Backyard Abundance is hosting a presentation at the Coralville Library about our bee population. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
So many wonderful eco-events are happening during September that I wanted to highlight a sampling so you can plan your month.
These events are from Backyard Abundance, the Indian Creek Nature Center, Prairiewoods and Noelridge Park. Check out each group’s website for further events and find details of these September activities here:
Wild Food Foraging Event on September 6
NORTH LIBERTY, IA – To help residents learn how to find, identify, and prepare edible plants, flowers and fungi that grow in the wild, Backyard Abundance is hosting a class on Saturday, September 6 from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm at the Lake MacBride Nature Recreation Area north of North Liberty. The event begins at the Bluestem Shelter located a half mile into the park.
The event is free and child-friendly. Attendees should bring collection bags and appropriate hiking gear for traversing off-trail: long pants, hat, sturdy footwear, water bottle, and flashlight. Attendees should take precautions for ticks and poison ivy.
“This will be a fun and informative event. Grocery store food prices are increasing while the nutrient density of the food is decreasing,” says Mike Loots, who will lead the event. “Hiking and foraging for nutrient-rich, wild food increases physical health and saves money on grocery and doctor bills. More importantly, foraging helps us understand the vital importance of healthy ecosystems in a very direct, tactile way.”
Fall Flower Show at Noelridge Greenhouse on Sept. 7
Cedar Rapids – The Good Earth Garden Club will stage the 42nd Annual Flower Show in cooperation with Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation at Noelridge Greenhouse, 4900 Council Street NE, on Sunday, September 7. Anyone is welcome to enter this judged competition with ribbons awarded. There are separate categories for adults and children. Exhibits will be accepted from 6:30-11:00 a.m. They range from floral designs and flower photos to onions and zucchini. Call Helen Venneman, (319) 393-8964, for more information on rules and categories. The show is open to the public free of charge from 1:30-4:00 p.m.
Eco-Swap at Prairiewoods
Sunday, Sept. 7, 1–3 p.m.
Prairiewoods (120 East Boyson Road in Hiawatha) is having its first Eco Swap! This is a great way to trade items you no longer need for things that you really want. And everything is traded, so you don’t need any money. Recycle old belongings and refresh your stock, all in a fun environment. Please bring any items in good condition that you are willing to swap, and be ready for a fun afternoon of “swapping”! This event is free, and registration is not necessary. For more information, contact Prairiewoods at www.Prairiewoods.org or 319-395-6700.
Presentation on Sept. 9: Why Flowers Look the Way They Do
Coralville, IA – Backyard Abundance is hosting a presentation titled “Why Flowers Look the Way They Do” at the Coralville Public Library at 1401 5th Street in Coralville from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, September 9. The event is free and open to everyone.
Attendees will learn about the intricate and amazing relationships between people, plants, and pollinators. Strategies flowers use to get pollinated will be discussed along with Colony Collapse Disorder among our bee population. The presentation concludes by learning how to support a healthier pollinator population through gardening practices and lifestyle choices.
Rose Madrone is a botanist, herbalist, educator and filmmaker. She is the founder and past proprietor of Mountain Rose Herbs. She graduated from the Regenerative Design Institute, the Cascadia Permaculture Institute, and Humboldt State University. She has worked with sustainable systems and immersed herself in the world of plants for most of her life.
She grew up in Iowa City and currently resides in Portland, Oregon working on an exciting film project about the Interconnected Quality of the world. Visit her website: www.ConnectivityProject.com.
For more information visit www.BackyardAbundance.org or call 319-325-6810.
Floodwaters engulf rural Chelsea, Iowa, on July 4, 2014. The Indian Creek Nature Center is hosting a forum and panel discussion on watersheds this month. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Watershed Forum, Saturday, September 13
10-11:30 AM at the Indian Creek Nature Center, 6665 Otis Rd. SE.
Todd Dorman, columnist and editorial board member of The Gazette, will keynote a water
quality forum and panel. Panelists include Steve Cooper, storm water manager, City of Marion; Jennifer Fenci, Indian Creek Watershed Management Authority; Rich Patterson, retired director, Indian Creek Nature Center; Martin St. Clair, Coe College chemistry professor; and Curt Zingula, farmer, Linn County. Sponsored by the League
of Women Voters of Linn County. Free.
Food Forest Walkabout on Sept. 13
Iowa City, IA – Backyard Abundance is hosting an “Edible Forest Walkabout” event in partnership with Iowa City Parks and Recreation at the Wetherby Park Edible Forest at 2400 Taylor Drive in Iowa City from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm on Saturday, September 13. The event is free and open to everyone.
Attendees will get a first-hand look at fruit trees, berry bushes, and edible herbs elegantly arranged using design patterns of healthy woodlands. The nature-inspired design helps create lower-maintenance, edible landscapes that benefit our environment by managing rainwater and providing habitat for desired insects and birds.
During the tour, walking onions will be planted to help discourage pests. All visitors can take home free onion bulbs for their garden. Visitors will enjoy treats made from food harvested at the park. Free herbs can be harvested throughout the tour: lovage, oregano, chives, dandelion, plantain, French sorrel, yarrow, and comfrey.
Free handouts of the Wetherby Park Edible Forest design and plant list will be provided. After the tour, attendees can help move mulch to bare patches and weedy areas.
Attendees are asked to bring:
- Large sheets of cardboard for covering weeds
- Tools: Wheel barrows, pitchforks, shovels, steel rakes, gloves
- Clipboard for taking notes
- Buckets or bags for harvested herbs
Learn more about the Wetherby Edible Forest: http://www.backyardabundance.org/AbundantLandscapes/WetherbyEdibleForest.aspx
For more information visit www.BackyardAbundance.org or call 319-325-6810.
Honey Fest! Sunday, September 21
Noon to 4 PM, Indian Creek Nature Center, 6665 Otis Rd. SE
Fun for the whole family! Enjoy food, honey lemonade, kids’ crafts, games, demonstrations, beeswax candle making and the famous live bee beard.
$4/person in advance; $5/person at the door. Children 3 & under get in free. Advance tickets available at the Creekside Shop & indiancreeknaturecenter.org
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