Swamp Oak Wanderers
Discover the Wonders of Prairie Island Park
Prairie Island Park is a vibrant landscape of floodplain forests, wetlands, prairies, and backwaters that provide essential habitat for wildlife throughout the Mississippi River watershed.
In partnership with the Will Dilg Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America (IWLA) and the Young Ike’s Youth Crew, Swamp Oak Wanderers invites families to explore, learn, and connect with nature through hands-on outdoor activities every Saturday from 10:00–11:30 a.m.
Programs are open to both Prairie Island Campground guests and families from the Winona community. Each session welcomes up to 15 participants, creating a fun, engaging, and interactive experience for all ages.
Learn more about upcoming activities, registration, and the work of the Will Dilg Chapter by clicking the button below
Macroinvertebrate inventory
Environmental & Outdoor Adventure Education opportunities
Community Science data gathering - “Save Our Streams”, Nature’s Notebook Phenology, Biological inventories through iNaturalist
Paddling the backwaters & hiking the bluffs
Growing & Preparing food in the Community Garden
Arts & crafts with nature
Practicing Leave No Trace
Shore fishing
Habitat Stewardship
Swamp Oak Wanderers taste-testing produce.
Community Garden
The PIC Community Garden and Patio was built to promote healthy eating, serve as a gateway to outdoor recreation, engage community members with multiple perspectives, provide learning opportunities for youth, and sustain biological diversity.
This central gathering space fosters interaction between PIC guests as well as Winona area community members by hosting art and culture: Campfire Concert Series, informational events, arts and crafts opportunities, and films.
A mayfly or damselfly?
Swamp oak terrace
The outdoor classroom space was developed from the support of the Minnesota Department of Health - Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) and Front Porch Management.
The Will Dilg Chapter is committed to mentoring the next generation of environmental leaders through Young Ike’s programming by helping youth build meaningful connections with nature and community, engage in hands-on stewardship of natural resources, and develop the skills, confidence, and sense of belonging needed to care for both the environment and themselves.
In the 2026 summer season, the Campground will host 11-sessions for both Prairie Island Adventure Club for elementary and Prairie Island Youth Crew for middle school aged youth.
