The Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center is located in the unique Loess Hills of western Iowa. The Loess Hills were formed many thousands of years ago by the deposition of windblown soil. The loess deposits are found in the eastern Missouri River valleys in Missouri and Iowa. Loess deposits of this magnitude are found only here and in China.

The Nature Center is within the boundaries of Stone State Park. Surrounded by over 1,000 acres of woodlands and loess hills prairies, it is the perfect setting for outdoor learning. Several miles of trails are available for hiking to enhance the experience.

Native prairie and woodland communities blend together to show off many rare species of wildflowers, including yucca, skeleton plant, and buffalo berry. The woodlands are dominated by bur oak, basswood, and walnut trees.

The interpretive building houses a variety of exhibits, including a "walk-under" prairie, a 400-gallon aquarium of native fish, and natural history dioramas. These displays are part of the Junior League Legacy Gallery and feature hands-on exhibits on the plants and animals of the area. A discovery area provides opportunity to handle furs, antlers, fossils, and other artifacts. Classes, public programs, and meetings are held in the two 60-seat classrooms. A resource library is available for visitors to browse through environmental magazines, view a video, or research Loess Hills topics.