Conservationists work to open doors of Nature Center

With the exterior renovation complete on the Dickinson County Nature Center, members of the Dickinson County Conservation Board are now trying to find the funds to complete the interior of the structure. (Photo by Charles Vigdal/Special to the DCN)

With the exterior work now complete, efforts have moved to an interior renovation project.

John Walters, executive director for the Dickinson County Conservation Board, says the Conservation Board put out a call for bids to complete the entire Nature Center project this spring. The low bid came in at $817,880.

Funding pledged by the Dickinson County Supervisors, University of Okoboji Foundation and other entities leaves the board with a shortfall of approximately $311,200.

"There was some wishful thinking on our part that the bids would come in lower," said Walters, "but it didn't surprise me that we were looking at the $311,000 shortfall."

The Conservation Board explored the option of securing loans to bridge the funding gap, but could not do so without the support of the Dickinson County Supervisors.

Now, the board is looking to revise the project.

"We're going to try to get the project scaled back to fit our budget," said Walters. The architects, Cannon Moss Brygger and Associates, and the low bidder, Eckhart Construction, were meeting this week to discuss project revisions. Walters said he expects the Conservation Board to meet with both the architects and contractors late this week to review their ideas.

"We probably won't be finishing the entire interior - just the first floor," said Walters. "Hopefully the numbers work out so that we can actually get a floor opened up by late winter or early spring next year."

Donations accepted

While the current funding will complete a portion of the project, Dickinson County Naturalist Barbara Tagami is asking to the public to help finish the interior renovations on the county's nature center.

"We are appealing to people to help us open the doors," said Dickinson County Naturalist Barbara Tagami. "This project has been going on for too long. This Nature Center is important for the community. It's important for the generations coming up to have a place where they can get in touch with or back in touch with our natural world... Once you get acquainted with nature, you care about it and when it comes time to make decisions, you make good ones."

Tagami urges those interested in opening the doors to the Nature Center to give in any way possible.

"Save your pennies. Set up a lemonade stand," said Tagami. "This is your nature center."

Even if just one floor of the Nature Center is completed this year, Tagami says they will continue to raise funds until the full project can be complete.

Donations may be mailed to Conservation Foundation of Dickinson County, P.O. Box 973, Okoboji, Iowa 51355. Those interested may also call Barbara Tagami for donation information at 330-1080.

About the Dickinson County Nature Center

The building for the nature center is the former Back Porch restaurant facility and was donated to the conservation board in 2001. Later that year, the building was moved to its current location at Kenue Park.

When complete, the center will feature both indoor and outdoor displays, walk and learn opportunities, and nature programming. The center will feature exhibit space, classrooms, a lab, office facilities, a kitchenette, a library, and a gathering area.