Join us for a night hike to the Skillet Creek Indian Mounds as we walk through the leaves. Come and enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of the night as we hike this moderately to difficult hiking path up the hillside. We will discuss the area history and observe the burial and ceremonial mounds on the hill top. This program is for all ages of...

Come and check it off your bucket list as we take a guided night hike and follow the luminary pumpkins on the woodland trails. We will learn about nocturnal woodland animals and their special adaptions for night time survival. Bring your own headlight or flashlight with a red-light option if you wish. We will supply some lights and red-light coverings but numbers are limited. This...

There are many Halloween events happening this year at the Briggs Woods Park in Hamilton County, Iowa! Campers decorate their sites for trick or treaters and a chance for two awards for the best decorated campsites. Free events are trick or treating, hayrides and kids' games at Shelter 1. The Luminary Night Hike is a fundraiser for the Naturalist Program and is free to ages...

Celebrate fall at our annual Little Wall Lake Halloween Event featuring trick or treating and hayrides. This family oriented event invites campers to Halloween themed decorate your campsite. There will be awards for the best two decorated campsites. Trick or treating will be in the campgrounds. Hayrides will start at the picnic shelter. No alcohol consumption is allowed at the hayrides. Non camping visitors should...

Explore the universe as we discover the basics of Astronomy and observe stars, constellations, planets, moon craters, and orbiting satellites. Bring your curiosity and binoculars to the amphitheater so we can observe the night sky. Bring your smart phone with a star finder app loaded on it to assist us in night sky observation. This program is for all ages of people who are curious...

Come on an insect safari.  We will focus on finding, catching, observing, and releasing grasshoppers and butterflies that we encounter along the way. We have a limited number of butterfly nets and insect containers so feel free to bring your own. Be sure to put on some bug spray and sun screen before you come. We will discuss the many benefits of insects and their...

A little history about primitive weapons. Join the fun as we offer participants the chance to use a variety of weapons from the past to the present, starting with early atlatls used to throw long darts at targets. Tomahawks and knife throwing along with slingshots, bows and arrows will be demonstrated and supervised by the Webster and Hamilton County Naturalists. This is a joint program...

Paleontologist & Geologist Joshua Laird will be on hand to help identify your rocks and fossils. Learn about how different types of rocks and fossils are formed, how to identify your rocks and fossils, as well as how and where to find these geological treasures. Bring a few of your own rocks & fossils that you would like to have identified. Limit of two rocks...

Come and help clean garbage out of our river as we canoe the Boone River. Meet at Shelter # 1 at Brigg’s Woods Park to register and we will start from there. What to bring: Sunscreen, water, bug spray, shovel, gloves, hat, sunglasses, and canoes. Park your vehicle in the canoe access parking lot located next to the campgrounds. We will be cleaning up the...

A walking stick makes a walk through the woods a more enjoyable event. Feel free bring a walking stick to personalize or choose from some precut limbs. We will strip the bark, decorate the walking sticks, and then use them on a hike. This is a joint program between Hamilton and Webster County Conservation. Register at www.mycountyparks.com Questions contact John Laird at 515-297-0423 or Karen...

Building better birders and citizens scientists continued in Workshop #2. Here you will be introduced to diurnal raptors of Iowa and how human activity impacts bald eagle reproduction success. Other topics will be about getting lead out of hunting and fishing and an introduction to nocturnal raptors of Iowa. Evening observation at Bjokboda Marsh and hike the Prairie Trail for spotting owls will round out...

Get hooked on fishing and meet the Hamilton County Law Enforcement officers at their annual fishing derby. This family event is free to the public and Iowa residents do not need a fishing license. Not only will kids interact with law enforcement in a positive manner, but there are prizes and free snacks. We will discuss fishing pole maintenance, fish ID, fishing regulations, water safety,...