Five Things You May Not Know About Dodge
Dodge Nature Center is a resource for the entire community. Here are a few things you might not know about us:

1. Did You Know? Over 40,000 people visit Dodge each year

   At Dodge, you can have lunch with a deer. Dodge has miles of walking trails on three different properties that are open to the public. It’s a great place to take your lunch or coffee break and get in a nature walk at the same time. The Center is open daily from dawn until dusk for visitors and hikers. Visitors can hike our Marie and Lilly properties without checking in, however visitors to our main property need to sign-in and receive a visitor badge during school hours (9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.). Note to bird watchers: you’ll love our Lilly property.
   
   Click here for more information on our walking trails, trail maps, and directions to our properties.
   
   
2. Enjoy your wedding reception, corporate retreat, family reunion and other special events surrounded by nature. You probably already know that kids love to celebrate their birthdays at Dodge. But, we also have distinctive facilities that accommodate larger gatherings. The Aerie Room—which overlooks a lovely pond—accommodates up to 96 people for “sit down” events with meals, and 125 for standing receptions. For smaller groups, our Cottage Conference Room—which overlooks a prairie—is a great retreat space for business meetings and community gatherings.
   
   Click here for more information on our facilities, services and rates.
   
   
3. You don’t need to be a kid to enjoy Dodge. Dodge is known for its great programs for children and families. Many classes however, are designed just for adults. Throughout the year, our Community Education programs offer a variety of adult classes such as nature journaling, guided hiking, Tai chi exercise classes and programs for seniors. Want to learn how to attract butterflies to your garden? Want to learn about organic gardening?
   
   Click here for more about community education programs at Dodge.
   
   
4. Dodge sponsors community events all year long. Frosty Fun Festival. Golf Tournament. Halloween Extravaganza. Earth Day Celebration. Farm Festival. Fall Benefit. Pancake Breakfast. Music Concert in the Amphitheatre. Dodge is a busy place.
   
   We invite you to join in and get involved. To learn more about Dodge events, click here.
   
   
5. We love to garden at Dodge. Won’t you join us? Gardening is an important part of Dodge’s (and the state’s) heritage. Dodge has sponsored an ongoing family garden program for nearly 40 years. Today, the program focuses on organic gardening practices. Take a stroll throughout the Center to enjoy our heritage garden, our butterfly/hummingbird garden, native prairie gardens and the Vicenta Scarlett Flagpole Garden. Join the Dodge Nature Center Garden Club to lend a hand in caring for these lovely gardens.
   
   Contact jsanders@dodgenaturecenter.org for more information.