Learn the basics of ice fishing and get some hands-on experience. Bait and poles will be provided.

Join our book club with Naturalist Heidi Anderson to discuss Undaunted Courage by Stephen E. Ambrose.

Participate in a mock caucus and learn about Iowa’s first-in-the-nation status as you sample yummy cookies! Families will partake in the caucus experience by campaigning & voting for their favorite sweet treats. Arrive by 1:45pm to participate in the entire caucus process, led by Mayor Bob Andeweg.

Let your imagination run wild with this fun, nature-themed story time! Hear a story followed by the naturalist’s choice of an activity such as an animal encounter, puppets or a craft. Recommended for ages 3-6.

Learn the basics of ice fishing and get some hands-on experience. Bait and poles will be provided. Participants over the age of 16 need a valid fishing license.

We’ll shake off the winter blues with plenty of paddling time in the pool. A short discussion about equipment and technique will take place before hitting the water. Locker rooms are available for changing into clothes that can get wet.

Come visit Jester Park Nature Center’s resident turtles, snakes, and salamanders to learn about these misunderstood animals. You may even get to touch a turtle or snake. This is an open house program, come anytime between 1-2:30 pm.

Join us for an exciting and energetic puppet show. Participants will be laughing, singing, and learning about nature as we entertain them with a scripted show starring a cast of animated puppets and props. All ages welcome.

Controlling our breath and moving our bodies in focused ways can bring back a connection with the natural world. This class will offer ways to connect with breath, body and the earth, regardless of experience with yoga. Beverage and snack served following the program.

Join us to celebrate Iowa’s true winter romantics…the owls! By Valentine’s Day owls are often sitting on a nest of eggs. Learn why owls court in winter, which owls call Iowa home, make an owl craft, and head outside to see if we can find other winter birds. Ages 5 and up.

Join Kara Simons for a guided meditation and discussion honoring our energetic and physical connections with animals as teachers and guides. Reframe your perception and explore the rich symbolism of animal characteristics and attributes, from birds to mammals to reptiles, amphibians and insects.

Dr. Suzanne Bartlett Hackenmiller, Integrative Medicine Physician and author of “The Outdoor Adventure’s Guide to Forest Bathing” will be leading this interactive class. If there is no snow, we will go on a winter woodland hike followed by Forest Bathing/Shinrin Yoku.

The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN) at Iowa State University is pleased to invite your students and their families to the upcoming Find Your Future in Food and Nutrition Through Science Visit Day on March 13. (NOTE: This is not a Des Moines Public Schools activity. The district shares this information as a courtesy to create awareness of community opportunities available to our students and their families.)

Work outside in parks this spring or summer. We provide transportation, equipment, tools, and training for teenagers who want to make a difference in the outdoors. Polk County Conservation Youth Corps aims to engage and inspire youth through hands-on environmental stewardship & outdoor recreation.

Lifeguard certification course to prepare students for employment at a pool. Classes 5 New Certification classes and 4 Review classes January-March 2020.

Build My Future is an immersive hands on event that allows participants to see multiple career paths available in Iowa. Participants will be able to get their hands on many careers in urgent need of a skilled workforce. Find more information at www.iowaskilledtrades.com .

Information on bringing live animals to your classroom, taking a field trip to the zoo, or adding our programming into your after school program.