Project Summary
Golden Hills, working with local partners, aims to create new markets for sales of locally-sourced and locally–propagated native oak trees. This project was supported by a Specialty Crop Block Grant from USDA from 2017 through 2020. Golden Hills is still working to continue parts of this program within our prairie seed harvest and growing native plants initiatives.
Why Oaks?
Click here to learn more about the importance of native oak trees, risks they are facing, and why we care.
Click here for a list of resources and links to learn more about oaks.
Project Objectives
If you're interested in helping with acorn harvest, fill out the seed harvest volunteer form below. We plan to do acorn harvest along with seed harvest of native prairie grasses and forbs.
Golden Hills, working with local partners, aims to create new markets for sales of locally-sourced and locally–propagated native oak trees. This project was supported by a Specialty Crop Block Grant from USDA from 2017 through 2020. Golden Hills is still working to continue parts of this program within our prairie seed harvest and growing native plants initiatives.
Why Oaks?
Click here to learn more about the importance of native oak trees, risks they are facing, and why we care.
Click here for a list of resources and links to learn more about oaks.
Project Objectives
- Develop an understanding and appreciation of native oaks and oak ecosystems
- Educate people about the need to preserve, protect, and enhance native oaks and oak ecosystems
- Identify public and private lands for harvesting local ecotype acorns.
- Identify partners with land and resources to propagate oak seedlings.
- Train growers to propagate oak seedlings and provide technical assistance as needed.
- Facilitate local sales of oak seedlings.
If you're interested in helping with acorn harvest, fill out the seed harvest volunteer form below. We plan to do acorn harvest along with seed harvest of native prairie grasses and forbs.
Workshops & Trainings
Click here for info about Mike Bevins's nursery and growing practices.
Growing Native Oaks Workshop - Tour of Iowa Native Trees and Shrubs
**this event was postponed due to COVID-19.
Date: March 14, 2020
Location: Iowa Native Trees and Shrubs, Woodward, IA
We will visit and tour Iowa Native Trees and Shrubs near Woodward, Iowa. This trip will offer a first-hand look at the best methods for germinating, propagating, and growing native oaks in a root-control system. Carpooling is encouraged. RSVP required: email [email protected] to sign up.
Mike Bevins of Iowa Native Trees and Shrubs will tell about his experience with growing native trees, including oaks, and show us how it's done at his nursery in central Iowa. This will be a great opportunity to learn more about propagating acorns to grow oak seedlings for sales in Iowa.
This workshop is part of Golden Hills' Native Oak Project. Working with The Naturalist School, local growers, and other partners, Golden Hills aims to create new markets for sales of locally–propagated oak trees using locally-harvested native acorns. This project is supported by a Specialty Crop Block Grant from USDA.
We will start at 10am and expect to end around noon on Saturday, March 14. RSVP to [email protected]. Carpooling is encouraged. It is a 2- to 3-hour drive from Southwest Iowa.
Learn more about this project at http://www.goldenhillsrcd.org/native-oak-project.html
Contact Project Coordinator Lance Brisbois to RSVP and with any [email protected] / 712-482-3029.
2018 Trainings
Workshop #1 - Native Oak Ecology
Saturday, February 3, 2018
9:00am-12:00pm; optional afternoon hike 1-3pm
Workshop agenda.
Project PowerPoint Presentation
Location: Washawtee Lodge - Washawtee Road, Waubonsie State Park, Hamburg, IA
An introduction to the ecology, distribution, and communities of the oaks of western Iowa. This will be an indoor and outdoor workshop, and will include hiking over rugged terrain. The workshop will begin with an overview of the Native Oak Project, a program to support and encourage the planting, production, and marketing of native oaks. This workshop is free and open to anyone committed to the conservation of native oak ecosystems and communities. An optional afternoon hike will continue the outdoor learning immersed in oak savannas and woodlands. If you plan to stay for the afternoon, please bring a lunch. Please RSVP by email to [email protected].
Workshop #2 - Native Oaks of the Loess Hills and the Missouri-Nishnabotna-Nodaway Watersheds
June 9, 2018
(rescheduled from April 14)
9:00am-12:00pm
Location: Waubonsie State Park - meet near the overlook
A field workshop on identification of oaks and associated woody plant communities. A brief overview of the Native Oak Project will be included. Email [email protected] to RSVP.
Tour of Iowa Native Trees and Shrubs
Date: April 21, 2018
Location: Iowa Native Trees and Shrubs, Woodward, IA
We will visit and tour Iowa Native Trees and Shrubs near Woodward, Iowa. This trip will offer a first-hand look at the best methods for germinating, propagating, and growing native oaks in a root-control system. Carpooling is encouraged. Email [email protected] to RSVP.
