Iowa Wildlife Center

05/14/2026

AMES, IA—Ok, it's Ames' turn! Grab the family and come experience our final public release of over-wintered Big Brown Bats at Brookside Park.

Today, Thursday, May 14, the Iowa Wildlife Center (IWC), with cooperation from the City of Ames Parks and Recreation, is hosting “Best Wishes and Good Hunting, Bats!”, a release of Big Brown Bats, at Brookside Park. Meet near the baseball diamond.

These bats are among some of bats presented to IWC for care between October and April. Staff and volunteers are excited to share this unique experience with the public at what has become an annual event. Here are the activities and timeline planned for this short and sweet pop-up event:

• 7:30 p.m. Welcome attendees at the designated location
• 7:35-8:05 p.m. Q & A and viewing of live education bats up-close!
• 8:05-8:15 p.m. Prepare attendees and bats for the release
• 8:25 p.m. Begin releasing bats!

“The Brookside Park ‘Best Wishes and Good Hunting!’ Bat Release is a perfect way to celebrate the end of winter and the renewal that spring brings,” says IWC Executive Director Marlene Ehresman. “Come help us celebrate and wish the these ‘sky puppies’ good hunting as they take to the skies to find their insect meals! Thank them in advance for all the good they will do for humans.”

The event will be postponed to Friday if it is raining, so watch for announcements today from either the Iowa Wildlife Center page. No pets please.

05/14/2026

We'll tell you more about a special project regarding Lake Laverne in a future post, but kudos to Merry Rankin, ISU Sustainability Director, for the idea of sharing the fish with area wildlife rehabilitators, to ISU for supporting the idea, and to the participants for donating their catches! (Note: our own Jenna Maag's husband and daughter are in the lower right of this collage -- yes, Ellie caught fish!)

Thanks to all who attended the Free Fishing Event at Lake LaVerne on Saturday, May 9! We had an amazing turnout, and enjoyed seeing everybody having fun in nature. Fish caught during the event include bluegill, largemouth bass, black crappie and yellow sunfish. Catches that were not taken by fishers were shared with area bird rehabilitators currently supporting migratory species. To access the event photo gallery, visit the Live Green website and click "Multimedia," then "Photo Gallery." Again, thank you to all who participated, we had a great time.

05/13/2026

Des Moines, IA—Grab the family and come experience the release of dozens of over-wintered Big Brown Bats at Des Moines’ own Gray’s Lake Park.

Today, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, from 7:30-8:45 p.m., the Iowa Wildlife Center (IWC) and Des Moines Parks and Recreation are hosting “Best Wishes and Good Hunting, Bats!”, a release of 28 Big Brown Bats, at Gray’s Lake Park, 2101 Fleur Dr., Des Moines. Meet at the Northwest parking lot near the boat ramp.

These bats are among some of bats presented to IWC for care between October and April. Staff and volunteers are excited to share this unique experience with the public at what has become an annual event. Here are the activities and timeline planned for this short and sweet pop-up event:

• 7:30 p.m. Welcome attendees at the designated location
• 7:35-8:05 p.m. Q & A and viewing of live education bats up-close!
• 8:05-8:15 p.m. Walk to nearby release site to prepare attendees and bats for the release
• 8:25 p.m. Begin releasing bats!

“The Gray’s Lake ‘Best Wishes and Good Hunting!’ Bat Release is a perfect way to celebrate the end of winter and the renewal that spring brings,” says IWC Executive Director Marlene Ehresman. “Come help us celebrate and wish the these ‘sky puppies’ good hunting as they take to the skies to find their insect meals! Thank them in advance for all the good they will do for humans.”

The event will be postponed if it is raining, so watch for announcements today from either the Iowa Wildlife Center page or Des Moines Parks and Recreation. No pets please.

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05/12/2026

"We're not coming out until you get more meat!" Our young fox kits are growing quickly and they could use some generous human help. We don't need fish or seafood or anything with spices, but everything else would be welcome. We prefer you deliver it to our property near the Ledges State Park at a pre-arranged time, but we may be able to make other arrangements. Please email [email protected] and cc [email protected]. one of us will get back to you. Please include your phone number. Thank you!

05/09/2026

Join us tomorrow for a day all about birds at Iowa BirdFest 2026!

Click on the poster to view information on the walks, lectures and booths to learn about Iowa birds.

05/03/2026

If you can't, or won't, turn lights out during the year (motion detection lights are great), or during the migration season, at least firm them out tonight. It is forecast to be a peak migration night. Birdcast.org has more information.

Showcasing the Spectacle of Bird MigrationCurious about when, where, and how far birds migrate? Want to watch migration in your area as it happens? Find all this and more...Explore Migration Tools MYSTERY OF THE MISSING MIGRANTS | © Charley Harper Art Studio | Used with Permission Mission We use we...

04/21/2026

ED Marlene here. Today is Volunteer Recognition Day. Back in 2007, when my two co-founders, Elaine Thrune and Lynne Brookes, sat at my dining room table helping me envision what would become the Iowa Wildlife Center, I had no idea how many people would step forward to build this organization from that first day, to maintain it, and to help it thrive and grow into the organization it is today.

Several volunteers have been with us for 15 years, and many for more than 10! The passion and commitment to our mission is extraordinary. Whether transporters, animal care team members, administrative task life savers (mine), veterinary committee advisors and doers, event planners and helpers, electricians and carpenters and computer techs, WildWay stewards and advisors, or board members, it takes a monstrous amount of time, expertise, and heart to create something like this. And, we're not done yet. Perhaps our most exciting period is just around the bend. And it is with and because of volunteers. With great fondness, I salute each one of you.

04/18/2026

It’s Day 2️⃣ of Electric Warlock Tattoo’s Grand Re-opening flash sale in support of Iowa Wildife Center.

Check out some of their flash sale designs!

04/18/2026

It’s race day! We hope to see you there.