About

Lime Creek Conservation Area and Nature Center creates a 450-acre refuge for all. With over eleven miles of multi-use trails, two primitive camp sites, a lake and ponds, prairie, forest, and river, Lime Creek is a place like no other.

We are proud to offer educational programs and experiences to all members of our community and beyond.

Our History

1976: The original 440 acres of Lime Creek Conservation Area is donated by Northwestern States Portland and Lehigh Cement Companies and called the Cerro Gordo County Cement Lands Conservation Area.

1980: The conservation staff, board, and area community members begin to express the need to create a conservation education facility. A group of visionary volunteers answers the call to create a committee to generate funding. Donations by individuals, groups, and corporations began arriving.

1982: Groundbreaking in the fall.

1984: The original building is completed and dedicated.

1992: Two major building expansions are added again with private donations. The first is the Charles E. Strickland auditorium.

1998: The second building expansion: the Sanberg Family educational and office wing. Learn more about this expansion and the generous donation below.

Maxine Sanberg Memorial Fund

In 1998, Maxine’s generous financial gift funded the Sanberg Family Educational Wing, an addition to the nature center that increased office space and provided a large storage/work room, two items which were greatly needed to support the growth of the nature center and conservation board.

Explore more about Maxine Sanberg