Workshop #3 - Native Acorns
Late Summer/Fall 2018
Two trainings will teach about identifying, collecting, testing, and storing acorns. These field workshops will demonstrate how to find, collect, evaluate and store native acorns for future germination. An overview of the Native Oak Project will be included. Waubonsie State Park offers the greatest diversity of oaks in the region, but collecting acorns for commercial use is prohibited at the park. This training will be for educational purposes for interested growers to collect acorns in other places. Please email [email protected] for details and to RSVP.
Workshop #4 - Oak Ecology and Acorn Propagation
Winter 2019
This training will provide an overview of the project and information about native oak species and regional ecology. Attendees will also learn about propagating acorns. Participating growers must attend this workshop if they miss the Spring 2018 training and would like to grow in 2019.
Please email [email protected] for details and to RSVP.
Click here for info about Mike Bevins's nursery and growing practices.
Growing Native Oaks Workshop - Tour of Iowa Native Trees and Shrubs
**this event was postponed due to COVID-19.
Date: March 14, 2020
Location: Iowa Native Trees and Shrubs, Woodward, IA
We will visit and tour Iowa Native Trees and Shrubs near Woodward, Iowa. This trip will offer a first-hand look at the best methods for germinating, propagating, and growing native oaks in a root-control system. Carpooling is encouraged. RSVP required: email [email protected] to sign up.
Mike Bevins of Iowa Native Trees and Shrubs will tell about his experience with growing native trees, including oaks, and show us how it's done at his nursery in central Iowa. This will be a great opportunity to learn more about propagating acorns to grow oak seedlings for sales in Iowa.
This workshop is part of Golden Hills' Native Oak Project. Working with The Naturalist School, local growers, and other partners, Golden Hills aims to create new markets for sales of locally–propagated oak trees using locally-harvested native acorns. This project is supported by a Specialty Crop Block Grant from USDA.
We will start at 10am and expect to end around noon on Saturday, March 14. RSVP to [email protected]. Carpooling is encouraged. It is a 2- to 3-hour drive from Southwest Iowa.
Learn more about this project at http://www.goldenhillsrcd.org/native-oak-project.html
Contact Project Coordinator Lance Brisbois to RSVP and with any [email protected] / 712-482-3029.
2018 Trainings
Workshop #1 - Native Oak Ecology
Saturday, February 3, 2018
9:00am-12:00pm; optional afternoon hike 1-3pm
Workshop agenda.
Project PowerPoint Presentation
Location: Washawtee Lodge - Washawtee Road, Waubonsie State Park, Hamburg, IA
An introduction to the ecology, distribution, and communities of the oaks of western Iowa. This will be an indoor and outdoor workshop, and will include hiking over rugged terrain. The workshop will begin with an overview of the Native Oak Project, a program to support and encourage the planting, production, and marketing of native oaks. This workshop is free and open to anyone committed to the conservation of native oak ecosystems and communities. An optional afternoon hike will continue the outdoor learning immersed in oak savannas and woodlands. If you plan to stay for the afternoon, please bring a lunch. Please RSVP by email to [email protected].
Workshop #2 - Native Oaks of the Loess Hills and the Missouri-Nishnabotna-Nodaway Watersheds
June 9, 2018
(rescheduled from April 14)
9:00am-12:00pm
Location: Waubonsie State Park - meet near the overlook
A field workshop on identification of oaks and associated woody plant communities. A brief overview of the Native Oak Project will be included. Email [email protected] to RSVP.
Tour of Iowa Native Trees and Shrubs
Date: April 21, 2018
Location: Iowa Native Trees and Shrubs, Woodward, IA
We will visit and tour Iowa Native Trees and Shrubs near Woodward, Iowa. This trip will offer a first-hand look at the best methods for germinating, propagating, and growing native oaks in a root-control system. Carpooling is encouraged. Email [email protected] to RSVP.
Workshop #3 - Native Acorns
Late Summer/Fall 2018
Two trainings will teach about identifying, collecting, testing, and storing acorns. These field workshops will demonstrate how to find, collect, evaluate and store native acorns for future germination. An overview of the Native Oak Project will be included. Waubonsie State Park offers the greatest diversity of oaks in the region, but collecting acorns for commercial use is prohibited at the park. This training will be for educational purposes for interested growers to collect acorns in other places. Please email [email protected] for details and to RSVP.
Workshop #4 - Oak Ecology and Acorn Propagation
Winter 2019
This training will provide an overview of the project and information about native oak species and regional ecology. Attendees will also learn about propagating acorns. Participating growers must attend this workshop if they miss the Spring 2018 training and would like to grow in 2019.
Please email [email protected] for details and to RSVP.
Address712 South Highway Street
P.O. Box 189 Oakland, IA 51560 |
ContactPhone: 712-482-3029
General inquiries: [email protected] Visit our Staff Page for email addresses and office hours. |