Wapsi River Environmental Education Center
The Wapsi River Environmental Education Center is located along the Wapsipinicon River and consists of 225 acres of upland and bottomland forests, grasslands, and wetlands. The Wapsi Center, along with Sherman Park across the river, provide a 432-acre complex offering a wide variety of uses.
- Education
- Nature
- Recreation
- Facilities
- Contact
- Register for Public Programs
- Rates & Rental Fees
- Waspi River Environmental News
- Wapsipinicon River Water Levels
- Wapsi River Environmental Education Center Map (Attached Below)
Center Goals
The Wapsi River Environmental Education Center provides multiple uses, with an emphasis on resource protection and environmental education. Specific goals include:
- protection of existing natural resources
- a comprehensive environmental education program
- providing limited outdoor recreation
- providing public access to the Wapsipinicon River
- managing the area to provide diverse wildlife habitat
- development of a Wapsipinicon River Greenbelt
You Can Help!
Are you a school teacher or a member of a civic organization that is looking for a community project? Please consider the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center. The Center has a constant need for supplies and equipment.
The Friends of the Wapsi Center is a citizens' support group providing assistance to the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center in the form of volunteers for programs, technical assistance, curriculum planning, financial support, and guidance in fulfilling the Center's goals.
[ Friends of the Wapsi Center ]
Need Information?
For more information on programs and facilities, the "Friends" Group, or making a contribution to the Center, contact us:
Wapsi River Center
31555 52nd Avenue
Dixon, Iowa 52745
563-328-3286
[email protected]
Project Partners
The Wapsi Center is managed and operated by Scott County Conservation. The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and QCCA helped with the original purchase of the property and fund raising.
- Scott County Conservation
http://www.scottcountyiowa.com/conservation/ - Quad-City Conservation Alliance
http://qccaexpocenter.com - Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
http://www.inhf.org
Attachments:
Features
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 - 10:30am
Once a month the Wapsi River EE Center will be hosting a day just for homeschoolers!
Joins us for themed programming led by our Naturalists! The goal of this series is to immerse children in the natural world and help them experience seasonal phenomena in a hands-on way.
Most appropriate for K-8th grades, though all ages welcome. There is a program fee of $3/person payable at registration. Please come prepared for the weather because muck of the planned programming will take place outdoors. Please bring a lunch.
October: Mix of wild foraging and natural art
Online registration is required for every participant (parents included). To register click on [ Click Title for Full Article ]
Saturday, October 18, 2025 - 10:00am
Come out and celebrate spooky season! Learn all about bones and how to identify different skulls, then take a hike to search for bones in the Wapsi woods. This program is open to all ages and is FREE.
Online registration is require: Bones
Saturday, October 25, 2025 - 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Learn how to use a bow and arrow in this Halloween themed, informative, free, and fun hands-on class. You’ll learn safety and proper archery techniques according to National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) guidelines. Children must be 9 years old or above to participate. Your targets will be Zombies!
*Children must be accompanied by an adult to participate
Online registration is required: Public Programs
Saturday, October 25, 2025 - 5:00pm
Join naturalist Michael J. Granger for an educational adventure to learn about mysterious and misunderstood animals. At 5:00 P.M. there will be a campfire available for your grilling needs. Please bring your own food items and we will provide the fire and roasting sticks! The hike will begin at 6:30 P.M. with a spooky scavenger hunt afterwards. Please bring a flashlight! Family fun for everyone.
Online registration is required: Halloween Hike
Saturday, October 25, 2025 - 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Join naturalist Mike for a chance to hunt pumpkins with an atlatl, a primitive hunting weapon originally used to hunt mastodon and bison. Fun for the whole family and outdoor enthusiasts alike!!! This program is weather permitting.
Online registration is required: Great Atlatl Pumpkin Hunt
Saturday, November 22, 2025 - 10:00am to 12:00pm
During this program, you will learn how to identify native mushrooms and which seasons they can be found. Then, we will take a hike outdoors to identify some of the fall mushrooms available during this time. This is a FREE program.
Online registration is required: Mushroom
Coming in 2026: Renovated Loop-Style Group Campground at Incahias
Big changes are coming to Incahias Campground in 2026 as a major renovation is underway to modernize and improve the group camping experience in Scott County. The new campground layout includes three circular camp loops, each designed to support small groups and families with improved access, modern amenities, and efficient traffic flow.
More details, maps, and reservation information will be posted as the project progresses.
- Camping Rules
- Hours ...