Wapsi River Environmental Education Center
The Wapsi River Environmental Education Center is located along the Wapsipinicon River and consists of 225 acres of upland and bottomland forests, grasslands, and wetlands. The Wapsi Center, along with Sherman Park across the river, provide a 432-acre complex offering a wide variety of uses.
- Education
- Nature
- Recreation
- Facilities
- Contact
- Register for Public Programs
- Rates & Rental Fees
- Waspi River Environmental News
- Wapsipinicon River Water Levels
- Wapsi River Environmental Education Center Map (Attached Below)
Center Goals
The Wapsi River Environmental Education Center provides multiple uses, with an emphasis on resource protection and environmental education. Specific goals include:
- protection of existing natural resources
- a comprehensive environmental education program
- providing limited outdoor recreation
- providing public access to the Wapsipinicon River
- managing the area to provide diverse wildlife habitat
- development of a Wapsipinicon River Greenbelt
You Can Help!
Are you a school teacher or a member of a civic organization that is looking for a community project? Please consider the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center. The Center has a constant need for supplies and equipment.
The Friends of the Wapsi Center is a citizens' support group providing assistance to the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center in the form of volunteers for programs, technical assistance, curriculum planning, financial support, and guidance in fulfilling the Center's goals.
[ Friends of the Wapsi Center ]
Need Information?
For more information on programs and facilities, the "Friends" Group, or making a contribution to the Center, contact us:
Wapsi River Center
31555 52nd Avenue
Dixon, Iowa 52745
563-328-3286
[email protected]
Project Partners
The Wapsi Center is managed and operated by Scott County Conservation. The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and QCCA helped with the original purchase of the property and fund raising.
- Scott County Conservation
http://www.scottcountyiowa.com/conservation/ - Quad-City Conservation Alliance
http://qccaexpocenter.com - Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
http://www.inhf.org
Attachments:
Features
Saturday, November 2, 2024 - 10:00am to 2:00pm
Come explore the Wapsi River Center this Fall. A woodland nature hike, prairie seed collection and a fall prairie burn will help you get into the season. See Smokey The Bear and celebrate his 80th birthday! Free family fun for everyone. Please plan to wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.
Online Registrations is require: Fall Ecology Day
- 10:00-11:00 ~ Prairie Hike
- 11:00-12:00 ~ Seed collection
- 12:00-12:30 ~ Break (lunch on your own)
- 12:30-2:00 ~ Prescribed fire in prairie (condition-dependent)
Monday, November 11, 2024
Scott County, City and State offices will be closed Monday, November 11, 2024 in observation of Veterans Day.
Visit the Scott County Veterans Memorial of those from Scott County who made the supreme sacrifice. For Veterans Day information including proclamations, history, posters, and more, visit http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/.
Saturday, November 16, 2024 - 9:00am to 12:00pm
Come Learn about the many wild edibles in your own neck of the woods. We will focus on foraging basics, foraging safety, identifying plants, and preparing wild edibles. We will take a hike outdoors to identify and forage some of the fall wild edibles available during this time. After the hike, put your cast iron cooking skills to the test and roast chestnuts and make fruit muffins out of our foraged ingredients over a campfire!
Online registration is required: Wild Edibles
Scott County is accepting online applications for the following position:
Conservation Department (Part-time) $15.00 to $17.00 per hour
Application Deadline: Saturday, November 30, 2024, 4:30pm Central Time. (30 days remain)
Saturday, December 7, 2024 - 1:00pm
Learn how to make a natural wreath with Naturalist Mike. Grapevine will be used to create a wreath base which is then decorated with pine boughs, pinecones, seeds, and nuts. Participants my bring items to decorate and personalize their own creations. This class costs $10/wreath.
Online registrations is required. Click the link to register: Wreath