Wildlife Species

With a keen eye, many of Iowa’s native wildlife species can be spotted year round while exploring the extensive network of nature trails at Calkins. There are miles of trail system on the grounds of Calkins Nature Area for exploration and discovery. Visitors can get an up-close view of Monarch metamorphism in the Shirley Welden Butterfly House and test their bird identification skills at the bird blind.

A few things that can be spotted at the wetland or along the Iowa River are:

• Ducks
• Frogs
• Salamanders
• Song birds
• Turtles

Museum

Calkins Nature Center contains a Native American and Natural History Museum that tells the story of the county’s ecological and cultural history. The museum is home to one of central Iowa’s largest collections of Native American artifacts dating back to the earliest inhabitants of North America. There is also a classroom, resource library and great room that is available for meetings and public programs.