Events and Activities : Benton County Conservation Calendar of Events Summer 2025

Registration for all events is required by visiting https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Benton.aspx and are free unless otherwise stated.

Conservation Library Programs - Leveling Up: Monarch Metamorphosis
July 23rd 10:00am @ Vinton Public Library (510 2nd Avenue Vinton, IA 52349)
July 23rd 2:00pm @ Newhall Public Library (109 Railroad St, Newhall, IA 52315)
July 24th 1:30pm at Atkins Public Library (480 3rd Ave, Atkins, IA 52206)
Level up with monarchs at one of these fun and interactive library programs! Programs are free and suitable for all ages. No registration is required.

Build A Bug Hotel
July 12th, 10:00 AM at Benton County Nature Center
Insect hotels give solitary insects such as pollinators a place to rest and hide. Participants will be able to make their own insect hotel for their yard and learn about how they can aid traveling insects. We encourage you to bring your own mug to build your hotel out of, and all other materials will be provided. Participants must register at mycountyparks.com.

Ice Cream Science
July 11th, 2:30-4:00pm at Benton County Nature Center
Explore the chemistry that goes on behind making ice cream. During this tasty open-house style program, you will make your own ice cream in a bag and explore the Nature Center! This program is free and suitable for all ages. No registration required.

Firefly Festival
July 19th, 5pm-9pm at Benton County Nature Center
Live music by David Zollo, Food & beverages include Beast & Bird, That's So Cheesy, Recharge Coffee Co., 42° North Winery, & Cravin' Shavin's Shaved ice. Event partners joining the fun include Benton County Conservation Foundation, Benton County Historical Society, Iowa Learning Farms - Conservation Station, Tanager Place, Troutleaf Native Plants & Vinton guild of fine arts. Come for the good music, delicious food and beverages, fun crafts, and firefly education and catching! Follow our Facebook Event for more updates @bentoncountyparks

Natures Superheros!
July 25th, 10:00am at Benton County Nature Center; $8 per kid
Discover the real superheroes of nature-like specialized mammals, trees, and tiny insects that help keep our planet healthy. Kids (and adults) are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite superhero whether it's a comic book character, an animal, or a hero from their own imagination! Each child will get to design and create their very own superhero cape to take home. It's a fun-filled, hands-on program that combines creativity, learning, and a touch of superpower magic. Registration is required by visiting mycountyparks.com.

Sandhill Crane & Prairie Chicken Bus Tour
March 26th-28th, 2026 to North Platte, Nebraska
Each spring, more than 500,000 sandhill cranes gather in the Platte River valley during their northward migration. Cranes have been making this migration annually for thousands of years. The Platte is a "staging" area where the cranes stop to rest and replenish energy reserves before continuing on to their nesting grounds in Canada, Alaska and Siberia. It is the only major staging area on the sandhill cranes' northward migration. Approximately 80% of all sandhill cranes come to the Platte every spring. The concentration of cranes here is the greatest of anywhere in the world.

This 3-day tour will be packed with professional guided tours by Dusty Trails, LLC to view prairie chickens and sandhill cranes, a visit to Omaha's Downtown District, Golden Spike Tour, and more! Trip price includes deluxe motor coach transportation, hotel room, professional guides, entrance fees, two breakfasts, and tips. Participants will need to pay for lunches, dinners and incidentals on the trip.

Cost per person:

Single occupancy fee $1,050.00

Double occupancy fee $900.00

Triple occupancy fee $850.00

Quad occupancy fee $750.00

Advance registration by February 12th , 2026 is required by visiting https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Buchanan/Park/Fontana-Park/Events/27151/Sandhill-Crane-and-Prairie-Chicken-Bus-Tour-Registration-Deposit