CBJ_Indian Creek Layout

Indian Creek Nature Center
Celebrates
Amazing Space
GRAND OPENING
indiancreeknaturecenter.org 1

Welcome
On behalf of the board of directors, staff, and
volunteers I am pleased and excited to welcome you
to Indian Creek Nature Center’s new Amazing Space!
This project was envisioned by the community and
built for everyone to enjoy. Our grand opening
celebration features more than just a typical ribbon
cutting. We are going to celebrate all the great
opportunities Indian Creek Nature Center provides
to the community through a weekend-long celebration
with bands, food, and plenty of recreation and
outdoor education.
Throughout the last few years of visioning, planning
and construction, we have focused on achieving
two primary goals. The first was to build a world-class environmental learning and nature
center which supports people of all ages getting outdoors, learning, and having fun. Our new
center was designed to ensure that we expand our programs and draw in more people.
The second goal is equally as important, but much harder to achieve. As an organization
rooted in sustainable construction and renewable energy, we knew we had to commit to a
higher standard of sustainability than was present in the industry. We sought out and committed
to the International Living Future Institute’s Living Building Challenge as this higher standard.
Much more than just a construction program, the Living Building Challenge focuses on
true sustainability, which includes producing all of the project’s energy from on-site, renewable
energy and managing all water on site without pushing water into ditches, rivers or sewers.
As a nonprofit we have two bottom lines: our finances and our mission. If both of these don’t
operate for the positive, we will not meet the demands of our funders, the community, and
ourselves. I’m pleased to share with you that we have fully funded this project with $7.6 million,
exceeding our initial goal by over 10%! Included in that amount is $1 million in endowment
funds, which will support ongoing operations of this facility. We are financially committed to
sustain operations and this new facility without relying on a huge increase in contributions.
I am thankful to you—our donors, funders, cheerleaders and community members—who
supported this project in so many ways. Indian Creek Nature Center’s future is bright because
of you. I hope to see you at Amazing Space this month!
With gratitude,
John Myers
Executive Director
5300 Otis Road SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403-7134
319-362-0664
NatureCenter@indiancreeknaturecenter.org
indiancreeknaturecenter.org
Center and Creekside Shop Hours
Mon: CLOSED
Tues – Thurs: 9am-4pm | Fri: 9am-8pm
Sat: 9am-4pm | Sun: Noon – 4pm
Grounds and Trails
Sunrise to Sunset
September 2016
An advertising supplement of the Corridor Business Journal
Project Manager: Lindsey Flannery
Writer: Katie Mills Giorgio
Photographer: Shuva Rahim
Designer: Becky Lyons
Media Consultant: Kelly Meyer
2 indiancreeknaturecenter.org

Join Us
A whole weekend of
Grand Opening activities!
An event this exciting can’t be contained
in just one day! Join us September 16-18
for a whole host of exciting activities
to celebrate our Grand Opening.
Grand Opening Weekend features the
Connection Ceremony (our version of
a ribbon cutting) on Friday, September
16th at 11 a.m., and continues with a
full schedule of tours, live music, food
trucks, happy hours, guided trail hikes,
kids’ crafts, evening campfires and more
throughout the weekend!
All activities are FREE and
open to the public. You
don’t want to miss this
incredible weekend of fun
at the area’s most amazing
new destination.
■ Guided Naturalist Hikes
■ Sunrise Yoga
■ Make and Take Crafts
■ Building Tours
■ Music on the Patio
■ Visit the New Butterfly Hoop House
■ Bike Ride from NewBo Market to
Indian Creek Nature Center
■ Tales at the Bonfire
■ Clay Crafts with the Ceramics Center
■ Face Painting
■ Birdwatching and Bagels
■ Lunch at the Creek—
Food trucks will be on site!
■ Raptor Talk
■ Insect Safari
■ Full Moon Night Hike
For more information and times visit
http://indiancreeknaturecenter.org/amazing-space-grand-opening/
indiancreeknaturecenter.org 3

