GOLDEN HILLS RC&D
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Job Openings
    • Who We Are
    • What We Do >
      • Community Partnerships
      • Arts and Culture
      • Water Resources
      • Local Foods
      • Outdoor Recreation & Tourism
      • Land Stewardship
    • Where We Work
  • Events
  • News
  • Donate

Prairie Seed Harvest & Production

About this Project

In fall 2018, we partnered with Pottawattamie County Conservation and Iowa Prairie Network on two events for native prairie seed harvest. We've expanded the program each year since then.

We are working with local partners to find volunteers for the project. Volunteers will visit local prairie remnants and learn how to identify which plants are available for seed collection. The hand-collected seed will then be used for local prairie restoration and reconstruction projects. 

If you are interested in volunteering, fill ou​t this form to receive updates. ​​

Picture
Download a printable brochure about the project.

Seed Harvest Summary for Volunteers

The list below includes a summary of some of the targeted species we are seeking in 2022. Pottawattamie Conservation staff helped make this list, which includes species with a Coefficient of Conservatism score of 4 or higher, and those documented at Hitchcock Nature Center. Click the image for the interactive spreadsheet, or download a pdf of it here.
Picture

View the full Loess Hills plants database here.

This includes all species documented through several inventories in the Loess Hills region, including native and non-native. It has information about where species grow, when they bloom, and much more. 

Project Goals

We have several goals for harvesting prairie seed*:
  • Provide local conservation agencies (county conservation boards, Iowa DNR, land trusts) with local ecotype prairie seed for their larger-scale prairie restoration and reconstruction projects.
  • Make native seed mixes to package and distribute locally.
  • Propagate native plants to sell for local gardens, yards and smaller-scale landscape projects.
  • Establish seed plots to increase efficiency of seed production and harvest in future years. 
  • Create a seed bank to ensure long-term storage and viability of many diverse native species.​
*please note that any seed picked on Iowa DNR (state) lands cannot be taken off-site and must be donated to DNR. All of our seed harvesting will be done with permission from landowners/managers and only used as permitted.

Fall 2022 Events


Prairie Seed Harvest
Hitchcock Nature Center (meet outside the Lodge)

27792 Ski Hill Loop
Honey Creek, IA 51542

Monday, September 12, 2022
6:00-7:30pm

​Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org with questions. 


Picture

Prairie Seed Harvest
Old Town Conservation Area
Lima Trail, Missouri Valley

**Rescheduled due to weather**
New date:
Monday, September 26
6:00-7:30pm

​Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org with questions. 
Picture

Prairie Seed Harvest
Five Ridge Prairie Preserve

West entrance - Hwy 12, Akron, IA
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
6:00-7:30pm

​Please RSVP to lance@goldenhillsrcd.org or call Victoria with Plymouth County Conservation at 712-947-4270.
​
Picture

Prairie Seed Harvest
Loess Hills State Forest - Pisgah Unit

Christiansen Farm - 204 Jaguar Ave.
Thursday, September 22, 2022
5:00-6:30pm

​Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org with questions. 
Picture

Prairie Seed Harvest
Hitchcock Nature Center (meet outside the Lodge)

27792 Ski Hill Loop
Honey Creek, IA 51542

Tuesday, September 27, 2022
6:00-7:30pm

​Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org with questions. 
Picture

Prairie Seed Harvest
Co-hosted by Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
Armstrong Farm - Harrison County

Wednesday, September 28, 2022
5:00-7:00pm

Please RSVP here. 
Picture

Prairie Seed Harvest - Murray Hill Scenic Overlook
1634 Easton Trl., Little Sioux, IA 51545
Monday, October 10, 2022
5:30-7:30pm

​Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org with questions.
Picture

Prairie Seed Harvest
Hitchcock Nature Center (meet outside the Lodge)

27792 Ski Hill Loop
Honey Creek, IA 51542

Tuesday, October 11, 2022
5:30-7:00pm

​Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org with questions. 
Picture

Prairie Seed Harvest - Dahm Farm
Co-hosted by Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation

Thursday, October 13, 2022
4:30-6:30pm

RSVP here.
Picture

Prairie Seed Harvest - Waubonsie State Park
2585 Waubonsie Park Rd, Hamburg, IA 51640

Meet at the Overlook parking lot.
Saturday, October 15
1:00-2:30pm

​Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org with questions. 
Picture

Prairie Seed Harvest - Stone State Park
Co-hosted by Friends of Stone State Park

Meet at the main park office.
Tuesday, October 18, 2022
5:00-7:00pm

​Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org with questions. 
​
Picture

Prairie Seed Harvest - West Oak Forest
55877 195th St Pacific Junction, IA
Thursday, October 20, 2022
5:00-6:30pm

​Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org with questions. 
Picture

Prairie Seed Harvest
Hitchcock Nature Center (meet outside the Lodge)

Due to the wind advisory and gusts up to 50+mph, we have decided to cancel this event. If you have any questions, please email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org. ​
Picture

Previous Events

Events will be added below and on our Events Calendar. 
Sign up to get email updates.

Volunteers can come to as many or as few as they can. If you are unable to attend the entire time, that is fine too. All are free and open to the public. All ages are welcome and no experience is necessary.
Friday, July 29, 2022
6:30-8:0opm
Hitchcock Nature Center - Meet outside the Lodge. 
​Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org to RSVP.
Picture

Monday, June 27, 2022
6:30-8:0opm
Hitchcock Nature Center - Meet outside the Lodge. 
​Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org with questions. 
Picture

Mini Seed School
Tuesday, January 18th 6-8pm and 
Tuesday,  February 8th 6-8pm
​at Iowa Western in Council Bluffs.
Picture

Prairie Seed Processing & Uses of Native Plants
Tuesday, November 30
​6:30-8:00pm
Iowa Western Community College 
Dodge Hall greenhouse
2700 College Road, Council Bluffs


Celebrate Giving Tuesday by volunteering to help process prairie seed harvested this fall. We'll also discuss some of the practical uses of native plants, such as fibers, dyes, & pollinator nests, and have books & resources about native plants.

