The first-ever “Gifts From Nature” event will be hosted by Louisa County Conservation this weekend. 

Conservation Naturalist Laura Semken says participants are invited to the Langwood Education Center located near Wapello this Saturday for free activities from 1:00 to 5:00 pm including hiking the trails and creating gifts from nature like pine cone owls and wreaths.  She says gift-making supplies and tools will be provided, but attendees are welcome to add their own special touch to the creations, “If you’re a crafty kind of person perhaps you have stuff in your closet you always wished you could use or perhaps it’s a keepsake or a momento that you want to add to a wreath, you could certainly bring it.” 

Semken says by creating gifts from nature, you’re helping reduce the amount of plastic waste and packaging that ends up in a landfill. Semken says they will take safety measures in regards to COVID-19 including limiting the number of participants in the spacious Langwood lodge, providing hand sanitizer, and requiring face coverings when inside or when social distancing isn’t possible outside.  Registration for the event is due this Friday by calling 319-523-8381.