Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center

06/09/2026

If you enjoy yoga and hiking, give this class a try! We will go for a short hike (about 1 mile roundtrip, moderate incline) to Mount Lucia and practice yoga with an incredible view! The yoga class will be a gentle flow, focusing on stretching and relaxation. Suitable for any level of yoga experience, although some prior yoga experience is helpful. Please bring your own towel or yoga mat.
* Accessibility note: Some may find the hike to Mt. Lucia quite strenuous since the hike is uphill the whole way. Please come prepared with sturdy hiking shoes and water. There is minimal shade on Mt. Lucia. Some people also prefer to put a blanket under their yoga mat to provide an extra barrier from the grass and dirt. In case of inclement weather, class will be moved indoors. For more information, call 712-258-0838 or email [email protected]. This is a free class. Instructor: Kari, Registered Yoga Teacher (RYS 200) – Yoga Alliance. - No registration required.

06/08/2026

Preschoolers join us with an adult for this special story time. We will read Ten Little Caterpillars by Bill Martin, Jr., make a craft, and take a short hike if weather allows. Prepare to be outdoors. Limit of 20 people. Registration required at: https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Woodbury/Events

06/06/2026

A beehive has three different types of bees to effectively keep the hive running. There is one queen, whose job is to lay eggs to populate the hive. Drone bees are all male bees. Their only job is to mate with the queen. Drone bees also have shorter lifespans of about 4-6 weeks. Worker bees are females, who have many different roles throughout their lives, such as caring for the young larvae, defending the hive, and foraging. While all roles are different, each are important for the survival and continuation of the hive.

06/05/2026

06/05/2026

Join us tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 PM and meet one of our animal ambassadors up close!

06/05/2026

Join us tomorrow morning at 10:00 am for a guided hike with one of our summer naturalists. All ages welcome!

06/04/2026

Join us tomorrow evening to kick off the summer season with a campfire at the Nature Center! S'mores provided!

06/03/2026

REAP builds communities. Join us at this year’s regional assembly to see what we’ve built together and help us identify what’s next! Sunday, June 7 from 2:00-4:00 pm at the Sanford Museum.

06/03/2026

Is that a tarantula?! Nope!
If you see a large spider around your yard this summer, it could be a wolf spider! These spiders are ground-dwelling, meaning they live and hunt on the ground rather than on a web. To catch their food, they use their large eyes to track down insects and chase them across the ground. Some live in burrows underneath the ground.
A great way to identify which kind of spider you’re looking at is to get a good look at their eyes! Wolf spiders have two very large front-facing eyes, like jumping spiders. There are four smaller eyes in a row beneath the two large ones, and two more small eyes near the top/back of their cephalothorax (their ‘head’). They range in colors from dark brown to tan, sometimes even orange! We have several species of wolf spiders in Iowa, like the Carolina Wolf Spider, Tiger Wolf Spider, and Rabid Wolf Spider.
These spiders are not aggressive to humans and would rather run and hide than bite! If you see one in your backyard, observe it from a distance and respect its space. If one finds its way into your house, trap it in a container and release it outside.
Photos by Curtis Meyers

06/02/2026

Many species of birds can be found throughout Woodbury County and surrounding areas, some examples include the American Robin, Blue Jay, American Goldfinch, etc. An important way to support these bird populations is providing feeders, commonly filled with seed or suet.
Bird feeders help provide reliable food sources when natural food can be limited, especially during the winter months. Feeding birds also encourages biodiversity, supports healthy ecosystems, and creates meaningful opportunities for people to connect with nature. Birds play an important role in our environment through seed dispersal, pollination, and insect control, making their conservation beneficial for the ecosystem.
Visit the nature center to observe the many bird species that stop by our feeders and consider adding a feeder to your own backyard to help support local wildlife and biodiversity year-round!