Free and open to the public. No experience needed. No registration required.
Picture

Hitchcock Nature Center
27792 Ski Hill Loop
Honey Creek, IA 51542

Wednesday, September 1
​6:30-8:00pm
Meet at the Loess Hills Lodge.

​Event may be rescheduled if inclement weather. Check back on the day of the event. 
Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org with questions. 
Picture

Old Town Conservation Area
3370 Lima Trail
Missouri Valley, IA 

Tuesday, September 14
5:30-7:30pm
Rain date of Wednesday, Sept. 15 if postponed due to weather. Check back here or the Facebook event on the day of the event. Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org with questions. 


Picture

Green Hill Wildlife Management Area
​
50501 221st St.
​Council Bluffs, IA 51503

Thursday, September 16
5:30-7:30pm
Event may be rescheduled if inclement weather. Check back here or on the Facebook event on the day of the event.
Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org with questions. 
Picture

Hitchcock Nature Center
27792 Ski Hill Loop
Honey Creek, IA 51542

Friday, September 17
​5:30-7:30pm

Meet at the Loess Hills Lodge.
​Event may be rescheduled if inclement weather. Check back on the day of the event. 

Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org with questions. 
Picture

Eli Slusher Wildlife Management Area
2826 Bluff Road
Hamburg, IA 51640

Saturday, September 25
12:30-2:30pm

Event may be rescheduled if inclement weather. Check back on the day of the event. 
Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org with questions. 
Picture

Waubonsie State Park
2585 Waubonsie Park Road
Hamburg, IA 51640

Saturday, September 25
3:00-5:00pm

Meet at the parking area near the overlook.
Event may be rescheduled if inclement weather. Check back on the day of the event. 

Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org with questions. 
Picture

Hitchcock Nature Center
27792 Ski Hill Loop
Honey Creek, IA 51542

Monday, September 27
​5:30-7:30pm

Meet at the Loess Hills Lodge.
​Event may be rescheduled if inclement weather. Check back on the day of the event. 

Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org with questions. 
Picture

Armstrong Farm 
with Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation

1775 124th Trl.
Pisgah, IA
 51564

Wednesday, September 29
5:30-7:30pm
RSVP here.

Rain date for inclement weather is Sept. 30.
Parking available along the north side of 124th Trail. Look for signage. 

Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org with questions. 
Picture

Vincent Bluff State Preserve
2200 Thallas Street
Council Bluffs, IA 51503

Friday, October 1
​5:30-7:30pm

​Event may be rescheduled if inclement weather. Check back on the day of the event. 
Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org with questions.
Picture

Folsom Point Preserve
50365 Brohard Ave.
Council Bluffs, IA 51503

Monday, October 4
5:00-7:00pm
​Event may be rescheduled if inclement weather. Check back on the day of the event. 
Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org with questions.
Picture

Loess Hills State Forest - Christensen Farm (Pisgah Unit)
204 Jaguar Ave.
Pisgah, IA
 51564

Thursday, October 7
5:00-7:00pm

Parking near the old farmstead off Jaguar Ave. just east of Pisgah.

Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org with questions. 
Picture

Hitchcock Nature Center
27792 Ski Hill Loop
Honey Creek, IA 51542

Sunday, October 10
​5:00-7:00pm

Meet at the Loess Hills Lodge.
​Event may be rescheduled if inclement weather. Check back on the day of the event. 

Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org with questions. 
Picture

Murray Hill Scenic Overlook
1634 Easton Trail
Little Sioux, IA 51545

Monday, October 11
​5:00-7:00pm

​Event may be rescheduled if inclement weather. Check back on the day of the event. 

Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org with questions. 
Picture

Sylvan Runkel State Preserve
with Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation

Meet at Loess Hills Prairie Seminar Campground – intersection of 178th St. and Oak Ave. near rural Castana.
Onawa, IA
Wednesday, October 13
5:00-7:00pm
RSVP here.

Rain date for inclement weather is Oct 14.
Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org with questions. 
Picture

Hitchcock Nature Center
27792 Ski Hill Loop
Honey Creek, IA 51542

Monday, October 18
​5:00-7:00pm

Meet at the Loess Hills Lodge.
​Event may be rescheduled if inclement weather. Check back on the day of the event. 

Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org with questions. ​
Picture

Loess Hills State Forest - Little Sioux Unit
1715 138th Trail
​Pisgah, IA 51564

Wednesday, October 20
5:00-7:00pm

Meet at the parking area at 1715 138th Trail. 
Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org with questions. ​
Picture

Hitchcock Nature Center
27792 Ski Hill Loop
Honey Creek, IA 51542

Friday, October 29
​5:00-7:00pm

Meet at the Loess Hills Lodge.
​Event may be rescheduled if inclement weather. Check back on the day of the event. 

Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org with questions. ​
Picture

Previous Events


Native Plant & Seed Resources


Project Partners

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Funding Provided By

Picture
(Specialty Crop Block Grant Program)
Picture
Picture
Picture

Address

712 South Highway Street 
P.O. Box 189
​Oakland, IA 51560

Contact

Phone: 712-482-3029
General inquiries: info@goldenhillsrcd.org
Visit our Staff Page for email addresses and office hours.
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Job Openings
    • Who We Are
    • What We Do >
      • Community Partnerships
      • Arts and Culture
      • Water Resources
      • Local Foods
      • Outdoor Recreation & Tourism
      • Land Stewardship
    • Where We Work
  • Events
  • News
  • Donate