Iowa County Conservation
Lake Iowa Nature Center
WHERE NATURE SPARKS DISCOVERY
When the Iowa County Conservation Board set out to refresh its 1,200-square-foot nature center, it seemed only natural to highlight the abundant native habitat and wildlife of Lake Iowa. And since families with young children are the predominant visitors to the facility, providing a range of simple activities and engaging installations would be a perfect way to creatively keep curious minds occupied and educate them at the same time.
We worked with the board and staff to optimize the high ceiling space, expansive wall areas, and inviting windows that usher the outside in while drawing the eye to nature nearby. The result is a series of both static and interactive displays that keep kids immersed in the world around them while learning about bees, butterflies, and other prairie dwellers.
SERVICES:
– Project Management
– Interpretive Planning
– Creative Direction
– Experiential Design
– Content Development
– Elevation Drawings
– 3D Renderings
– Illustration
– Interactive Development
– Graphic Production
– Fabrication
– Installation
BIRDS IN VIEW
To help make the outdoors its own exhibit, we installed reading rails at each window with photos and information panels providing fun facts on the bird world outside. This lets young and old birdwatchers alike marvel at the many different types they spot as they find out more about them.
BEE LIFE CYCLE
We creatively utilized one cozy corner to showcase a series of pollinator interactives. We built a large honeycomb structure housing stuffed bees in various stages of development for delight and discovery. Young visitors can reach it on a colorful Twister®-inspired playmat or try a beekeepers helmet on for size.
POLLINATOR PARTITIONS
Designed to both teach and provide an additional “wall” to section off smaller areas as needed, we created a movable divider that features Monarch butterflies in a colorful meadow on one side and bustling bees in a similar setting on the other. Engaging facts about each are also called out on both ends to spark more interest.
NEST AND CLIMB
With the goal of fully engaging the youngest visitors to the space, we designed and crafted a handmade tree for kids to crawl into and explore. Or they can perch in a replica hawk’s nest to learn more about the life of this native hunter.
FIRE ON THE PRAIRIE
An important nature center component is education about the dangers and benefits of wildfires on the Midwestern prairie. We worked with Iowa County Conservation to create this static exhibit showing how a prairie fire burns and its effects on the environment over time.
FLEXIBLE AMPITHEATER SEATING
Enabling additional uses of the large amphitheater space, we designed movable seating that easily accommodates presentations to groups of various sizes.