Iowa Native Plant Society

05/04/2026

Codfish Hollow (Hamilton) Hill Prairie is home to more than 100 native plant species, including rare false foxglove and one of the northernmost populations of native purple coneflower in the state. Ray & Patti Hamilton purchased the land in 1984 and have stewarded it as a biological preserve ever since, eventually protecting it permanently through a conservation easement with Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.

Tomorrow evening, Ray Hamilton and Jackson County Conservation ecologist Tony Vorwald are leading a guided walk through the prairie from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. If you're in Eastern Iowa, you won't find a better way to spend a Tuesday evening!

📍 Across from Codfish Hollow Barnstormer's parking lot — 35th St & 288th Ave, Maquoketa
🕕 Tuesday, May 5 | 6:00-8:00pm

INPS is co-sponsoring alongside Iowa Prairie Network and Jackson County Conservation. Wear long pants, bring water, and come ready to look closely! Families are welcome.

For more information, email [email protected] or call the Hurstville Interpretive Center at 563-652-3783.

05/03/2026

May is Iowa Wildflower Month, and we kicked off our 2026 field trip season in a wonderful way: with a visit to Cedar Bluffs State Preserve in Mahaska County.

11 members joined us on a beautiful spring morning to explore this special preserve. The trees were leafing out, wildflowers were emerging along the trail, and we even spotted a stunning cluster of turkey tail fungi on a fallen log. 🍄‍🟫

Thank you to the Mahaska County Conservation Board for caring for this gem, and to everyone who came out! We have more field trips planned throughout May, so keep an eye on our page and come explore Iowa's native plants with us. 🌼🌱

03/07/2026

What do you love about Iowa’s outdoors?

Iowa’s parks, trails, wildlife, soil, and water are all part of our quality of life and cause for celebration! Connect with legislators and meet other Iowans passionate about protecting spaces for outdoor recreation and caring for our natural resources at Celebrate Iowa’s Outdoors Day at the Iowa State Capitol on Tuesday, March 24. This family-friendly event will feature interactive displays, the opportunity to connect with legislators and a complimentary lunch.

Join us to celebrate Iowa’s outdoors! 🌿

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrate-iowas-outdoors-day-2026-tickets-1980734473129?aff=oddtdtcreator

03/06/2026

Are you as ready for spring as we are? This rainy day has us staring out the window thinking about next year's garden. ☔️ Mark your calendar for Sunday, May 3 for Native Plant Day at McFarland Park in Ames! Shop for local eco-type native plants while learning about pollinators from some of our community partners - Ames Public Library, Prairie Rivers of Iowa, The Xerces Society, and more 🦋

01/16/2026

Come visit us at the Iowa Prairie Network Winter Seminar on January 24 in Ames! A great opportunity to renew your INPS membership for 2026 🌼

Post-holiday blues? We’ve got just the thing ❄️
The Winter Seminar brings together great speakers, valuable learning, and networking — all in one day!
📅 January 24, 2026
👉 Register here: https://www.iowaprairienetwork.org/events/2026-winter-meeting
See the lineup below 👇

10/23/2025

Congratulations to the winners of our photo contest! These photos will be printed on note cards and available for sale through our website, https://www.iowanativeplants.org/shop/

📸 Kara Grady
📸 Teresa Testroet
📸 Aaron Basten
📸 MJ Hatfield
📸 Tom Scherer

09/29/2025

is celebrated each year on the 4th Saturday of September. The day is an opportunity for nature enthusiasts to give back to public lands by providing land stewardship.

This year, the Iowa Native Plant Society was able to partner with Boone County Conservation Board and the Iowa Prairie Network to celebrate not only National Publics Lands Day, but also a newly discovered remnant prairie in Boone County. Over 25 individuals showed up to explore the remnant prairie, learn about Iowa’s natural history and current on-site research, and help with brush removal and native seed harvest. 🌾

As a way to say thank you to the sponsors and to highlight the significance of the remnant, Boone CCB unveiled a brand new sign to dedicate the remnant for all visitors. The remnant is perfectly named, Violets Ridge. Prairie violets were the very first remnant indicator species discovered on the property.

Read more about the park dedication here: https://www.iowanativeplants.org/2025/09/28/don-williams-park-remnant-dedication/

09/04/2025

🌿 Here are a few snapshots from Saturday’s field trip! The hike was rugged at times, but the group’s energy and enthusiasm made it a fun day in the Loess Hills. The weather cooperated (no rain this time), and the big surprise of the day was spotting pasque flowers blooming as we came off the ridgeline.

07/16/2025

Paha party ✅ Thanks to everyone who joined us on Saturday to explore Casey's Paha State Preserve and Irvine Prairie! These amazing photos from the field trip were provided by Ken Heier, Dr. Tom Rosburg, and Sarah Nizzi

07/09/2025

Ain't no party like a paha party!

Do you know what a paha is? How it forms? What vegetation grows there? 🤔

A paha is one of those geographical features that makes Iowa's landscape actually quite interesting. Our next field trip will take us to Casey's Paha State Preserve with Dr. Tom Rosburg this Saturday, July 12 at 10:00 am.

Casey's Paha is located in northeast Tama County, within Hickory Hills Park. Field trip participants will meet at the parking lot for the archery shelter located at the northwest end of the lake.

Join us on Saturday to learn about this unique Iowa landform!

07/07/2025

Thanks for braving the heat last weekend to explore Keokuk County's cemetery prairies with us! 🌞

Our two field trips were led by Mark Leoschke, botanist for the Wildlife Bureau of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, along with Mr. Eric D. Adams, district conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Muscatine County. In addition, Eric also is the groundskeeper for the Lafayette Cemetery.

Thank you to both field trip leaders! We cannot offer these opportunities without the help of volunteers.