Isn’t it Amazing?
We are so excited to share our new Amazing Space with
you! The purpose of Indian Creek Nature Center has always
been to promote a sustainable future by nurturing individuals
through environmental education, providing leadership
in land protection and restoration, and encouraging responsible
interaction with nature. Check out these amazing
features of our new interpretive center and campus that will
help us do just that!
Outdoor Patio/Deck — Before you even set foot inside,
you’ll enjoy our outdoor patio and adjacent deck which overlooks
a new pond. A great space for educational programs,
this area will also serve as a lovely spot for events and just
another outdoor space where Indian Creek Nature Center
members, friends and visitors can sit and enjoy nature’s
beauty.
Auditorium — Our new auditorium is a beautiful, spacious
room where many a Nature Center program will be
held. Stunning reclaimed wood walls are a key feature. Plus,
an art gallery wall along one side will allow us to feature the
work of local artists. And thanks to the adjacent full-service
kitchen, we are excited to host our annual Maple Syrup Festival
and other events here.
Exhibit Hall — When you walk into the Nature Center,
you’ll find yourself in the Exhibit Hall, with a beautiful view
straight through the all-glass Bird Room to the woods
beyond. The Exhibit Hall features an interactive watershed
exhibit, and a 10 foot tall prairie root on display. In the future
it will contain additional permanent and changing elements.
Conference Room and Classrooms — Our new conference
room and classrooms are wonderful spaces for learning,
brainstorming and sharing. We are so excited to have
these designated areas now available for our mission-focused
educational programming.
Bird Room — This wonderful space at the back of the Nature
Center allows visitors to comfortably observe birds that
inhabit Nature Center property. Large windows on all sides
give the sense that you are connected to nature. The special
glass panels feature a product called ORNILUX, which has a
patterned, UV-reflective coating, making it visible to birds
while remaining virtually transparent to the human eye. The
glass has proved to be effective at mitigating bird-window
collisions.
Host Your Event Here!
Our new space is the perfect spot for hosting a variety of
events, from corporate meetings and retreats to community
celebrations and wedding receptions. For more information
please visit http://indiancreeknaturecenter.org/our-facilities/
rentals/ or call Rachel at 319-362-0664.
4 indiancreeknaturecenter.org

CONGRATULATIONS!
Thank you for including us in your quest to
build for a more sustainable future.
Solum Lang Architects, L.L.C. I 1101 Old Marion Road NE, Cedar Rapids, IA I 319.862.0384 I solumlangarchitects.com
indiancreeknaturecenter.org 5

We are all about sustainability
As Indian Creek Nature Center set out to create a new facility,
we knew we wanted to design a building and site that
comprehensively expand our mission of sustainability. Long
a leader in energy efficiency and runoff prevention design
and technologies, the Nature Center was ready to go beyond
LEED platinum standards and take the next bold step:
accepting the Living Building Challenge.
The International Living Future Institute’s Living Building
Challenge requires the Nature Center to: protect the site and
natural resources; prove the building’s performance; manage
rainwater on site; meet high indoor-air quality standards;
avoid a red-list of environmentally toxic materials, such as
mercury and PVC; source materials locally; recognize that
everyone has a right to nature; and educate visitors on the
value and beauty of nature.
As the new building took shape, we needed to find creative
and innovative solutions to meet the Challenge. Today,
we are proud to be the first nature center working toward
Living Building Challenge certification. This means that this
amazing space — both during construction and as we look
to many successful years of use by the community — attempts
to make zero impact on the environment.
It’s a learning lab, with interactive display,
to study how to add solar energy to our
mix of energy sources.
What does innovation look like?
At Amazing Space, Alliant Energy and
Indian Creek Nature Center are exploring
the path to a clean energy future.
alliantenergy.com/solar
© 2016 Alliant Energy 2663274 8/16 MJ
6 indiancreeknaturecenter.org

Bankers Trust is proud
to support Indian
Creek Nature Center.
Congratulations on
your new facility.
Main Office
221 3rd Avenue SE
(319) 896-7777
Blairs Ferry Office
400 Blairs Ferry Road NE.
(319) 221-1230
BankersTrust.com
indiancreeknaturecenter.org 7

Here are just some of the building features that
help us achieve the Living Building Challenge:
■ Photovoltaic (solar) panels, mounted on the roof and the ground, power the building
with over 100 percent of energy needs. The building is connected to the energy
grid so excess electricity produced at peak sunlight hours is sent to Alliant Energy
for other customers to use. Over the course of the year the solar panels are estimated
to produce at least 20 percent more electricity than needed, making the interpretive
center a NetZero energy building – one of the first in Iowa.
■ All stone used on the project comes from Weber Stone Company of Anamosa,
harvested directly from the on-site quarry located only 21 miles from Indian Creek
Nature Center. By sourcing stone locally, we reduced carbon emissions from transporting
materials to the site.
■ The HardiePlank siding used on the building’s exterior is made from cement. The
product was chosen to increase the longevity of the building; it nearly eliminates
the waste that’s generated when wood or vinyl siding needs to be replaced. Hardie-
Plank has a wood-texture type finish, but will stand up to inclement weather, hot
summer sun, and woodpeckers better than wood siding.
■ In addition to providing longevity and protection, the steep roof panels are more
sustainable than asphalt-based shingles. The color, aged copper, also was chosen as
it is certified to reduce heat island effects.
■ All interior and exterior lighting is LED and designed to operate at peak efficiency,
using both occupancy and daylighting sensors to automatically adjust light to optimal
levels.
■ Light sensor systems help control energy use. Watt Stopper daylighting sensors
measure the total light level from daylight in each room, then adjust electric
lighting levels as appropriate. Watt Stopper occupancy sensors use passive infrared
technology and ultrasonic technology to detect the occupancy in each room, then
adjust lighting based on occupancy. Occupancy sensors only turn the lights on if
the daylighting sensors identify that not enough light is present in the space.
8 indiancreeknaturecenter.org

