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DNR Homepage
A-Z Topic Index
 
Keepers of the Land
AmeriCorps
IOWATER
Streamkeepers
 
I'm Ready, Sign me Up!
General Information
Steps to Volunteering
Basic Guidelines
Sign up to Volunteer
Join a Friends Group
Become a Campground Host
 
Ongoing Opportunities
- Search by Location
- Search by Field
- Search by Type
 
Events Calendar
Post a Volunteer Event
 
Project AWARE
 
Additional Information
Success Stories
Links
 
2005 Iowa Prairie Rescue
April - May


The leaves of grass need a helping hand - Volunteer to lend one!

This spring, crews of nature-loving volunteers will come to the aid of Iowa's damaged prairies during the 6th annual statewide Prairie Rescue event. Organizers invite volunteers to attend any of roughly 25 workdays to be held across the state during April and May.

What: Iowa Prairie Rescue: Plant native species and remove invasives
When: Individual workdays, all through April and May
Where: All across Iowa (See list of events below)
A Prairie Rescue volunteer prepares to plant some native seeds Praire, an important part of Iowa's natural heritage, once covered almost 70-percent of the state. Today, only .1-percent of the state's original prairie remains. Though Iowa's prairies were once self-sustaining, they now require human intervention to keep them healthy. For the past five years, Prairie Rescue volunteers have lended their muscle and enthusiasm to that effort.

Prairie Rescue volunteers will clear invading brush and trees (which are detrimental to native species), plant native wildflowers and grasses, and conduct other management activities. On-site experts will provide guidance and prairie education. This is a chance for adults and kids to learn about their natural heritage and help "rescue" the few prairies that remain in the state.

Volunteers should wear work clothes, gloves, and bring pruning tools if possible. Individuals, families, and orginizations are all invited to participate. No experience is necessary - just bring a positive attitude, an open mind for learning, and a willingness to have fun.



Scheduled Workdays
Click on site name for more information (*pdf files)

Date Event/Site County Time
March 19 Country Homestead B&B Monona 9am - 3pm
April 2 Brushy Creek State Recreation Area East Webster 9am
April 9 Preparation Canyon State Park South Central Monona 9am - 1pm
April 9 Waubonsie State Park Southwest Fremont 9am - 5pm
April 14 Volga River State Recreation Area Central Fayette 10am
April 16 Ames High Prairie State Preserve Story 9am
April 16 Cedar Bluffs State Preserve Mahaska 12pm - 2:30pm
April 16 Hayden Prairie State Preserve North Central Howard 9am - 1pm
April 16 King Cemetery Crawford 10am
April 16 Lake Anita State Park Cass 9am - 1pm
April 16 Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge Jasper 8:30am - 1pm
April 16 Ringold County Prairie Chicken Day Ringold Dawn
April 16 Rochester Cemetery Cedar 10am
April 16 Stone State Park Southwest Sioux 9am - 12pm
April 16 Voas Conservation Area Central Dallas 9am
April 23 Ames High Prairie State Preserve Story 9am
April 23 Bobwhite State Park Wayne 9am - 12pm
April 23 Breen Prairie Farm North Jones 10am - 12:30pm
April 23 Springbrook Conservation Education Center Northeast Guthrie 9am
April 23 Vincent Blufs Preserve Pottawattamie 10am - 12pm
April 23 Waterman Prairie Area O'Brien 9am - 1pm
April 24 Rochester Cemetery Cedar 10am
April 30 Big Creek State Park Northeast Polk 9am - 1pm
April 30 Churchville Prairie Warren 9am - 1pm
April 30 Nine Eagles State park South Decatur 10am - 2pm
April 30 Rock Creek State park Northeast Jasper 1pm - 5pm
April 30 Stephens State Forest Northeast Jasper 8am - 12pm
April 30 Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge North-central Kossuth 12pm - 4pm
May 7 Mines of Spain Recreation Area East Dubuque 9am - 12pm
May 14 Harrier Marsh Boone 10am - 3pm
May 14 Rochester Cemetery Cedar 10am



More Information:

Check this page or visit the Iowa National Heritage Foundation's Web-page for information about specific workdays. You can also contact Katie Kemp at: (515)-281-3134 or katie.kemp@dnr.state.ia.us

Date, location, and event information is subject to change and will be updated as more information becomes available.