Iowa Lakeside Laboratory

Iowa Lakeside Laboratory A field station of the Iowa's three state universities, the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory offers hands-on

Lakeside Lab has has provided summer classes and research opportunities to college students since 1909. As a Regents Resource Center, Lakeside also offers programs in lifelong learning for all people of northwest Iowa with many designed for children and several for adults. The Friends of Lakeside Lab, its non-profit partner, provides valued support. Although education is Lakeside's primary functio

n, it also serves as a nature preserve and historic district. The north part of campus is being restored to prairie, while other areas are wooded. The Lab has 12 structures on the National Register of Historic Places, including five stone classrooms built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The grounds are open during daylight hours, and guests are welcome.

Looking for some free, family-friendly fun this Labor Day weekend? If you haven’t already, come check out our one-of-a-k...
09/04/2026

Looking for some free, family-friendly fun this Labor Day weekend? If you haven’t already, come check out our one-of-a-kind Treasure Hike!

Pick up a treasure map by the trail sign in the main parking lot and head out to find 9 hidden boxes along the trails. Each box contains a special sticker, collect them all to solve this year’s big question:
“How many species of turtles live in Iowa?”

This free self-guided hike is perfect for explorers of all ages. Trails are open during daylight hours. Have fun out there, and happy hunting!

08/27/2026

The Friends of Lakeside Lab have a new page! Please like and follow Friends of Lakeside Lab for events, news about the Lab and other cool stuff.

Join us tomorrow night (8/12) for our LAST Wild Wednesday of the summer! 5pm in Mahan Hall.
08/11/2026

Join us tomorrow night (8/12) for our LAST Wild Wednesday of the summer! 5pm in Mahan Hall.

Thank you to our incredible interns for all of your hard work, enthusiasm, and dedication this summer! Your fresh ideas,...
07/31/2026

Thank you to our incredible interns for all of your hard work, enthusiasm, and dedication this summer! Your fresh ideas, willingness to learn, and passion for protecting Iowa's natural resources made a lasting impact on our team.

We are grateful to have been a part of your journey and can't wait to see where your future takes you. Wishing you all the best in your next adventures, we know you'll do amazing things!

Thank you for a great summer!

AmeriCorps Spotlight!Meet Nick Blocha! Nick is a Green Iowa AmeriCorps member and a Land and Water Steward. Coming from ...
07/31/2026

AmeriCorps Spotlight!
Meet Nick Blocha! Nick is a Green Iowa AmeriCorps member and a Land and Water Steward. Coming from a decade in art, storytelling, and human-socio behavior, Nick has spent the last two years serving at Lakeside Labs developing a relationship with, and study of, the mixture of ecological restoration and food-bearing plants. He has recently accepted a position with the Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa.
Thank you for everything Nick, and best of luck in the future!

Intern Spotlight!Meet Patrick Baughman! Patrick is a recent graduate of Iowa State University majoring in Environmental ...
07/30/2026

Intern Spotlight!
Meet Patrick Baughman! Patrick is a recent graduate of Iowa State University majoring in Environmental Science and Wildlife and Fisheries, Conservation and Ecology. This is his third summer at Lakeside Lab where he has served as the education intern aiding in camp planning and development. Patrick developed a research project this summer looking at the inter workings of people, nutrients, and phytoplankton. After Lakeside Patrick will be earning a certificate in environmental education at Wolf Ridge Learning Center in Northeast Minnesota. In his free time Patrick’s free time he enjoys painting and reading. His favorite book is the Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas.
Thank you Patrick!

Tonight! Come to Mahan Hall at 5pm to learn about Prairie Pals!
07/29/2026

Tonight! Come to Mahan Hall at 5pm to learn about Prairie Pals!

07/28/2026

CLAMP lake monitoring was conducted on Silver Lake, Dickinson County today (July 28, 2026). Screening tests for the algal toxin microcystin suggest elevated levels above what are considered safe for recreation. As a screening test, it is not as accurate as a laboratory analysis, but people should use caution when recreating in Silver Lake. Pets, children and the elderly are most susceptible to the algal toxin. Primary exposure is through ingestion. Rinse pets with clean drinking water if they come into contact with the water.

Address

1838 Highway 86
Milford, IA
51351

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 7pm
Tuesday 10am - 7pm
Wednesday 10am - 7pm
Thursday 10am - 7pm
Friday 10am - 7pm
Saturday 10am - 7pm
Sunday 10am - 7pm

Telephone

+17123373669

Website

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