Tama County Nature Center
LOCATION ◦ TOLEDO IA
Exhibit Fabrication, Environmental Dioramas & Interactive Learning Stations
Evergreen Creative partnered with Tama County to fabricate and install a full suite of exhibits inside the Tama County Nature Center, a facility dedicated to educating visitors about the native ecosystems of Otter Creek and the surrounding Iowa landscape.
This permanent exhibit environment immerses guests in prairie, wetland, and woodland habitats through scenic dioramas, hands-on stations, and multisensory displays. Built for long-term use, the exhibits encourage curiosity and tactile exploration while supporting environmental education and local stewardship.
Key fabrication components included:
Sensory Discovery Wall
A tactile panel featuring real animal fur samples, lift-and-guess ID stations, and a “sniff” component with embedded scent modules to deepen sensory engagement.Scenic Dioramas
Custom curved and corner-mounted dioramas replicating wetland and forest environments with detailed flora, animal models, and layered backdrop artwork.Underground Life Exhibits
Cutaway displays simulating subterranean habitats, including root systems, soil dwellers, and burrowing wildlife, designed with lit windows and observation portals.“Outwit, Outcrawl, Outlast” Survival Game
A large interactive wheel allowing visitors to explore the life challenges of local turtle species and understand ecosystem threats through play.
Our team handled all exhibit fabrication and installation, including built-in lighting, AV integration, and durable mechanical elements engineered for high-traffic public use. Display cases and interpretive panels were fabricated using premium substrates and sealed for longevity, while interactive elements were reinforced to withstand frequent handling by children and families.
The Tama County Nature Center remains a vibrant destination for environmental education in central Iowa — a space where well-built exhibits continue to connect community members to the landscapes around them nearly a decade after installation.
