting 712-470-9693 to ensure we have enough goodies for everyone!!
Register at https://lyoncounty.iowa.gov/conservation/events/
Field To Vase - Late Summer Blooms 2026
Lyon County Nature Center
1651 180th St
Inwood, IA
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September 26, 2026 to January 1, 3000
10:00am · 1:00pm
Join us at the Lyon County Nature Center for a relaxing, hands-on afternoon in the meadow! Field To Vase - Late Summer Blooms is an open-house style floral workshop designed to connect you with the beauty of local flora while learning the art of sustainable floral design.
This program is tailored for participants ages 12 and up, making it a great outing for teens, adults, and families looking for a creative outdoors experience.
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Flexible Format: Stop in anytime between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM to gather, design, and create at your own pace!
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Guided Prairie Walk & Identification: Learn how to identify native Iowa wildflowers and grasses while discovering sustainable, pollinator-friendly harvesting techniques.
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Hands-on Arrangement: Receive guidance on structural design, stem conditioning, and color pairing using your freshly gathered elements.
What’s Included:
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All necessary tools, shears, and gathering equipment for use during the workshop
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A mason jar vase to build and take home your custom wild floral arrangement
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A takeaway guide featuring local plant identification, foraging ethics, and vase-life tips
Bring your favorite walking shoes, sun protection, and a passion for nature—we'll handle the rest!
Event Details:
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Date: Saturday, September 26
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Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Come & Go format—drop in whenever it suits your schedule!)
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Location: Lyon County Nature Center
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Age Requirement: Ages 12+
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Cost: $25 per participant (Includes mason jar vase, all supplies, and takeaway guide)
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Registration: Pre-registration is required and spots are limited—reserve your space today!
Octoberfest at Lake Pahoja 2026
Lake Pahoja
1831 Buchanan Ave
Inwood, IA
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October 10, 2026 to January 1, 3000
10:00am · 7:30pm
Check back for more information as the event date gets closer!!
We hope to see you there for a great time!
Coffee with Conservation - Brews & Binoculars
Lyon County Nature Center
1651 180th Street
Inwood, IA
Map to Event
October 20, 2026 to January 1, 3000
9:30am · 11:30am
Grab your binoculars and a warm cup of coffee for Brews & Binoculars, a relaxed, hands-on introduction to the world of local birdwatching. Designed for beginners and casual nature lovers alike, this gathering combines the casual feel of a morning coffee chat with practical skills for identifying, observing, and protecting local and migratory birds.
What We'll Cover
- Binocular Basics: How to quickly adjust, focus, and frame birds in your lenses without losing sight of them.
- Field Marks & Identification: Simple tricks for identifying birds by size, shape, field markings, and flight patterns.
- Birding by Ear: An introductory guide to recognizing common local bird calls and songs during the morning chorus.
- Citizen Science & Apps: How to use tools like Merlin Bird ID and eBird to log your sightings and contribute to global avian research.
Whether you're looking to turn your backyard coffee routine into a birding session or want to explore local trails with confidence, join us to sharpen your observation skills one sip at a time.
Grab your spouse, a friend, or a group to join us!
Free, but please register by calling (712) 752-2033 or calling or texting 712-470-9693 to ensure we have enough goodies for everyone!!
Register at https://lyoncounty.iowa.gov/conservation/events/
Lake Pahoja Recreation Area is a 300 acre highly developed multi-use recreation area. It offers a wide variety of activities for all seasons.
A few of the features at Lake Pahoja include 6 open picnic shelters with modern restroom facilities and drinking water available, three playgrounds, two volleyball courts, a basketball court, and horseshoe pits. Two enclosed lodges are also available - each containing four to six picnic tables, a fireplace, and outdoor pedestal grills.
