The Administrative Materials are quite extensive. Articles of incorporation and by-laws (1983-1995, gaps) are included for the Friends of the Hixon Forest Nature Center, the governing body of the Hixon Forest Nature Center.

Board of Director materials are separated into committee materials, member lists, minutes and reports. The Friends of Hixon Forest Nature Center Board of Directors utilize many committees to operate the center. The file of Committees and Backgrounds (1987-1996, gaps) includes materials that explain the governing structure of the nature center, the function of each of the committees, and the names of individuals who served on those committees from 1993-1995. Committee materials are arranged alphabetically by the name of each committee: administrative (1996), building (1982; 1992-1995), community awareness (1991-1995), education (1992-1994), executive (1991; 1993), fundraising (1987-1995), membership (1984-1996), natural areas ([n.d.]; 2003), nominating (1990-1994), trail (1984-1997, gaps). The information pertaining to the membership committee includes lists of members of The Friends of Hixon Forest as well as lists of non-renewing members (1990-1997).

Other administrative materials include the names of the Board of Directors in a member list file (1986-1994), correspondence (1976-1995, gaps), Board of Director minutes (1985-1996), and reports from the executive director (1993-1996) and the board president (1985?-1986; 1994).

The Hixon Forest Nature Center relies on grants and fundraising to generate the income needed to operate the center. A General Fundraising (1985-1994) file is comprised of information on minor fundraising events held by the center. Information on the Endowment Fund (1990-1996?) is included. Numerous individual files are available on specific fundraising events; they include information about the birdseed sale (1986-1995), sale of a limited edition egret bronze (1992), Earth Day (1980; 1989-1996), Jeans Day (1994-1995), June Nocturne (1987-1992), the Log Boom (1994-1996), the Nature Art Fair (1986), the River to Ridge Event (1995-1997), and Taste of La Crosse (1989-1995).

Information on grant writing and minor grants written by the Hixon Forest Nature Center are incorporated in a general grants file (1986-1996). Information pertaining to grants from Americorps (1994), Environmental Protection Agency (1994-1996), La Crosse Community Foundation (1986-1992), Paul E. Stry Foundation (1989-1995), and the Wisconsin Environmental Education Board (1990-1995) are included in separate files. A market survey (1989) was compiled to determine the opinions of La Crosse County residents regarding the Hixon Forest Nature Center. Planned giving (1991) was another way in which Hixon Forest Nature Center generated funds.

Other administrative materials are comprised of long-range planning materials made up of general information (1985-1997), a feasibility study (1991), and a needs assessment (1994). Information on permits (1974?; 1985-1987; 1991-1993) issued to the Nature Center is included. The personnel (1896-1994) file contains job descriptions and salary schedules.

Hixon Forest Nature Center sponsors many programs for the public. Information relating to programming includes attendance (1987-1996), educators' workshops (1987-1988), environmental education (1985-1997), miscellaneous programs (1982-1995), snowshoe rental (1986; 1993), and the Trash-a-thon (1973; 1988-1994).

Publicity materials are also part of the administrative materials. Information on the animals and plants of Hixon Forest are included as well as brochures (1991-1994), logo design (1988), newsletters (1983-1997), and public service announcements (1983-1993).

A survey map (2003) indicates work done in surveying and inventorying the forest. A forest assessment (2004) examined the health of the trees in the forest. Background on the trails (1975-1994) of Hixon Forest includes maps, newspaper clippings, and brochures.

Visitor information includes a file on attendance (1983-1996), comprised largely of tally sheets and summarized attendance statistics, and visitor registration books (1983-1996).

General information on volunteers (1989-1996) is located with the administrative materials, as well as information about the Prairie Burncrew (1988-1990), a group of specially trained volunteers.