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.
Scroll down for a list of 2021 dates towards the bottom of the page.
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.
We also have a native plant sale in the spring with plants grown from seed we harvest.
Scroll down for a list of 2021 dates towards the bottom of the page.
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.
We also have a native plant sale in the spring with plants grown from seed we harvest.
If you are interested in volunteering, fill out this form to receive updates.
Click here to learn how to plant your own prairie garden with our seed packets!
View the Loess Hills plants database here.
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.
Upcoming Events
Check back in spring 2020 for more events!
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.
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.
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Mini Seed School
Tuesday, January 18th 6-8pm and Tuesday, February 8th 6-8pm at Iowa Western in Council Bluffs. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Green Hill Wildlife Management Area
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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Previous Events
Native Plant & Seed Resources
Project Partners
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Funding Provided By
(Specialty Crop Block Grant Program)
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