City of Lincoln
Parks & Recreation
Parks & Recreation
lincoln.ne.gov
The Pioneers Park Nature Center includes ponds, woodlands, prairies, wetlands, and a stream, and is located at the west end of Pioneers Park. Established in 1963, the Center is operated by the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department. It offers visitors a peaceful retreat and an opportunity to appreciate and learn about their natural environment.
Pioneers Park Nature Center is a 668 acre wildlife sanctuary with over 8 miles of hiking trails and two interpretive buildings. Four large steel art panels, erected in 2007, welcome visitors at the entrance.
The Chet Ager Building features hands-on and live animal exhibits related to woodlands and wetlands. An herb garden and areas landscaped with plants that attract birds and butterflies are located near the building.
The Prairie Building includes a visitor's services wing completed in 2007 that features many 'green' building techniques including a green roof planted with prairie species, hands-on and live animal exhibits related to the prairie, a children's corner, and a gift shop. The building also houses Nature Center offices, an education wing and the Malinovskis Auditorium, a meeting space available for rent. Prairie grasses and wildflowers surround the building.
Outdoor animal exhibits include bison, elk, and white-tailed deer herds, non-releasable raptors, vultures, and wild turkeys.
For the protection of the land and everyone’s enjoyment please leave plants and animals undisturbed. No picking or collecting is allowed and pets should be left at home.
Visit the new addition to the Prairie Building that features many 'green' building techniques, prairie murals by Mark Marcuson, new exhibits including the photos of Michael Forsberg, and a children's corner. Don't miss the four new steel entrance art panels featuring the animals and plants of the ecosystems found here at the Nature Center.
Located on a hill overlooking prairie and pond, your organization can rent the Nature Center’s Malinovskis Auditorium as a retreat/conference center, a meeting room away from the hustle and bustle of the city. AV equipment, a kitchenette, and flexible seating are available.
Auditorium capacity is approximately 80 with tables and chairs. The rental rate is $37.50 per hour, $265/day during regular operating hours and $50 per hour after hours with a minimum rental of 3 hours. The rental period must include set-up and clean-up time. Rental arrangements should be made at least three weeks in advance of reservation date.
Call (402) 441-7895 for more information and to make a reservation.
Pioneers Park Nature Center has been a destination for birding enthusiasts since it was founded in 1963. 244 species have been sighted; refer to our bird list, Birds of Pioneers Park Nature Center. The bird garden attracts a variety of feathered visitors that can be viewed in year-round comfort through large windows in the Chet Ager Bulding. In addition, a wide range of bird related programs are offered each year including bird banding demonstrations, bird feeder watches, a basic bird identification class, and bird walks.
Our Bird List 43 KB PDF
Call (402) 441-7895 for more information.
Add Some Nature to Your Birthday!
Treat your child to a special birthday at the Nature Center. An hour nature program,
including a hike and indoor animal time, is followed by 45 minutes in the building
for your birthday activities. We provide space and a birthday favor for each child,
and you provide refreshments. Themes include Insect Insights, Reptiles for Fun, or
Birds that Whoo Who. $6/child up to 15 children, $60 minimum.
Call 441-7895 for reservations at least two weeks in advance.
Public Programs
Visitors may enjoy the Nature Center buildings and trails on their own or participate in scheduled programs.
A wide variety of programs for all ages are available at a minimal charge. These include nature camps, scout
badgework, fall hayrack rides, birding classes, and special events. Staff also presents natural history
programs to other facilities within the community.
Preschool
A Nature Center Preschool provides 3 - 5 year olds with
opportunities to learn through nature exploration.
School Programs
Throughout the year, the teacher-naturalist staff provide both on-site and outreach
environmental education programs for school children. Visits to the Center enable
children to explore nature in a hands-on manner that can seldom be managed in the
typical classroom setting.
The Nature Center is greatly assisted and enriched by its active corps of volunteers. In return, volunteers meet staff and other volunteers who enjoy nature and who care about the earth and about wildlife.
The Friends of the Pioneers Park Nature Center promote and support the development, programming, and operation of the Nature Center.
"From the Trails", the Nature Center’s quarterly newsletter.
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