LoHi Trek has sold out

Tickets for the 2026 LoHi Trek went on sale on December 15 and sold out within minutes!

The LoHi Trek, one of Golden Hills' premier annual events, is a 4-day hiking and camping adventure. The 2026 event will be based in Monona County and takes place April 8-12. 



The Trek is more than a hike, though--it's an immersive, place-based, community-building experience that brings people together to enjoy, learn about, and deepen their appreciation of western Iowa's unique Loess Hills.

If you didn't get a ticket, you can sign up for the waitlist at goldenhillsrcd.org/lohi. Even if you can't join, you can still support this event with a donation here.

Thank you for supporting this annual event!

Seed Sorting Volunteer Event

Thank you to our volunteers who helped clean prairie seed last week at the greenhouse!

We also starting planting some Echinacea angustifolia, which requires 90 days of cold stratification.



We'll have at least one more volunteer event in the greenhouse this winter, so stay tuned!

Bank stabilization webinar recording available

Golden Hills recently hosted a Streambank Stabilization Webinar, and the recording is now available to watch online.

Many streambanks in western Iowa's deep loess soil region have severe to extreme streambank erosion. Bank stabilization is the process of restoring banks to a more natural condition. In this video, you can learn about successful projects here in western Iowa and how you can restore streambanks on your property.

Speakers include John Thomas, former Hungry Canyons Alliance Program Director, and Adam Rupe with JEO Consulting Group.

Watch the recording here.

Streambank stabilization is an eligible practice in our Regional Conservation Partnership Program.

Learn more at goldenhillsrcd.org/rcpp

***Reminder*** - if you are a landowner in the West Nish watershed, please complete this survey!

Ring in the new year with a First Day Hike!

Golden Hills is partnering with Friends of Loess Hills State Forest & Preparation Canyon State Park to host a First Day Hike at the Preparation Canyon Unit of Loess Hills State Forest. Pizza and refreshments will be available at the Brent S. Olson Visitor Center in Pisgah available following the hike.

When: Thursday, January 1, 2026

10:00 AM start time

Where: Loess Hills State Forest - Preparation Canyon Unit

Little Sioux Scout Ranch Addition

32977 Larpenteur Memorial Rd.

Little Sioux, IA 51545

The Little Sioux Scout Ranch was purchased by the Iowa DNR this summer and added to the Preparation Canyon Unit. This 1,776 acre addition has approximately 9.3 miles of natural surface, maintained hiking trails.

Varying levels of hiking skills are welcome! The path to the lake is an easy to moderate hike consisting of approximately 0.8 miles of gently rolling road bed and provides a beautiful view of the lake, forests and prairies to the north.

Two hike options are available - 3.2 miles or 6.1 miles, and hikers can turn around at any point.

Details, including maps, can be found at goldenhillsrcd.org/lhsf

Many other state parks are hosting First Day Hikes, including Lake Anita, Prairie Rose, Springbrook, Stone, & Waubonsie. Find all the details here.

New online store for WanderLoess Merch

You can now support Golden Hills by purchasing our popular WanderLoess bison shirts, as well as new beanies and mugs with the logo, online through our new Raygun page.

Thank you for your support!

'Twas the night before Christmas and out on the prairie,

One creature was stirring, big-footed and hairy.

Our trail cams were ready, and snacks were all stashed,

When suddenly we heard crunch, then a crash

Out jumped Bigfoot, donation in hand

Shouting, “For nature! For streams! For trails! For the land!”

His footprints were huge, but his smile was bright:

“Support Golden Hills on this cold winter’s night!”

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from Golden Hills!

Our office is not open regular hours the next couple weeks, but some staff are still working remotely. If you need to reach us before January 5, please reach out email. Contact info is available at goldenhillsrcd.org/staff

Happy Holidays!