It is our belief and goal at Calkins Nature Area that education is the key to ensuring a sustainable environment.  We strive to help people gain an understanding and appreciation for environment and all that encompasses it.  Calkins is unique because of its diverse opportunities waiting for the public and private sectors.  Two full-time Naturalists offer Environmental Education Programs to a wide array of people and age groups throughout the county.  Preschool students begin to explore the world of nature, school field trips expand their knowledge of Iowa's wildlife and habitats and visits to the nursing homes continue a lifetime of learning.  Environmental Education Programs help foster a better understanding about our natural world with a variety of programs including habitats, wildlife, geology, Native Americans, water, endangered species and numerous others.  Hopefully through our efforts we will instill an appreciation that will lead to the understanding of preservation.

The natural history museum is displayed for the public in the Calkins Interpretive Center.  The museum contains approximately 620 mounted specimens, an extensive egg collection, and Native American artifacts, and assorted rocks, minerals, and fossils.

The Ellsworth Community College Natural History Museum has acquired many collections from people across Iowa.  George D. Peck lived in LaPorte City, Iowa, in 1851.  Mr. Peck and his son, Morton, were avid naturalists and taxidermists collecting nearly 500 specimens.  Many of these specimens came from a two-year trip when Morton traveled to British Honduras.  The Peck family later moved to Oregon.  The specimens collected by the Peck family were bought by Mr. Ellsworth and moved to Iowa Falls and the Ellsworth College in 1904.

C.A. Bamber, an early contractor in Iowa Falls, contributed approximately 558 Native American projectile points to the natural history museum.

In 1998, Charles Peterson of Rockwell City, Iowa provided historical Native American artifacts for the Plains Indian display.

A recent addition to the museum is from Verne Newton--an extensive collection from Hardin County of Native North American artifacts.  It is a very significant addition.

A popular attraction at the Calkins Nature Area is a live wildlife exhibit featuring over 30 species of animals including pheasants, waterfowl, fallow deer and other mammals, raptors, reptiles, and many more!  This provides a unique educational opportunity for school students and public visitors to learn more about native and exotic wildlife.

You can learn more about our nature center by going here.