Swan Lake Conservation Education Center

H I S T O R Y

The Conservation Education Center planning began in the early 1990’s. Steve Garst, Joe Halbur, Dave Olson and others were involved in some of the early brainstorming about the possibility of a regional environmental education facility located in Swan Lake State Park. In 1999 a five-year plan for Carroll County Conservation included the first concrete proposal, and a fundraising drive was initiated shortly thereafter.

Construction began in 2003 and the doors opened in late October of 2004 with programs and room rentals beginning in January of 2005, a grand opening was held in April of that year.

T O D A Y

The Swan Lake Education Center is a regional facility serving Western Iowa, contributing towards the local economy and quality of life while providing educational, recreational, and programs for all ages! Including the popular children’s summer camps, Christmas bird count program each December and much more all organized by our Naturalist.

The center is ADA accessible, with a wheelchair charging station and open to school visits, youth groups, special interest groups, bus tours, and to the public. If you are planning a trip and would like our Naturalist to show you around, please contact our naturalist at (712) 792-4614 or by email.

C L A S S R O O M S (meeting rooms)

The center’s two large classrooms can accommodate up to 200 guests or the rooms can be divided if you are planning a small event accommodating up to 100 guests in each room. The Swan Lake Education Center room rentals offer a unique location for a gathering, with beautiful views. Each room is available to rent from 8:00 am – 10:00 pm.

The Wapiti Room is perfect for any educational or business meeting, this classroom has an audio-visual system with a projector, drop down 6’X8’ screen, and speakers – perfect for any presentation. The podium is able to connect with any computer. This room is set up classroom style with 21 (18” x 96”) tables and is attached to a kitchenette (refrigerator and counter space). The Bison room is perfect for any social event, this room has 15 60” round tables and 3 (18” x 96”) long tables.  Each room can accommodate up to 100 guests.

P R I C I N G 
2022
Wapiti Classroom: $125 per day   or   $160 per day, if alcohol is present
Bison Classroom: $110 per day    or   $160 per day, if alcohol is present
Wapiti & Bison Classrooms $235 per day or $320 per day, if alcohol is present
Refundable Security Deposit: $250 on a sperate payment. We will hold this payment until after your event. As long as everything is cleaned up at left properly, we will shred this payment, unless you request it to be mailed back to you.

2023 - PRICE UPDATE effective 1/1/2023

Wapiti Classroom: $150.00 with or without alcohol present
Bison Classroom: $150.00 with or without alcohol present
Wapiti & Bison Classrooms: $250.00 with or without alcohol present 
$250 on a sperate payment. We will hold this payment until after your event. As long as everything is cleaned up at left properly, we will shred this payment, unless you request it to be mailed back to you.

We accept cash, check, or credit card (with additional cc fees) for the facility rental. The we only accept cash or check for the refundable security deposit. Once you have contacted the Carroll County Conservation office to make a reservation, we will then email you with an invoice along with the rental agreement, which are due back within 10 days of making the reservation. 

R E S E R V A T I O N S

Contact our office to make reservations by calling (712) 792-4614 or email office@carrollcountyiowa.org

Reservations can be made on a rolling calendar basis (one year in advance).

CHECK AVAILABILITY HERE

 
T O U R 

Take a peek inside the Swan Lake Conservation Education Center by watching this video:
Swan Lake Conservation Education Center - Swan Lake State Park

Carroll County Conservation currently manages over 2,700 acres at 27 different areas.