ICNCs Signature Spring Events Adapted for COVID Safety

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Indian Creek Nature Center has adapted two upcoming signature events — the Spring Plant & Art Sale and the 38th annual Maple Syrup Festival — for the safety of the community, staff and volunteers.

The Spring Plant & Art Sale begins today (Feb. 8) at noon with an online “grow-to-order” pre-sale, featuring native perennials, grasses, shrubs, trees and ground cover. The presale will remain open until noon on Feb. 24. Another round of sales will open April 21-28 and will include annuals, vegetables, art and any extra plants available from the first round of sales. Orders will be placed through the Nature Center’s website. Pick-ups will begin May 1.

The Nature Center’s signature Maple Syrup Festival, traditionally held over a weekend in March, will be adapted to a drive-thru model on one day only this year. From 8 AM to 12:30 PM on Saturday, March 20, the community will still be able to enjoy their favorite pancake breakfast featuring our delicious, fresh maple syrup on pancakes and sausage, now from the safety and comfort of their cars.

Meals will be $6 each and will include three pancakes, two sausage links and a portion of the Nature Center’s real, handcrafted maple syrup. People are welcome to purchase as many meals as they would like. Add-on items will also be available, including jars of ICNC’s honey and maple syrup, pints of maple syrup ice cream made by Dan and Debbie’s Creamery, and maple beer brewed by Iowa Brewing Company for those 21 years and older. Raffle tickets will also be available for purchase: one for $5 or five for $20. A number of prizes from local business partners will be randomly selected following the festival.

The Nature Center will still be offering in-person maple syruping programs throughout the month of March for $4 per person. These programs are open to the public and are a

wonderful learning opportunity for people of all ages. Learn how easy it is to tap maple trees and make delicious syrup, study historical sugaring methods, and see how weather, tree physiology and chemistry turn sap into syrup. While these 60-minute programs are held in-person, we do require masks and physical distancing, and please dress appropriately for the outdoors. The 38th annual Maple Syrup Festival and syruping programming is supported by the Linn County Legacy and Community Attraction Fund.

Both the Spring Plant & Art Sale and Maple Syrup Festival are beloved community events in Cedar Rapids, but also support the Nature Center’s nonprofit mission to provide environmental education programming and leadership in land protection and restoration in our community and beyond.

About Indian Creek Nature Center:

Located in Cedar Rapids, Indian Creek Nature Center is Iowa’s first and only privately owned and operated non-profit nature center. With 500 acres of land under its management, the Nature Center hosts thousands of visitors each year for nature-based programs and activities. ICNC’s mission is to promote a sustainable future by nurturing individuals through environmental education, providing leadership in land protection and restoration, and encouraging responsible interaction with nature.