Congratulations
Indian Creek Nature Center
on your
Amazing Space!
CONSTRUCTION CO. INC.
■ Tectum ceiling panels are a noise control product made from wood fiber. The
panels are made in the Midwest from Wisconsin Aspen trees—wood certified
by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The Wisconsin Aspen is a self-propagating
tree. When cut, a new tree will begin to grow back from its root
structure. No chemicals are used in the production of any wood purchased by
Tectum Inc.
■ EcoBatt insulation combines sand and recycled glass with ECOSE binder technology
for greater sustainability. It is based on rapidly renewable, bio-based
material—up to 70% less energy intensive than traditional binders. ECOSE
Technology is a revolutionary, more sustainable binder that contains no phenol,
formaldehyde, acrylics or artificial colors.
■ Several types of tankless water heaters are used in the building, including AccuMix
EX8280T and AccuMix MT005240T. Both units are designed to minimize
energy use by producing hot water instantaneously when a hot water tap or
dishwasher is turned on. These water heaters are electric powered—all hot
water is produced using solar energy.
■ Plentiful daylight and fresh air are important strategies for increasing the
overall health and wellbeing of building dwellers while also providing beautiful
views of nature. The Marvin windows are double-paned and contribute to
the overall energy efficiency of the building. Windows are used on each side
of the building and in every room people will inhabit.
■ Forest Sustainability Council (FSC) certification ensures that wood products
come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social
and economic benefits. FSC-certified lumber is used throughout the building.
■ Many decorative wooden pieces inside the building were manufactured using
wood harvested from Indian Creek Nature Center’s own property. This wood
was either blown down in storms or removed for land management purposes.
When the wood was milled, dried, and finished it was turned into floor baseboards,
Creekside Shop doors, the conference room table, and reception desk.
■ Recycled wood lines the auditorium walls. This wood was saved from the
landfill by Indian Creek Nature Center staff and volunteers. With the expansion
of Tower Terrace Road through Marion, a 100-year-old barn had to be torn
down to accommodate this development. The ICNC team spent one full week
dismantling the barn, saving tons of material from entering the landfill.
Let Dave Schmitt Construction be your worry-free contractor
250 50th Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
(319) 365-8669
daveschmittconstruction.com
indiancreeknaturecenter.org 9

Sustainability and the Outdoors
The project’s commitment to sustainability
extends to the outdoors as well.
■ The wetland is designed to capture roof and ground water from the east
side of the building and the hill behind the building. The wetland is divided
into a series of cells, each one progressively bigger, allowing the water to
expand and contract based upon the season. The wetland is a critical part
of the water management strategy. It also provides habitat for fish, turtles,
frogs and other wildlife.
■ A rain garden is designed to handle excessive volumes of rainwater and
runoff. The plant selection and design will keep all roof and ground water
from the west half of the building. Native plant species will release the
water back into the atmosphere through evapotranspiration, a process
created when standing water evaporates at the same time as plant leaves
transpire water vapor into the atmosphere. Leaves release water vapor
when they “breathe” just as humans do. The rain garden provides a sense of
beauty and function. It is also connected to the bioswales as an overflow.
■ ICNC uses three bioswales throughout the campus to handle water.
Bioswales are natural “holding tanks” designed to capture water and
release it back into the atmosphere through evapotranspiration, as well as
infiltrating it back into the ground. ICNC’s bioswales, landscaped elements
that create a drainage course, are excavated 15 feet deep and filled with a
foot and a half of rock. A mix of 80% topsoil, 10% sand, and 10% compost is
then filled into the hole and the slopes of each side are planted with native
species. The mix is specifically designed for this site.
Congratulations!
An Amazing Team for An Amazing Space
From footings to finishing touches, SystemWorks is proud to have been part
of the Indian Creek Nature Center’s exceptional team. SystemWorks provided
building envelope commissioning, mechanical systems commissioning,
and testing, adjusting and balancing services. We will also be monitoring
the building’s performance into the future. For a look inside the process,
check out our blog at www.systemworksllc.com/living-building-challenge.
SystemWorks LLC | 409 Fifth Street, West Des Moines, IA 50265 | phone: 515.975.0575 | fax: 515.255.1155
10 indiancreeknaturecenter.org

