Outdoor Classroom Project

Stokes Nature Center is creating an exploration park and outdoor classroom in Nibley, UT! Our Outdoor Classroom will provide recreation and learning opportunities for people of all ages to gather, celebrate, and engage in activities that promote health, well-being, community, and the environment. We are proud to be the steward of this special property rich in cultural and natural heritage. 

The Outdoor Classroom Project is moving forward!

We are proud to be working with Bio-West on a comprehensive ecological design which will enhance the native flora and fauna for our visitors, students, and wildlife to enjoy.

On August 28th, 2024, we officially broke ground on this exciting project! Thank you to all the supporters and champions that have kept this vision alive to date. We can’t wait to celebrate the grand opening with you soon.

Updates from November 2024:

Watch our progress slideshow below

Nibley in the News

Have you heard? Our project is making waves and progress! Stay tuned for more updates!

Stokes Nature Center breaks ground on Nibley nature park

2022 Press Release Announcing Investment from the EDA

The Herald Journal: Stokes Nature Center receives $1.9 million grant for outdoor classroom, nature park in Nibley

KSL News: Nearly $2M federal grant to support nature center in Cache Valley

~ We Envision ~

Visitors and students experiencing Stokes' Outdoor Classroom's vast wildlife habitat immediately as they walk under the arbor entrance and begin to meander along trails winding throughout the property and enjoy breath-taking views of the majestic Wellsville Mountains and Bear River Range as they gather under the Alice Denney pavilion. 

While exploring, our visitors and students may catch glimpses of graceful Sandhill Cranes in the wetland area, Least Chubs swimming in the spring-fed pond, or watch Red Tailed Hawks soaring across the upland meadow. Countless smaller organisms like bees, fireflies, and butterflies call the Stokes Outdoor Classroom home. 

We encourage visitors and students to get out and enjoy the wonders of our outdoor classroom first-hand by dipping their fingers in the pond looking for macroinvertebrates, running through the wildflowers, and building a fort with rocks and sticks within our natural playscape. Bring your family for a summer-time picnic before participating in one of our Naturalist workshops showcasing native owls, beekeeping, watersheds, edible plants, and more.   

Restoration and Preservation

Native flora and fauna restoration activities begin in the spring with the removal of invasive species and the planting of native shrubs, plants, and trees in the wetland and upland meadow areas of the project. Plants are selected based on historical records, as well as soil types and optimal species for fireflies, birds, and local wildlife. 

If you'd like to volunteer to help restore this amazing 11 acres, please contact our staff at nature@logannature.org.

A Gracious Donation

On July 17, 2003, Alice Denney donated 11 acres of green space to Stokes Nature Center.

Alice's love of fruit trees prompted her to purchase land in Nibley where she cultivated a small orchard consisting of apricots, apples, and plums. Many of which are still in production today.

Over the years she was delighted with the wildlife that she saw on the land. To ensure the property would be protected for generations, she obtained a wildlife conservation easement which is held by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

Located at 100 West 2600 South in Nibley UT, just off Hwy 165.

This project is supported in part by:

Jim and Adie Akers

Barb Farris

Val and Sue Grant

Linda L'ai and Wayne Wurtsbaugh