Greetings!

Rick Dietz Announced Story County Citizen of the Year

Rick Dietz is the Vice President of Prairie Rivers of Iowa's Board of Directors. He is very active in the community and lends a hand in the PRI Office as he can. He is always willing to help and talk about any potential project. He volunteers for many organizations, including Story County. He has been volunteering for the county since 2001. Lisa Heddens, the Chair of Story County Board of Supervisors, said, “Rick embodies the values of serving a community."

Read the full announcement

Seed Bank Update

Earlier this month, we were visited by our first customer, Deb! We hope that your seeds become a beautiful ecosystem one day.

As fall approaches, now is the best time to plan for your native gardens! Stop by to stock up on native seeds or get advice on how to create a pollinator oasis.

We are open from 9 am to 4 pm Monday through Thursday. We have over 30 species just waiting for you to plant!

Seed Inventory

Byway Buzz

Prairie Rivers receives $5,000 for Inventory of Lincoln Highway Museum

by Jeanie Hau, Byway Coordinator

Prairie Rivers of Iowa received a $5,000 grant from the non-profit, State Historical Society, Inc. The grant will be used to begin a $10,000 project to inventory the Lincoln Highway Museum in Grand Junction.

2 Minute Read

Reed-Niland Corner, Inc. is Formed

by Jeanie Hau, Byway Coordinator

A non-profit group, the Reed-Niland Corner, Inc., has been formed with the purpose of taking over ownership and management of the Reed-Niland Corner in Colo, Iowa.

3.5 Minute Read

Conservation Connection

Pollinator of the Month:

Squash Bees (Peponapis pruinosa)

by Katelyn Rinicker, Pollinator Conservation Specialist

If you had a garden with squash this year, then you probably saw some squash bees! They are a native solitary bee and specialize in squash, meaning they only collect pollen from these types of flowers. Females can be found flying from flower to flower with pollen covering their hind legs. Males will stay in flowers waiting for a female to visit and even sleep there. Each female makes a ground nest composed of a vertical tunnel with offshoots about a foot deep, with eggs and pollen balls nestled inside.

An Interview with a Botanical Artist

by Katelyn Rinicker, Pollinator Conservation Specialist

Amy Welch is a Botanical Artist that creates beautiful paintings of plants. I was able to interview her and get insight into her thought process for these art pieces.

6 Minute Read

How I Spent My Summer Glaciation

by Dan Haug, Water Quality Specialist

This summer I went to Alberta and walked on a glacier. It was fun. It reminded me of Iowa’s icy past and our warming future. I learned a lot. If you read this, you’ll learn something too!

5.5 Minute Read

Story County Water Quality Updates

by Dan Haug, Water Quality Specialist

Rivers were less muddy but still high in nitrate when we tested on August 20.

View the Latest Data

Amending the Clean Water Act

by Dan Haug, Water Quality Specialist

The Clean Water Act no longer works very well in Iowa. The House is proposing amendments that would make it worse.

2.5 Minute Read

Watersheds and Wildlife Events

Monarch Magic!

September 6th, 10 am - 1 pm

Ada Hayden Heritage Park

This is a free, family-friendly event for all ages. Experience the magic of finding native pollinators and making observations as part of a bioblitz!

There will be fun crafts, an obstacle course, a tattoo station, and more.

Ecovision

September 27th, 10 am - 1 pm

Ames Public Library

A sustainability event designed to bring together all community members.

Stop by our table as we join a variety of conservation-minded organizations at the Ames Public Library.

Seed Harvest

October 14th, 4 pm - 6 pm

Jennett Heritage Area South Parking Lot, Story County

We need YOU to helps us collect Iowa Native Seed to enhance pollinator habitats!

No experience necessary! Training will be provided on-site.

Long pants and sturdy shoes are recommended. Dress for the weather and bring water. If able, bring your own gloves and clippers; there is a limited amount available on site.

Byway Events

Iowa Valley

170 years of the Amana Colonies

Wednesday, Sept 3rd, 5 pm. The celebration will feature a BBQ dinner and a dynamic

performance by the Grammy-nominated Alex Meixner Band.

Belle Plaine Country Club 100-Year Celebration

Sept 13th, 8 am. Celebrate 100 years with food, music, golf, and a raffle. Open to the

public.

Cider Stroll

Sept 20th, 9 am- 4 pm, downtown Belle Plaine. Second annual Fall market with vendors,

food, and live music.

Lincoln Highway

Montour Classic Car Show & Shine

Sept 7th, 9 am- 3 pm, Montour. Not just a Car Show when there are Antique Tractors

and a Hot Wheels Race!

Mo Valley Rally

Sept 12-14th, Missouri Valley. Scoop the Loop Friday night. Saturday includes: classic

car show, pet parade, dockdogs competition, wildlife encounter, free Watson Steam

Train rides, craft vendors, and comedy show!

Fly Iowa 2025

Sept 13th, 3 pm- Clinton Airport. This year’s show will feature simulated bomb runs and

bring the heritage of the Vietnam War to the forefront. Fireworks and a drone show will

end the night.

Lincoln Highway Art Festival

Sept 13th, 10 am- 4 pm, downtown Mount Vernon, rain or shine artists’ booths will line

the streets for this 19th Annual Festival.

Tri City BBQ Fest

Sept 19-20th, Denison. Enjoy BBQ competitions, brews, bands, and a Hog Wild Car

Show on Saturday.

Pufferbilly Days in Bloom

Sept 19-21st, downtown Boone. Classic Car Show and Block Party start Friday night.

Autumn Fest & Car Cruise In

Sept 20-21st, Lincoln Park DeWitt. Movie in the park Friday night, then family activities,

car show, and live music on Saturday.

Oktemberfest

Sept 25-28th, Marshalltown. Do to construction downtown, “Detour to Fun” is the theme

this year. Kids’ night, parade, craft vendors, and of course, a car show!

Woodbine Applefest

Sept 27th, 8 am- 11 pm, Woodbine. Cars, motorcycles, tractors, hay bales, and a

helicopter! One of the largest celebrations of apples in the state!

Prairie Rivers On the Web

Lincoln Highway National Heritage Byway on the Web

Iowa Valley Scenic Byway on the Web

Prairie Rivers of Iowa is a federal 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization uniquely focused on conserving natural and cultural resources.

We rely in part on the generosity of our supporters.

Your tax-deductible gift is much appreciated!

prrcd.org/donate

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