■ A landscape connects people with place. It immerses
guests in the natural beauty and ecology
of the region. The landscaping plan embraces the
natural diversity of Iowa species. Having evolved
here, the plants are self-sustaining, able to handle
Iowa’s cold winters and dry summers. They
will support the wildlife that lives here. Many are
perennial, requiring no watering, replanting, or fertilizing.
The prairie plants, including wild rose and
pale purple coneflowers, have deep root systems
that take nutrients and moisture from deep underground,
absorbing rainwater and preventing erosion.
Above ground, the plants provide shelter and
forage for pollinators, birds and mammals. Native
linden and pecan trees will provide shade for the
parking lot and activity field. Hazelnut and witchhazel
shrubs will provide wind and snow breaks.
The chosen species will demonstrate how native
plants and trees can enrich yards, providing shade,
beauty and pollination. They also have edible nuts,
flowers and fruits, creating a multilayered edible
landscape for visitors of all species to explore and
enjoy.
■ Permeable pavers are designed to allow rainwater
to seep into the ground where it falls, rather than
shedding it off elsewhere. ICNC’s project uses a
combination of concrete and permeable pavers
to manage water flow, directing excess water into
bioswales before it is evaporated into the atmosphere
or infiltrated into the aquifer. All of ICNC’s
permeable pavers sit on a rock base, creating mini
holding tanks designed to capture the water rather
than pushing it off into ditches or the watershed.
CONGRATULATIONS
Indian Creek Nature Center!
We are proud to help support
your vision of a sustainable future.
doubleknot
We help nonprofits increase participation and
simplify administration so they can focus on
what really matters: delivering their mission.
Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust congratulates
AMAZING SPACE
on its Grand Opening!
• Membership Management
• Ticketing and Admissions
• Event and Program Registration
• Reservations and Rentals
• Donations and Fundraising
• Online, On-Site and Mobile Sales
including Sales Station for iOS
www.doubleknot.com
408.971.9120
MEMBER FDIC | EQUAL HOUSING LENDER
indiancreeknaturecenter.org 11

New Space Means New Programming
As excited as we are for the community to see our new Amazing
Space, we also need to remember that this is more than just a new
building. Indian Creek Nature Center is all about connecting people
with the beauty and wonder of nature. And having this new space
allows us to design our programming for the future.
Indian Creek Nature Center’s programs are mission-driven, using
environmental education to nurture people to become stewards of the
natural world. As we progress in our new chapter as a nature center, we
will grow our educational opportunities to reach more audiences with
diverse interests.
First, we will increase our focus on outdoor recreation opportunities.
We have identified a desire within the Cedar Rapids community and
beyond to explore the great outdoors with new and more frequent recreation
opportunities. ICNC wants to be a place where people can learn
new skills, gain knowledge of an outdoor sport, and find solace outside.
An outdoor film festival, slacklining workshops, and naturalist-guided
hikes are all on the schedule for the coming year. People want to see the
Nature Center as a resource for outdoor activity and as a place to escape
from busy lives. It’s a place to soak in the natural beauty of an Iowa
landscape.
Our exciting new outdoor amphitheater — which can hold up to 500
people -- will give us the opportunity to add a whole new strand of programming
that features performances and a community concert series.
And our outdoor nature classrooms will help expand our mission of
connecting the next generation of nature lovers to the outdoor world.
CONGRATS
ON YOUR NEW BUILDING
OUR SERVICES:
Total Facility Cleaning
Construction Site Cleanup
Carpet Cleaning
Hard Surface Floor Work
Office Cleaning
Industrial Cleaning
Manufacturing Cleaning
Health Care Cleaning
Proud to be part of such an amazing project!
Resourceful.
Responsive | Reliable
3509 J St SW, Cedar Rapids
319-743-9860
www.cedarrapidsjanitorial.com
BRICK · PAVERS · STONE · RETAINING WALLS · FIRE PITS
LANDSCAPE PRODUCTS · PONDS · LANDSCAPE LIGHTING
CONCRETE MASONRY · READY MIX CONCRETE
Cedar Rapids (319) 363-0233 | Coralville (319) 354-1003 | Eldridge (563) 285-2565
www.kingsmaterial.com
We are proud to be a part of the design and construction
observation team for Indian Creek Nature Center’s new
Amazing Space!
Cedar Rapids, IA | (319) 366 8321
terracon.com/cedar-rapids
Env ironme nta l Faciliti es G e ote chnic a l M a t e rial s
12 indiancreeknaturecenter.org

