Conservation reveals new nature center display

MT. PLEASANT — Henry County community members gathered at the Oakland Mills Nature Center for a cozy open house complete with crafts, games, and the reveal of the newest interactive display.

As a light dusting of snow gently fell to the ground, a soft glow of light welcomed guests to the warm nature center.

“There is a scavenger hunt, guessing game, crafts, and a hot coco bar,” Naturalist Danica Cox welcomed everyone as they entered.

Grabbing a clipboard with the scavenger hunt, guests wandered the nature center looking for things like a butterfly, mussel shell, swan, three rocks, and animal tracks.

They strolled along the path freshly painted by Conservation Operation Supervisor Dalton Thompson, Director Caleb Waters, and Iowa Wesleyan volunteer Evan Folker.

The trio also cleared the walls and applied a fresh coat of paint prior to the open house.

Waters’ pride and joy, however, is the new interactive tree display.

According to Thompson, they created the tree trunk with sprayed joint compound.

“We sprayed it with the joint compound and Steve Mendenhall painted the tree,” Thompson said.

“We worked long days to get it done, and we did,” Waters said.

While some kids climbed up the inside of the trunk to peer out a tree hollow, others enjoyed ring toss, ornament and snowflake crafts, and hot chocolate.

Naturalist Danica Cox and Assistant Naturalist Shania Hansen worked together to create the fun family friendly activities for the evening.

“We worked on it together before I went on maternity leave,” Cox said. “When it was time, I kind of just handed it over to her. Most of this is Shania.”

Hansen attributes many of her ideas to Pinterest, excluding the snowflake craft.

According to Cox, the conservation center was donated a number of hangers from the Walmart Distribution Center before COVID hit.

“It was supposed to be a fun craft, but when we tried to do it in 2020, there was COVID,” Cox said. “When we tried again in 2021, COVID was still a concern.”

Hansen and Cox say that the whole conservation staff is glad to finally put the many boxes of hangers to use.

Families left with bellies full of hot chocolate and treats and faces filled with smiles.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com