Photos: Nature center mural depicts Iowa’s native ecosystems

The project, funded by Friends of Iowa County Conservation Foundation, is being painted on a wall at the Lake Iowa Nature Center

Nick Rohlman

Jan. 14, 2025 6:03 pm

Anna Segner paints details on a frog in a mural at the Lake Iowa Nature Center in Iowa County on Tuesday. The mural, just like many of Iowa’s native forest ecosystems, is centered around a bur oak tree and depicts more than 20 species. Painting the mural is part of a multi phase plan to add environmental education displays about three different ecosystems: wetland, forest and prairie, to the nature center. The displays are funded by the Friends of Iowa County Conservation Foundation. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Naomi Friend mixes paint as she works on painting a mural at the Lake Iowa Nature Center in Iowa County on Tuesday. The mural, just like many of Iowa’s native forest ecosystems, is centered around a bur oak tree and depicts more than 20 species. Painting the mural is part of a multi phase plan to add environmental education displays about three different ecosystems: wetland, forest and prairie, to the nature center. The displays are funded by the Friends of Iowa County Conservation Foundation. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Details from a mural being painted are seen at the Lake Iowa Nature Center in Iowa County on Tuesday. The mural, just like many of Iowa’s native forest ecosystems, is centered around a bur oak tree and depicts more than 20 species. Painting the mural is part of a multi phase plan to add environmental education displays about three different ecosystems: wetland, forest and prairie, to the nature center. The displays are funded by the Friends of Iowa County Conservation Foundation. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Details depicting the life cycle of the Plyphemus Moth from a mural being painted are seen at the Lake Iowa Nature Center in Iowa County on Tuesday. The mural, just like many of Iowa’s native forest ecosystems, is centered around a bur oak tree and depicts more than 20 species. Painting the mural is part of a multi phase plan to add environmental education displays about three different ecosystems: wetland, forest and prairie, to the nature center. The displays are funded by the Friends of Iowa County Conservation Foundation. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Naomi Friend of Story City paints details onto a mural at the Lake Iowa Nature Center in Iowa County on Tuesday. The mural, just like many of Iowa’s native forest ecosystems, is centered around a bur oak tree and depicts more than 20 species. Painting the mural is part of a multi phase plan to add environmental education displays about three different ecosystems: wetland, forest and prairie, to the nature center. The displays are funded by the Friends of Iowa County Conservation Foundation. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Anna Segner (left) of Ames and Naomi Friend (right) of Story City work to paint a mural at the Lake Iowa Nature Center in Iowa County on Tuesday. The mural, just like many of Iowa’s native forest ecosystems, is centered around a bur oak tree and depicts more than 20 species. Painting the mural is part of a multi phase plan to add environmental education displays about three different ecosystems: wetland, forest and prairie, to the nature center. The displays are funded by the Friends of Iowa County Conservation Foundation. The mural is the second Segner and Friend have collaborated on after previously painting a mural for Sac County Conservation. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Anna Segner (top) of Ames and Naomi Friend (bottom) of Story City work to paint a mural at the Lake Iowa Nature Center in Iowa County on Tuesday. The mural, just like many of Iowa’s native forest ecosystems, is centered around a bur oak tree and depicts more than 20 species. Painting the mural is part of a multi phase plan to add environmental education displays about three different ecosystems: wetland, forest and prairie, to the nature center. The displays are funded by the Friends of Iowa County Conservation Foundation. The mural is the second Segner and Friend have collaborated on after previously painting a mural for Sac County Conservation. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)