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Meet Laura Johnston, our new Office Manager!
Throughout her career, she has enjoyed bringing organization to complex projects and helping technical teams focus on the work that has the greatest impact. She is especially proud of her work expanding participation in Iowa’s Private Well Grant Program through outreach and education. At Prairie Rivers, she looks forward to keeping projects, grants, partnerships, and daily operations running smoothly so staff can spend more time in the field and working directly with communities.
| | The future of Iowa, and our planet, is not yet written. | | |
Every tree planted, every habitat restored, and every community empowered to embrace sustainability is a step closer to a greener, healthier Iowa.
At Prairie Rivers of Iowa, we are turning hope into action. With your support, we can expand
conservation programs, protect vulnerable species and ecosystems, and inspire environmental
stewardship in communities across Iowa.
A gift of any size helps us continue this important work. Together, we can preserve Iowa’s
beauty through protecting its natural and cultural resources, and ensure future generations
inherit a thriving planet.
Environmental and cultural protection requires action, and action requires support. Your
generosity fuels the programs that protect Iowa’s resources every day.
● $25 helps provide native seed for habitat restoration and pollinator gardens
● $50 helps purchase equipment for water quality testing
● $100 helps support environmental education programs and workshops
● $175 helps preserve historical and cultural sites and resources
● $250+ helps expand community conservation initiatives
Please donate today and help us build a cleaner, healthier, greener, more sustainable future for
Iowa.
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Story County Water Quality Updates
by Casey Gruefe, Water Quality Specialist
Boy, it’s been hot, and the corn has been sweating… A lot. Like up to 4,000 gallons per acre per day a lot. With 146,968 acres of corn in Story County, that means mature corn can sweat up to 588 million gallons a day, or in terms of swimming pools, 29,400. Lucky for us, this behemoth organic humidifier helps dampen flood surges like the one we saw in our rivers and streams after the massive deluge over the holiday weekend.
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Summer Prairies with a Blast of Bee Balm
by Dan Cohen
An intriguing aspect of Iowa prairies is their varied appearance from year-to-year. This year’s starring floral cast members growing in a singular prairie stage will, more likely than not, be somewhat different next year. Currently, in several or our local prairies, bursting lavender and pink colors of Monarda fistulosa – also known as bee balm, wild bergamot, or horse nettles – are center stage.
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Locust Borer Megacyllene robiniae
By Katelyn Rinicker, Pollinator Conservation Specialist
The Locust Borer is an important insect to Iowa. They are a serious pest to Black Locust trees, which are invasive to Iowa. The larvae feed on these trees and overwinter under the bark. As they grow, they start to burrow deeper into the tree, creating entry points for fungal infections. The longhorned beetles help us keep these invasive trees at bay.
| | Locust Borers have a black and yellow striped pattern, which protects them from predators as they are confused for wasps or bees. The adults grow to an inch long with long antennae. They are prolific pollinators of Solidago, or goldenrod, species. They feed on goldenrod pollen and tend to be found in meadows and uncultivated fields. | | Watershed and Wildlife Events | | | | |
Monarch Magic
August 29th, 10-1 pm, Ada Hayden Heritage Park in Ames
Discover the amazing world of monarchs and pollinators! Bring your family to enjoy activities & learn. There will be Fun crafts, an obstacle course, a temporary tattoo station, and games. Become a citizen scientist by joining our Bioblitz and uploading your observations to iNaturalist. And don't forget to buy tickets for great raffle prizes!
This event takes a lot of help, so if you are interested in volunteering, contact Katelyn Rinicker
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The Meskwaki in Iowa: A story of persistence
By Jeff Morrison
TAMA — The Meskwaki were targeted by the French, despised by a number of Northeast Woodlands tribes, and chased by the Americans, but one truth remained: They lived to pass on their traditions.
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Check out our Byways Events Calendar!
Keep up to date with all of the Byways' latest events and happenings.
If you have events to add, email Jeanie, jhau@prrcd.org
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Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway
Glidden Fun Days
August 6-8, Glidden
The kids' games and Rides are Free for this weekend event with a 5K, an auto and motorcycle show, street dance, and the old traditional activities of the Greased Pig Contest, Cow Pie Bingo, and Human Foosball (ok, that last one is new).
Free Concert to Support Starbucks Rebuild
August 11, 7 pm. Band shell in the Jefferson-Lincoln Park, Nevada City Hall.
Great Caesar's Goat with Nevada Alumni Chris Patterson & Danny Grause. Original Americana Music from the Heartland. All donations will go towards the rebuild of Starbuck's Drive-In on East Lincoln Way.
Lisbon Sauerkraut Days
August 13-15
Enjoy Bingo, bathtub races, street dances, great food, and carnival rides!
Lincoln Highway Days
August 28-30, Nevada
This is the 43rd year of commemorating the Lincoln Highway in Nevada with the Lincoln Highway Dash, the Lincoln Highway parade, the community rodeo, Lincoln Highway Car Show, and a special showing of the After Ike documentary at the Camelot.
Calamus-Wheatland Community Fun Days
August 28-30
This three-day festival is held in both communities and switches what is where each year. The street dance and corn hole tournament start things off on Friday, with the Lincolnway 5K and the classic car show on Saturday. Don't miss the annual alumni baseball game on Sunday.
Vail Fun Day
August 29, 4 pm-10 pm, Vail
Fun for the family, community spirit, the opening of the time capsule, and fireworks are just part of the fun planned in Vail!
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Iowa Valley Scenic Byway
Meskwaki Powwow
August 6-9, Tama
This is the 110th year of the Celebration to end the summer with singing,
dancing, eating, and an Indigenous Market! Come learn about the culture, the traditions, and the fun at Iowa's only Settlement.
Blairstown Sauerkraut Days
August 29-31, Blairstown
A parade, a car show, a tractor show, a demolition derby, rolle bolle, and cow chip bingo! How can an event be any better? Oh yes, and there are trike races, a kids dance, inflatables, and a water-ball tournament!
Heritage Days
August 29, 9 am-3 pm, Cedar County Historical Society, Tipton
Step back in time and have a great day of fun with demonstrations, presentations, and good food at the Prairie Village and Museum.
| | Prairie Rivers of Iowa Socials | | Lincoln Highway National Heritage Byway Socials | | Iowa Valley Scenic Byway Socials | | We are a federal 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization uniquely focused on serving natural and cultural resources. We rely on the generosity of our supporters. | | |
All rights reserved. © 2025 Prairie Rivers of Iowa.
Prairie Rivers of Iowa | 3116 South Duff Avenue Suite 201 | Ames, IA 50010
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