Calendar of Events

May

Saturday, May 3, 2025
Ada Hayden State Preserve Field Trip, Chester

Join Dr. Tom Rosburg in the exploration of one of Iowa's most iconic state preserves. The Iowa Native Plant Society is sponsoring this event.

Saturday, May 3, 2025
Violets Ridge Prairie Hike, Ogden

Do you like history? Nature? Prairies? Newly discovered remnant prairies? Then join Boone County Conservation and the Iowa Prairie Network on this hike at Violets Ridge.

Saturday, May 10, 2025
Indian Paintbrush Hike, near Seymour

The Iowa Prairie Network and Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation are sponsoring this spring hike at the Brant Schmell farm.

Tuesday, May 14, 2025
Prairie Preview Exhibitor Fair, Iowa City

Bur Oak Land Trust celebrates 40 years of Prairie Preview, with an event that's bigger and better than ever! Thirty-five environmental organizations from across the state--including the Tallgrass Prairie Center--will showcase efforts aimed at protecting and enhancing the environment.

Saturday, May 17, 2025
Iowa Science Phenomena Blitz, Jackson County

Iowa PBS and Jackson County Conservation host an outdoor adventure with a guided tour of the remnant Codfish Hollow Prairie. The tour begins at the Hurstville Interpretive Center, where leaders will offer nature-photography tips and tricks. The group then  travels to Codfish Hollow.

Saturday and Sunday, May 17-18, 2025
Iowa Native Plant Society 30th Anniversary Weekend Celebration, various northeast Iowa locations

Join INPS for field trips and a celebration dinner. (Reservations needed by May 7 for the dinner.)

Friday to Sunday, May 30 - June 1, 2025
Loess Hills Prairie Seminar, Monona County

Explore, learn and relax in the heart of the Loess Hills for the 49th annual Loess Hills Prairie Seminar.

Friday, May 30, 2025
Prairie Walks and Talks, Brandon

Join Buchanan County Conservation Director Ben Bonar at Bearbower Sand Prairie. Participants can expect to see numerous prairie plants in bloom including Hoary Puccoon, Large Flowered Beardtongue and Pasture Rose. This is the first in a three-part summer/fall series. Other walks will be held at Crumbacher Wildlife Area and Rowley Fen.

June

Thursday, June 12, 2025
Stewards of the Beautiful Land – Introduction to Prairie, Lewis

Join Cass County Conservationist Laura Kanning at Cold Springs County Park for an evening exploring one of Cass County's largest prairies.

Friday, June 20, 2025
Tallgrass Prairie Center Summer Open House, Cedar Falls

Explore the TPC and celebrate the prairie! More information to come. 

Sunday, June 29, 2025
Paint Rock Goat Prairie Hike, Harpers Ferry

Join Naturalist Erin Cubbon for a morning hike to the Paint Rock Overlook. Expect to see a variety of goat prairie flowers in bloom ... and maybe timber rattlesnakes! The hike is approximately 2.5 miles round trip, and is fairly steep.

July

Thursday, July 10, 2025
Stewards of the Beautiful Land – Butterfly Tagging and Prairies, Lewis

Join Cass County Conservationist Laura Kanning at Cold Springs County Park. Learn about butterfly tagging, prairie maintenance, development of small prairie plantings, and prairie species identification.

Monday, July 14, 2025
Heritage Valley Summer Seed Harvest, Waukon

Join the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation for a summer prairie seed harvest at Heritage Valley, a 1,200-acre nature area near Decorah. Seed collected will be used to diversify and expand the prairie.

Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Evening Walks on the Prairie, Story County

Join Dr. Tom Rosburg for a walk at Doolittle Prairie, Story County’s largest prairie remnant. Walks will take place the third Tuesday of July, August and September. These walks are free and no registration is required.

Tuesday, July 29. 2025
Stewards of the Beautiful Land - Roadsides at Work, online webinar

Learn from Marshall County Natural Resource Manager Ty Renze what a roadside manager does and how he advocates for native plantings on roadsides.

August

Tuesday, August 5, 2025 (rain date: Tuesday, August 19, 2025)
Cedar Falls Community Nature Quest at Irvine Prairie, Dysart

Join the Cedar Falls Public Library, the Hearst Center for the Arts and the TPC's Justin Meissen for an evening at Irvine Prairie. This event is a part of a year long collaboration encouraging creative engagement with our outdoor spaces!

Thursday, August 14, 2025
Stewards of the Beautiful Land – Prairie Planting and Maintenance, Massena

Join the Audubon County roadside manager for a large-scale planting.

Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Stewards of the Beautiful Land – Summer Prairie Hike, Marietta

Join Marshall County Naturalist Emma Bruck and Natural Resource Manager Tyler Renze for a hike at Marietta Sand Prairie. See what's blooming, learn how to identify prairie flora, and find out about management techniques.