At the Nature Center we take pride in Iowa’s heritage as a farming state. With our
recently received gift of Sugar Grove Farm we have started visioning sustainable agriculture
programs and workshops to educate future farmers of Iowa. As an organization
that continues to be a leader in sustainability and to showcase restoration and conservation
of land, we feel it is our responsibility to take agriculture beyond traditional
practices, pushing to reach excellence through sustainable, environmentally friendly
practices. Concerns like water quality, erosion, and health and wellness through food
are topics that will guide our programs. With this newly acquired property we have
plans to offer a CSA (Community Sustainable Agriculture program), gardening/farming
classes, and homesteading workshops.
While we continue to grow our programming and respond to community needs, we
will maintain our focus on education through field trips, summer camps, and exciting
exhibits at our new space. We can’t wait to see you at Indian Creek Nature Center!
Congratulations
Amazing Space
We’re proud to have installed your fire sprinkler system
Estimating
Design
Fabrication
Installation
Service
Inspections
“We save lives and property by designing, installing and servicing fire protection systems.”
CONTINENTAL-FIRE.COM
(319) 364-0585
THANK YOU
FOR YOUR
PARTNERSHIP!
The Trees Forever mission is to plant and
care for trees and the environment by
empowering people, building community
and promoting stewardship.
Brecke Mechanical
Congratulates
Indian Creek on the
opening of
Amazing Space
COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS
HVAC • REFRIGERATION • BOILERS • PLUMBING
EXCAVATION • PROCESS PIPING • MILLWRIGHT
www.brecke.com
Sustainable - Progressive - Living Building Challenge
Congratulations On Your Achievements!
PERSONALIZED AUDIT, ACCOUNTING AND TAX SERVICES
koppenhavercpas.com
204 Glenn Street SE, Suite 1, Mount Vernon
319-895-6001
BIG SHOUT-OUT TO
THE SUN
FOR MAKING THIS
NET-ZERO PROJECT
A SHINING SUCCESS
Volunteers planting trees at the nature center
during Earth Week Blitz 2016.
770 7th Avenue - Marion
319-373-0650
www.treesforever.org
CEDAR RAPIDS
4140 F Ave NW
(319) 396-7055
DUBUQUE
11921 Sherrill Rd
(563) 583-4852
PROUD TO HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE TEAM
TO HELP THIS LIVING BUILDING CHALLENGE
PROJECT BLOSSOM IN OUR COMMUNITY!
indiancreeknaturecenter.org 13

First forty years:
Highlights
1979:
Ecological restoration begins with the planting of the first prairie.
1980:
The City of Cedar Rapids and Indian Creek Nature Center cooperated
to develop the Sac & Fox Trail and have it designated as a National
Recreational Trail.
1986:
The beloved Maple Sugarhouse was built. Sugaring remains one of
the most popular programs at the Nature Center.
1993:
Solar panels were first purchased and used at ICNC to commit to sustainable
energy-producing initiatives.
1994:
Additional farmland was purchased and the Nature Center began
restoring its prairies, oak woodlands, and wetlands.
TODAY:
Indian Creek Nature Center owns and/or manages nearly 500 acres
of wondrous natural areas featuring brilliant wildflowers, wildlife,
woodlands, prairies, and wetlands.
Growing with you for over 100 years
5201 Nursery Rd SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
319-396-7038
www.HughesNursery.com
A Nationally Known and
Respected Company
Serving the Landscape Beautification
Needs of the Local Cedar Rapids Area
14 indiancreeknaturecenter.org

BUILD GREEN, BUILD STRONGER, BUILD FASTER
SUPER ENERGY EFFICIENT - SUPERIOR COMFORT
Community Montessori School
Proud Proud SIP SIP Supplier to to the the Indian Creek Hills Nature Center Amazing Space!! Space!!
(800)792-SIPS | Louisville, KY
www.FischerSIPS.com
indiancreeknaturecenter.org 15

Thank you
Indian Creek Nature Center
You’ve created an amazing space
at an amazing place.
Thank you for sharing your
vision of what can happen when
a love of nature is nurtured.
Downtown Cedar Rapids
16 indiancreeknaturecenter.org