Rummage RAMPage 2026 Results! | | |
The City of Ames, in partnership with Iowa State University, held the event again this year, raising money for 52 non-profit organizations, including Prairie Rivers of Iowa!
The event raised over $70,000 this year and diverted over 138,400 pounds of material away from landfills, including furniture and housewares.
That’s over 10,000 pounds more than last year! In the 10 years the event has been held, more
than 1.1 million pounds of material have been diverted from landfills and over $427,000 raised
for area non-profits. Thanks to you, Prairie Rivers of Iowa received over $880 from the event. This event continues to be a huge success, and plans for next year have already begun.
Prairie Rivers of Iowa wants to thank all of you for participating in sustainable practices by donating items and shopping at the event, and a huge thank you to everyone who volunteered and worked to make the event a success!
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Donate to Prairie Rivers starting on September 14th and ending on October 6th to join in on the Earth Gives Celebration!
We have a goal of raising $5,000 dollars and need your help getting there!
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Story County Water Quality Updates
by Casey Gruefe, Water Quality Specialist
E.coli dominates, modest rains cause local flooding and erosion, and nitrate begins to beat its annual retreat.
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Mussel Relocation at Hannum’s Mill Dam
by Casey Gruefe, Water Quality Specialist
The team managed to relocate more than 450 mussels, including two locally threatened species, the Creek Heelsplitter and Cylindrical Papershell.
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10 Native Shade Plants For Your Yard
by Katelyn Rinicker, Pollinator Conservation Specialist
The team managed to relocate more than 450 mussels, including two locally threatened species, the Creek Heelsplitter and Cylindrical Papershell.
Photo by Peter Gorman, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
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Great Golden Digger Wasp
Sphex ichneumoneus
By Katelyn Rinicker, Pollinator Conservation Specialist
They have golden hair on their head and thorax with reddish-orange legs and most of its body. These golden insects are about 1 and a half inches long. The adults drink nectar and can commonly be found buzzing around flowers in open fields. While these wasps are solitary, females sometimes share a nest in sunny open areas with sandy soils. They are not aggressive to people. They are a beneficial insect because they primarily feed their young
| | paralyzed grasshoppers. Keeping grasshoppers in check helps keep your gardens looking beautiful! These wasps also feed many predators, like birds and reptiles. | | Watershed and Wildlife Events | | | | |
Wheels & Wings
September 19th,
Join Story County Conservation, the Iowa Outdoor Alliance of Story County, and the Iowa Bicycle Coalition for Wheels & Wings, a monarch-themed bike ride celebrating the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail and its connections with communities, conservation, and cycling across southern Story County.
Pedal through Slater, Huxley, Cambridge, Maxwell, and Collins as the trail links these communities (21 miles one way) into one shared outdoor experience.
Prairie Rivers will be tabling at a stop and giving out native seed packets!
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Midwest Farm Conservation Survey by Pollinator Partnership
If you are familiar with or have participated in the CRP program or other Farm Bill Programs, Pollinator Partnership wants to hear from you!
To qualify for this survey, you must currently own and/or manage farmland in one of the following states: Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, or Ohio. Please complete the survey in one sitting and take it only once.
It takes about 15 minutes to complete.
Your participation is voluntary and will make a huge difference for the Midwest’s leadership in agriculture. Your responses will not identify you, as results will be aggregated and anonymized.
Pollinator Partnership (a 501c3 nonprofit) is conducting this survey under contract for the USDA. If you have questions about this survey, please contact Jordan Phelps (jordan@pollinator.org) or Vicki Wojcik (vw@pollinator.org) at Pollinator Partnership. Your input really matters.
Thank you!
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After 100 Years, Preston’s Station is Now in Its Preservation Era
By Jeanie Hau
With Mary Helen’s new mural in place and restoration work on Preston’s Historic District drawing closer, here’s a look back at Preston’s Station as it reached its 100‑year milestone.
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Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway
Pufferbilly Days
Sep 18-20. Boone.
2026 marks the 50th year for this annual Boone Community Event. The theme is Through the Decades featuring 20+ events including car and train shows!
Applefest
Sep 26, 7:30 am-11 pm. Woodbine.
A car show, a motorcycle show, a tractor show, train rides, loud pipes, a stein holding contest, a food tour, and two bands all packed into one Annual event celebrating the community…and apples!
40th Annual Oktemberfest
Sep 23- 27. Marshalltown.
Vintage Trolley Rides are the highlight for those following the reconstruction of the Lincoln Highway in front of the courthouse. See the new location of the 1928 marker and enjoy the family festival!
TRI CITY BBQ Fest
Sep 19-20. Denison.
Downtown Denison is going to be on fire! This festival is 100% non-profit event created by the Chamber & Development Council of Crawford County. Note the Hog Wild Car Show and BBQ!
More Lincoln Highway Events
Check out our event calendar at the bottom of our website for more things to do on the Lincoln
Highway Heritage Byway!
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Iowa Valley Scenic Byway
Tama County Fall Market
Sep 10-13 and Sep 18-20. 2821 370th St. Chelsea
Tama Co. Market provides a rural shopping experience of handpicked and repurposed items as well as pumpkins, mums, and all of your fall decorating needs.
Blairstown Sauerkraut Days
Sep 4-6. 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!
| | 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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