See other upcoming events on our 2009 calendar.
July 7 (Tuesday). Hagie Heritage Award Nomination Deadline.
It's time to nominate your favorite conservationist for the 2009 Hagie Heritage Award. We are seeking nominees who "have demonstrated an extraordinary personal service and commitment to improving the quality of Iowa's natural environment and who encourage others to do the same." All nominees and their nominating organizations receive publicity. The winner also receives a $1000 check and hand-carved sculpture. The nomination process is simple - letters from two people (or more) that explain why this nominee deserves the award. Get award details, links to past winners and nomination tips.
July 17 (Friday). Stateline Recreation Trail Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Iowa-Minnesota border, north of Mini-Wakan State Park, Dickinson County. Begins at 2 p.m.
Be there as Iowa and Minnesota make trail history and join the Iowa Great Lakes Trail System with Loon Lake Trail that stretches 3 miles north to Loon Lake in Jackson County, MN. Ribbon cutting dedication will take place where the trails join at the IA-MN border just north of the Mini-Wakan State Park. A Stateline Bike Ride on August 1, (Saturday) will celebrate the trail connection. Ride begins and ends at Brown County Park in Jackson County, MN (participants must register by July 24 to purchase tickets). Contact www.slmainsail.com or 712-336-4978. INHF has been an active partner in development of the Iowa Great Lak.s Trail System.
July 25 (Saturday). PFI Garden Tour and Potluck, "All Abuzz about Habitat"
Near Kanawha in Hancock County. Begins at 4 p.m.
Learn about programs and possibilities for incorporating diverse habitat on farms at One Step at a Time Gardens. Hosted by Tim Landgraf and Jan Libbey, who run this 6+-acre community supported farm (CSA) near East Twin Lake. A local band will entertain during supper at this venue. Co-sponsors include INHF. Visit the Practical Farmers of Iowa's website for more details, or call 641-495-6367.
NEW INHF OUTDOOR PROGRAM: EXPERITORS! Conservation Legacy Education Program - Next sessions July 25, 26.
Union Hills WMA near Clear Lake, Iowa.
Register now for one of the EXPERITORS! experiential small group learning opportunities. Two July sessions at a prairie have a "Bluestem and Blazingstar" theme and are for all ages. Each event will provide an encounter with nature, with time to reflect and share. Read more about the programs in June or July, or download a registration form. You can also e-mail leader Cindy Findley. Experitors is sponsored by INHF and supported with funds received in memory of long-time INHF member Marcia Connell.
August 6 (Thursday). Lower Morse Lake Grasslands Bird Conservation Area Dedication.
Near Clarion in Wright County. Begins at 1:30 p.m.
Join the Iowa DNR, partners and friends at Lake Cornelia State Park for a short celebration and dedication ceremony. The park where the dedication will take place is located at 1768 O'Brien Ave., 5 miles NE of Clarion. INHF contributed to this bird conservation effort with projects at Rolling Acres Marsh and Lower Morse Lake Waterfowl Production Area. For more information, contact Bruce Ehresman, a DNR wildlife diversity program biologist, at 515-432-2823 or bruce.ehresman@dnr.iowa.gov. Additional background on bird conservation areas and a map are available on the IDNR website.
For more information or to post an event on the web calendar, e-mail Cathy Engstrom, Director of Communications, or call (515) 288-1846. Posted events should have some connection to INHF.