Loess Hills Pasque Flower Walk held on March 29

Thank you to everyone who joined Golden Hills & Iowa Prairie Network for a walk to see the first-blooming flowers at a remnant Loess Hills prairie!



The flowers were on full display, particularly in an area that had a prescribed fire last fall. View photos of the walk here.

If you want to see the pasques while they're still blooming, the Christiansen Farm in the Pisgah Unit of Loess Hills State Forest is a great spot--head up the ridge to the east. The Loess Hills Scenic Overlook is another excellent, easily-accessible place to see them.



Before we know it, pasque flowers and other early-blooming species will be going to seed, and we'll need volunteers to help harvest seed. Learn more at goldenhillsrcd.org/prairieseed

Volunteers needed at greenhouse on April 6

We're looking for volunteers at the greenhouse!

Monday, April 6, 2026

5:30-7:30pm

Dodge Hall Greenhouse at Iowa Western - Council Bluffs

We will transplant from small cells into Cone-tainers, and plant some "A" germination code species that do not require cold stratification. These plants will be sold in our native plant sale later this spring.

No experience necessary. Wear clothes that can get dirty, and work gloves if you'd like.

Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org with questions.

2026 LoHi Trek is next week

​The 2026 LoHi Trek is next week, April 8-12, primarily in Monona County!

Registration filled quickly, and we have a large waiting list.

Thank you our sponsors, including Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and The Nature Conservancy in Iowa, and many other partners, volunteers, and supporters who make this sixth annual event a success!

Explore the Lewis & Clark Trail bike route this spring

A few years ago, Golden Hills worked with numerous partners to install wayfinding signage on a nearly-200-mile stretch of western Iowa's roads and trails from Sioux City to Hamburg.

 

This Lewis & Clark Trail "Today Route" primarily uses rural, paved roadways, and recreational trails where available--particularly within Council Bluffs, Sioux City, and a portion of the Wabash Trace Nature Trail.

The route follows the Missouri River, mostly within the floodplain, but ventures into the Loess Hills at various points too.

Learn more and find maps of the route at goldenhillsrcd.org/lewisandclarktrail

Save the date for the inaugural Pedal for the Prairie

Join us on the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway for Iowa’s Underground Railroad Connections with Barry Jurgensen on Saturday, April 11 in our "Iowa's America 250 Scenic Byways Road Trip" series.👇🏼 

🎂 Iowa’s Underground Railroad Connections with Barry Jurgensen 

🗓️ Saturday, April 11, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

🚗 Loess Hills National Scenic Byway

📍27792 Ski Hill Loop, Honey Creek, IA 51542

Iowa history has deep roots with the underground railroad. The public is encouraged to attend this presentation by Barry Jurgensen who will explore Iowa’s Underground Railroad connections highlighting conductors, safe houses, and powerful stories of freedom.

Barry Jurgensen is the Midwest Regional Manager and Historian for the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom - a program of the National Park Service that honors, preserves and promotes the history of resistance to enslavement through escape and flight. From the regional office in Omaha, Barry coordinates with local, state and federal agencies to identify and preserve sites associated with the Underground Railroad across the Midwest.



This presentation is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Transportation in honor of the semiquincentennial anniversary of the United States of America (A250) activities in 2026.

Check out the many events scheduled statewide by organizations and the State of Iowa America 250 Task Force.

Visit us at Earth Day Omaha on April 25

Golden Hills will have a vendor table at this year's Earth Day Omaha!

Saturday, April 25th

11am-4pm

Elmwood Park, Omaha

We'll have packets of prairie seed, WanderLoess merch, and informatoin about our programs & projects. Stop by and say hi!