March to June, Prairie Rescue, statewide
If Iowans want to maintain our natural heritage, we need to help keep our prairies healthy. That's why a group of conservation partners, including the Iowa DNR and INHF, created the annual statewide Prairie Rescue: a hands-on opportunity for adults and kids to experience the prairies Iowa's earlier generations saw, while preserving that experience for future generations. Volunteers will clear invading species (such as garlic mustard), brush and trees from the sites, which are scattered throughout Iowa. Visit the INHF website frequently for an updated list of 2008 Prairie Rescue sites as they are announced!
May 21
Applications are due for our Heritage Conservation Corps. INHF has summer openings for four young people with an interest in conservation, trails and working outdoors. Applicants must be ages 16-21. Apply online or read a detailed job description here.
May 30, G.R.A.S.S. Great Race Against Shrubs and Shade, Castana
As part of the Loess Hills Prairie Seminar, you may volunteer to clear cedars and shrubs from the native prairie with a wonderful group of volunteers and college interns from INHF and other organizations. This pre-event option is known as G.R.A.S.S. (the Great Race Against Shrubs and Shade) and will be held Friday, May 30, starting at 9 a.m. Volunteers can meet at the Campground Parking Lot of the Loess Hills Wildlife Management Area, 178th St. and Oak Ave. in Castana. For more information contact Merry Rankin, Keepers of the Land Volunteer Program, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, IA.
May 30 to June 1, Loess Hills Prairie Seminar near Onawa
The Northwest Iowa Education Agency and other partners are sponsoring the annual Loess Hills Prairie Seminar from Friday, May 30, to Sunday, June 1, in the Loess Hills Wildlife Area northeast of Onawa. The seminar is a living memorial to its founder, Carolyn Frerichs Benne, Western Hills Area Education Agency environmental educator. She started the seminar in 1977 as part of the Western Hills AEA's role in providing education and training for K-12 educators in the areas of conservation, environmental and science education. From 250 to 300 adults and students regularly attend the weekend event. INHF staff regularly give presentations at the seminar.
June 7 (Saturday), Cortright Wildlife Area dedication
7 miles NW of Independence, Time TBA
Hike & tour this site along 1/2-mile of the Wapsipinicon River, with its woodlands, fishing ponds, and room for prairie reconstruction.
June 8 (Sunday), Stone State Park Additions dedication
Sioux City at Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center, 2 p.m.
Come celebrate three recent additions to this great state park! following a short ceremony to thank donors and former landowners, there will be refreshments and an optional vigorous hike onto one addition that offers views of the others. Enjoy the native prairie, woodlands and scenic beauty these sites provide. Get project details.
June 14-15 (Saturday-Sunday), BioBlitz 2008, Part 1
Allamakee County between Decorah and Waukon, 1 p.m. Saturday to 1 p.m. Sunday
Help us discover what thrives at Heritage Valley, a tremendous property that INHF is protecting on the Upper Iowa River. Teams of professionals and enthusiasts will study the site for 24 hours to identify all the species you can find: plants, fish, insects, birds, mosses and more. This is a great way to learn, while meeting people who know more in their fields than you thought possible. The terrain and work are strenous, but it's great fun. Part 2 of this event is held on August 23-24. Space at both events is limited, so learn more about this event and register early.
June 14 to June 21, Project A.W.A.R.E., Mason City to Cedar Falls on the Winnebago, Shell Rock and Cedar Rivers
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is sponsoring it annual Project A.W.A.R.E. (A Watershed Awareness River Expedition), from Saturday, June 14, to Saturday, June 15, starting in Mason City. Project A.W.A.R.E. is a river cleanup when hundreds of Iowans volunteer to spend anywhere from a day to a week working harder than they ever have before, getting dirtier than they ever have before, and loving every minute of it! Project A.W.A.R.E., however, is more about removing trash from rivers. It’s about learning about water quality, wildlife conservation, recycling -- and experiencing it all! Volunteers are required to register in advance and must meet certain age requirements. To learn more about Project A.W.A.R.E., contact Brian Soenen at 515-205-8587. Registration, pledge forms and much more is available at http://www.iowaprojectaware.com.
Aug. 2 (Saturday), Anglers Bay dedication
Big Spirit Lake, Okoboji Region
In order to save this 2/3-mile of natural shoreline at the Iowa Great Lakes, with its bulrushes and healthy aquatic ecosystem, we undertook our most expensive project to date: $6.67 million. Join us in celebrating this success, thanks to more than 1,000 donors and strong state funding. Fun activities for all are being planned, so stay tuned for more event details. Get project details.
August 23-24 (Saturday-Sunday), BioBlitz 2008, Part 2
Allamakee County between Decorah and Waukon, 1 p.m. Saturday to 1 p.m. Sunday
Help us discover what thrives at Heritage Valley, a tremendous property that INHF is protecting on the Upper Iowa River. Teams of professionals and enthusiasts will study the site for 24 hours to identify all the species you can find: plants, fish, insects, birds, mosses and more. This is a great way to learn, while meeting people who know more in their fields than you thought possible. The terrain and work are strenous, but it's great fun. Part 1 of this event is held on June 14-15. Space at both events is limited, so learn more about this event and register early.
Sept. 6 (Saturday), Hartley Heritage Fen dedication
Jasper County, 20 miles NE of Des Moines
Experts will be ready and eager to show you the wonders of rare fen wetlands and native prairie at this small-but-mighty site! After a short dedication ceremony, enjoy this unusual place casually with enthusiasts. Get project details.
A September Saturday TBA, Iowa River Wildlife Area dedication
Just north of Marshalltown, time TBA
Come see the new county-owned site that protects a mile of the Iowa River shoreline, some of the best forestland in the county, springs and wildlife habitat, plus an adjoning restoration site for wetlands and prairie. A short dedication will be followed by an oportunity to tour and experience this 485-acre wildlife area. Get project details.
Oct. 4 (Saturday), Prairie Seed Harvest
Marietta Sand Prairie State Preserve near Albion, Marshall County, Time TBA
All ages are wlecome to help hand-harvest native prairie seeds on the preserve, to be planted on the addition we helped secure. You'll be able to learn individually about prairie from your fellow volunteers, many of whom will be prairie experts. This is a casual day: drop in and stay as long as you like.