NOTICE: Attendees must register for the event online before attending!

NOTICE: Watercraft will not be provided - attendees must bring their own watercraft to the start access.

Where: Clay & O’Brien Counties: Wanata Park to Prairie Heritage Center ~ 5.25 miles. Meet at Wanata Park Access, just south of Peterson, at 9:00am to offload canoes/kayaks and gear. We will drive all our vehicles to the take out (Prairie Heritage Center), and return to the put-in (Wanata) in as few vehicles as possible—often referred to as the “shuttle”.

Important Notice: This stretch of river is shorter but will require you to avoid or maneuver around obstructions such as log jams or woody debris in the river—due to some of the challenges, it’s not suited for first time paddlers. It’s important that you have good control of your canoe or kayak. Depending on weather, water levels, and other factors, this trip may take around 4 hours total, so plan accordingly. Registration is required, so we can communicate with you in case of a change of plans or cancellation.

Canoes, kayaks, life jackets, paddles, and other gear will not be provided – participants must bring their own. Life jackets must be worn when on water. Participation is limited so register early so you don’t miss out.

What to bring: Bring water, snacks, insect repellant and sunblock; and for comfort, consider wearing quick drying clothing (not cotton), a hat/cap and/or sunglasses to protect you from the sun, and water shoes (or, old sneakers that you don’t mind getting wet and muddy). Sandals and flip-flops are not ideal—closed-toed footwear is the best way to protect your feet.

Description: Experience five miles of the Little Sioux River as it winds its way along the stretch of the Water Trail between Peterson and the Prairie Heritage Center. This presentation will introduce you to the wildlife of the Little Sioux on the Little Sioux! Jim Pease has paddled over 2200 miles of Iowa's rivers for the Iowa Water Trails Program. The Little Sioux is one of his favorites. The prairies, savannas, and woodlands provide paddlers with opportunities to see a wide variety of wildlife. Come learn about the wildlife while paddling the Little Sioux River!

Trip Lead: A native of Burlington, Iowa, Jim Pease has over 5 decades of experience as a front-line interpreter, professor of interpretation, and writer and consultant on many interpretive and environmental education projects. He has taught thousands, from youth through senior citizens, in formal and non-formal settings, written dozens of publications for professionals and lay people alike, and communicated by a regular statewide radio program, TV segments, podcasts, and websites. His experience includes teaching interpretation to undergraduate and graduate students for 24 years, research on impact of interpretive and education strategies, over two decades as an Extension Wildlife Specialist, director of Iowa’s NatureMapping and Master Conservationist programs, and fifteen years in youth development and natural resources. He has taught and conducted projects internationally in Costa Rica, Brazil, Panama, Russia, and Taiwan. He has received numerous awards for his work, including the prestigious Master Interpreter from the National Association for Interpretation, the Distinguished Science Teacher Award from the Iowa Academy of Science, and the Leopold Award for Lifetime Achievement. In 2022 he received the Hagie Award from the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation for his volunteer work. Drake University named him one of the 2023 Nature Champions at the Iowa Nature Summit. He is now retired from Iowa State University, has emeritus status in the Natural Resource Ecology and Management Department at ISU and is active speaking, writing, consulting, and leading international wildlife trips to Central and South America and Africa. He helped design and conduct the Master River Stewards Program for Iowa Rivers Revival and has paddled over 2200 miles of Iowa rivers, conducting biological and interpretive surveys for the Iowa Water Trails program. Jim holds leadership positions with Story County Conservation Board and Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park, and he can still be heard occasionally on Iowa Public Radio in his wildlife program on “Talk of Iowa”.

Explore Prairie Heritage Center River Access

Explore the Inkpaduta Canoe Trail from Riverside Access to Prairie Heritage Center

James Pease