Events

Barry Mateer will share his observations and ventures since returning to his childhood farm home in Clarke County, Iowa after 40 years of teaching in Nepal and Japan. The discovery of two sets of 2nd great-grandparents on land abstracts set off a series of quests to help ensure native plants, birds, and pollinators could have a safe haven on the land settlers first claimed in 1851. Loess Hills Wild Ones is based in Sioux City, Iowa, however, Barry lives in central Iowa, Clarke County; his presentation may be of interest to others statewide. By registering for this program, you consent to be contacted by Wild Ones and/or your local Wild Ones chapter.

Tours of private gardens with knowledgeable hosts

Join Sarah Nizzi from Xerces to learn about the steps to take in conserving and supporting pollinators at home. Big or small, every conservation effort counts! Sarah will cover the habitat needs of pollinators, site preparation, plant selection, and more!

In depth detail of the plants that will be available at the Spring Plant Sale and a rollout of the details of our grants for Native Gardening.

Double Booth with Wild Ones information and a sales option of Garden Art

Ideas for rain gardens in the Siouxland area.

Guided hike of the Wildflowers of Fowler Forest led by naturalist Dawn Snyder

Our Spring plant sale Members Only Friday,

Open to the public Saturday and Sunday

Until sold out!

Bring your Native Plants to share (we will have plenty to share, too) and enjoy Tea Party refreshments and the gardens at The Flower House!

These three private gardens will be open for a walk and a chat!

Garden Artisan items will be available for purchase at Tom and Cheri's, along with snacks and beverages.  Restroom will be available there, too.

Native Plant Sale with local ecotype and commercial plants available. 

As the seasons roll into late summer and early autumn, the prairie is soon speckled with asters, goldenrod, lobelias, and other botanical treats. Learn how to recognize some of the most common fall wildflower species and their importance to hibernating and migrating pollinators. Kara Grady is a botanist, environmental writer, and podcaster. Seeing asters for the first time during a farm internship sparked a growing curiosity that led to her passion for native plants. She has interned both at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge and for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Currently, she splits her time between volunteering at a local urban farm, raising monarchs at the Linn County Monarch Research Station, and helping complete plant surveys at Lake MacBride State Park.

The first tour is at Hillview Recreation Area near Hinton from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. This area is managed by the Plymouth County Conservation Board. Meet at the Dennis L. Sohl Center for Outdoor Learning to stroll through the native wildflower gardens and rain garden. Hillview is located at 25601 C60, one mile west of Hinton, Iowa.

The second tour is from 10:00 a.m. to Noon. It is located at 1250 Tucker Hill Drive in Hinton, at the home of Danielle & James Metzger. Metzger native gardens were started in Spring of 2020 and are ever expanding with each passing year. Each garden has a name and was designed by Danielle using plants mostly from Loess Hills Wild Ones native plant sales.

Most of the rock borders for the gardens were transported from Danielle’s father’s farm located in Buena Vista County. Danielle has a love for grasses and sedges and her favorite wildflowers are the different species of Purple Coneflower Echinacea and Butterfly Weed Asclepias tuberosa. Her love of the Monarch Butterfly is what sparked and ignited her joy of native gardening.

The garden tours are free, open to the public and are open house format. Refreshments and restrooms are available at both sites.

The Loess Hills chapter of Wild Ones is a non-profit organization that promotes planting native landscapes, both small and large, in Iowa, South Dakota, and Nebraska. Native plants attract native pollinators and wildlife, enhancing your home and the environment. 

Members Only Friday from 3-6PM
Open to the Public Saturday 9AM-12Noon

Marcie's awesome Plant Sale List with photos HERE!

A Garden Walk at the Railroad Museum with beverages and snacks provided!

Seed Harvest with expert guidance! Whether you have NEVER collected seed or you are an old hat, join us for this Prairie Walk and Seed Harvest!

Join Wild Ones Honorary Director Heather Holm as she explores the nesting habitats, life cycles, pollen collection, brood rearing, and general characteristics of some of the most common native bees in eastern North America, while highlighting the pollination of native plants and the mutualism between native plants and native bees.

When creating and managing thriving habitats for native bees, many factors such as seasonal phenology, nesting strategies, and flower preferences must be considered—and with approximately 3,600 species in North America (north of Mexico), there are many unique aspects to keep in mind when managing successful landscapes for bees. 

Come and Join us! A Brief recap of the year and elections, then a Seed Exchange and Potluck with Main Dish Provided!

Join us for an enlightening webinar featuring authors, Neil Diboll and Hilary Cox, as they present their latest book, "The Gardener’s Guide to Prairie Plants." This comprehensive compendium is a treasure trove of knowledge for gardeners looking to incorporate native prairie plants into their landscapes. Neil and Hilary will delve into the making and application of this essential guide, sharing rich historical and ecological insights about prairie ecosystems, all while showcasing stunning images of prairie flora. 

Introduction of Loess Hills Wild Ones activities over the past year and a Hands-On Make & Take of a Wintersowing Container.