In 1978, after the sale of land that might have expanded Iowa City’s Hickory Hill Park, community leader Nancy Seiberling mobilized a group of citizens to form what became the Johnson County Heritage Trust to protect local natural areas from development.

The public is invited to hear from Bur Oak Land Trust Executive Director Jason Taylor, who will present Strategies in Environmental Conservation at the Project GREEN Second Sunday Garden Forum on Sunday, Jan. 11, at the Iowa City Public Library. The program begins at 2 p.m.

The Trust’s first protected property, Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, was donated in 1981. In 2015, the organization adopted the name Bur Oak Land Trust to better reflect its mission of responsible land management and to eliminate the misconception that its work was limited to Johnson County or that its interests included antiques found in attics.

The nonprofit land trust accepts donations of land from property owners who want their natural areas permanently protected. Its conservation options include establishing and holding conservation easements, facilitating transfers of land from private to public ownership, and advising landowners on land donation, sale, and long-term conservation.

Taylor has been an advocate for land conservation throughout the region, expanding efforts to safeguard natural habitats for future generations. His leadership demonstrates a deep commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement.

Before joining Bur Oak, Taylor worked with VentureLab.org and Project Lead The Way, where he developed innovative STEM curriculum strategies and transformative learning experiences. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps and holds a B.S. in Environmental Science and an M.A. in Educational Measurement and Statistics from the University of Iowa.

Project GREEN and the Iowa City Public Library have partnered for many years to offer educational garden forums that are free and open to the public. The talk will stream live on the Iowa City Public Library’s YouTube channel at The Library Channel. Attendance qualifies ISU Extension Master Gardeners for continuing education hours.