Vote for Golden Hills by Thursday!

Golden Hills is in the running to win a video podcast and YouTube video session worth over $1000. Please vote for us by Thursday!

Just click here, select Golden Hills, and enter your name & email to vote for us. Thank you for your support!

This giveaway is part of the Grand Opening & Ribbon-Cutting for Local Stream Media, Loess Hills Media & Podcasts, Tale Slate, and The Studios on Willow on Thursday, January 15th from 4-6pm in Council Bluffs.

Ullr Bash trail fundraiser is Saturday

Ullr Bash Event & Winter Bike Ride

Saturday, January 17th, 2026

10AM-4PM

Join the fifth-annual fundraiser for the Pottawattamie County Trails Association at Tobey Jack's Mineola Steakhouse. Register now for $30, a 25% discount over the $50 day-of fee.

REGISTER and Buy Beef Raffle Tickets HERE.

This year's snow-or-shine event features a 10-MILE all-trail route to Margaritaville and:

•Food, soup, & drinks

•Games

•50/50 Raffle

•Silent Auction

•Live Auction

•Themed Costume Contest

Proceeds support trail development across Pottawattamie County. Participant registration constitutes consent to be bound by terms of the hold harmless agreement, a copy of which is available at the registration site.



What is Ullr, anyway?

Ullr (pron. ‘oo-lar’), stepson of Thor, is heralded among some as the God of winter, so come embrace the spirit on two wheels! Temps will be low, but spirits will be high. Bundle up and channel your inner Ullr on the 4th annual winter party ride on the Wabash! 

Volunteers needed for native seed planting

We're looking for volunteers to help us plant more native seed in the greenhouse next week.

Thursday, January 22

5:30-7:00pm

Dodge Hall Greenhouse at Iowa Western - Council Bluffs

We will plant species that require 30-60 days of cold stratification for our native plant sale this spring.

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

Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org with questions.

Nearly 80 people joined our First Day Hike

Golden Hills partnered 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 on January 1. Nearly 80 people joined the hike, which included 3-mile and 6-mile loop options through the newly-acquired Little Sioux Scout Ranch addition of the Preparation Canyon Unit of Loess Hills State Forest.

Find trail maps for Loess Hills State Forest at goldenhillsrcd.org/lhsf

Practical Farmers of Iowa Conference was last weekend

Golden Hills was a sponsor of this year's Practical Farmers of Iowa Annual Conference, which took place in Des Moines last weekend.

Thank you to everyone who visited our booth! If you are a farmer interested in conservation, make sure to put this conference on your calendar for next year!

Submit your Loess Hills photos for our Hiking Guide!

Do you have high-resolution photos (300 dpi) of your hiking adventures in the Loess Hills?

Golden Hills is seeking photo submissions for the forthcoming Loess Hills Hiking Guide!

Submit your Loess Hills hiking photos here to be considered for inclusion in the guide. If you have any questions, contact project coordinator Seth Brooks.

Iowa Prairie Network Winter Meeting on January 24

Golden Hills will have an informational table at this year's Iowa Prairie Network Winter Meeting on Saturday, January 24th in Ames.

The agenda includes a variety of prairie conservation topics, including pollinators, ecological restoration, prescribed fire, and more.

The seminar itself is free but attendees will pay for their lunch when they register. Box lunches are $11 ($13 for gluten-free). Register by January 16 if would like a lunch. You are also welcome to bring your own lunch. 

Details & registration.

Visit Iowa's Byways for stargazing

Did you know that most Americans cannot see the Milky Way at night due to light pollution?

Astrotourism is a term for people who travel for stargazing adventures.

Many small towns and rural areas can take advantage of their dark skies to attract more visitors. Iowa's scenic byways such as Glacial Trail Scenic Byway, Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, and Western Skies Scenic Byway offer many excellent dark-sky opportunities for astrotourism. 

Check out DarkSky International and DarkSky Iowa to learn more about light pollution and what you can do to reduce it.

Learn more in this recent article from Iowa Capital Dispatch.

Regenerative ag cost-share available

Golden Hills has funding available for farmers to implement practices that improve water quality & soil health.

Learn more at goldenhillsrcd.org/regenag

Support Our Work

Like what you see here? You can donate at any time on our website to support Golden Hills' mission of collaboratively developing and leading community, conservation, and cultural initiatives to improve our quality of life in rural western Iowa. As a small nonprofit, our work depends on donors like you. Thank you for your support!