***Check organization websites for cancellations before event dates.*** 

Bur Oak Land Trust 
buroaklandtrust.org/

Thursday, April 9, 7 p.m.

HIDDEN PRAIRIE: PHOTOGRAPHING LIFE IN ONE SQUARE METER. Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, 1301 Fifth St., Coralville. Ecologist and conservation photographer Chris Helzer spent two years photographing everything he could find within a single square meter of prairie in his hometown of Aurora, Nebraska. While highlighting the incredible diversity of flora and fauna he found within that tiny plot, Helzer was also inspired by the stories unfolding before him and by the peace and wonder he experienced by focusing closely on one place. Helzer, the Director of Science and Stewardship for The Nature Conservancy in Nebraska, will show photos from that second year at his plot and share many of the stories from the project, both his own experiences and those of the species he watched and photographed. The event is free and open to the public. Details and registration here.

Saturday, April 11, 9:30-11 a .m.

SPRING EPHEMERAL HIKE. Big Grove Preserve, 3999 Starry Night Lane NE, Solon, Iowa. Enjoy a wildflower nature hike at Big Grove Preserve. During the hike, we will cover how to identify the different species we find, and teach you a few things about what makes each of them so special. Bur Oak Conservation Director Carter Johnson will lead the tour. Free and open to the public. Details here.

City of Iowa City icgov.org

Saturday, April 11, 1-4 p.m. 

EARTH EXPO. The city will host the 7th annual Earth Expo at the Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center, 220 S. Gilbert St. This free event, hosted by Iowa City Recreation and in collaboration with Climate Action Outreach and Green Iowa AmeriCorps, will feature information and activities for everyone about how every yard, garden, and green space can make a difference. JCMGs and Johnson County Soil Health will staff a table featuring hands-on activities and information about pollinators, butterflies, and native plants. By supporting pollinators, including butterflies, and planting native species, individuals can help create a healthier, more sustainable environment. For all ages; no registration required. Details here.

Saturday, May 2, 7:30 a.m.-noon

IOWA CITY FARMERS MARKET. 415 E. Washington St. Iowa City kicks off its popular open-air farmers market the first Saturday in May at Chauncey Swan parking ramp and the surrounding area. Runs through October. Details here.

EarthMind (formerly Backyard Abundance) earthmindpractice.org

Sunday, April 12, 1-2:30 p.m.

TOOL-SHARPENING FOR GARDENERS. McPherson Park, 1858 7th Avenue Ct., Iowa City. Join us for a free, hands-on class on the basics of sharpening garden tools. Bring your hoes, shovels, or mattocks to sharpen; these digging tools will be the main focus. Also bring any sharpening tools you own so you can learn to use them with confidence. Participants may also bring pruners, loppers, or shears; time permitting, we can demonstrate the basic sharpening techniques used for these finer cutting tools. Details and registration here.

Sunday, April 19, 2-3:30 p.m.

NEIGHBORHOOD FRUIT: EDIBLE BORDERS. Glendale Park, 1250 E. Jefferson St., Iowa City. Explore how yards can become edible landscapes that grow food, strengthen community, and reconnect us with nature. ✱ Learn about fruit trees, berry bushes, and other easy-to-grow perennials that thrive in our climate. ✱ See how a mini-orchard can fit into a small space that borders a yard. ✱ Get hands-on as we prep a small space and plant goumi superfruit berries. Seed-Swap Bonus! Free admission. Details and registration here.

Sunday, April 26, 1-2:30 p.m.

MUSHROOM FORAGING 101. Hickory Hill Park North Entrance, 800 Conklin St., Iowa City. Join us for a guided one-mile hike, where we’ll explore the fascinating realm of fungi hiding in plain sight. Along the way, you’ll learn the basics of mushroom biology, how fungi sustain and heal ecosystems, and how to identify various species. Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned nature lover, all are welcome to discover the wonder beneath our feet. Tickets start at $25; stepped pricing available. Details and registration here.

Johnson County Master Gardeners extension.iastate.edu/johnson/

Saturday, May 9, 9 a.m.-noon

JCMG PLANT SALE & FLEA MARKET. Johnson County Fairgrounds, 3109 Old Hwy. 218 South, Iowa City. Browse and find your favorite perennials, annuals, vegetables, herbs, houseplants, and more – grown exclusively by Master Gardeners. The 17th annual sale will also feature garden tools, plant containers, yard art, books, and other garden-related items. Cash or check only; ATM on site. Details here.

Johnson County Conservation johnsoncountyiowa.gov/department-of-conservation

Thursday, April 16, 5:30 p.m.

BOUNTIFUL HARVEST FARM GREENHOUSE & SEED-STARTING TOUR. 4045 245th St. NE, Solon. The owners and operators of Bountiful Harvest Farm invite the public for a peek into their greenhouse and a free tour of what is growing this time of year on the farm. Participants will learn about seed starting and plant some seeds to take home. Details and registration here.

Wednesday, April 22, 6-7:30 p.m. 

SPRING FORAGING. F.W. Kent Park, 2048 Hwy. 6 NW, Oxford. Take a walk to learn about some of the wild foods that can be found in spring. Each season brings a new bounty of flavors and experiences. We will talk about foraging safety and ethics while hiking and learning. Expect to taste some new things. This free program is open to all ages and experience levels. Details and registration here.

Sunday, May 3, 9 a.m.

NATIVE PLANT SALE & Speaker Series. F.W. Kent Park, 2048 Hwy. 6 NW, Oxford. This plant sale will run concurrently with our pre-registered Native Plant Speaker Series; registration is not required to attend the plant sale only. Troutleaf Native Plants sells plants at each of our 2026 Native Plant Series events. Details here.

Sierra Club – Iowa Chapter sierraclub.org/iowa

Sunday, April 26, 1:30-3 p.m.

EARLIEST FLOWERS OF SPRING WALK. Ryerson’s Woods State Preserve, 2961 Old Hwy. 218 S., Iowa City. Do you know the time in spring when the woodland ground has thawed, but the trees have not  yet leafed? This is the magic time of the blossoming of the hardy native  flowers known as spring ephemerals. Learn the names of each flower, and how this bit of hilly ground became a preserve. Join us for snacks and conversation at the conclusion of our walk. Everyone is welcome. Details and RSVP here.

Tuesday, April 28, 6:30-8 p.m.

IOWA’S WATER: IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY. Iowa City Public Library, Meeting Room A, 123 S. Linn St., Iowa City. Iowa’s water quality is among the worst in the nation. Water quality challenges affect the health and wellbeing of Iowans, who require safe drinking water and clean lakes, rivers and streams for recreation. David Cwiertny, Ph.D., William D. Ashton Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and a professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Iowa, will overview the state of Iowa’s water resources, focusing on challenges at the intersection of water quality, public health, and quality of life in Iowa. Exploring ways to improve water quality in Iowa, Cwiertny’s talk will examine how neighboring states address source-water protection and consumer risks from unsafe drinking water through policy and related programs. There are things we can do today to improve Iowa’s water quality and improve the quality of life and public health of Iowans. Details and RSVP here.

University of Iowa – Office of Sustainability and the Environment

Saturday, April 11, 6 p.m.

IN CONVERSATION WITH SCIENCE WRITER & JOURNALIST ELIZABETH KOLBERT. Voxman Music Building, Concert Hall, 93 E. Burlington St., Iowa City. Join the Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative and Pulitzer Prize winner and veteran New Yorker reporter Elizabeth Kolbert for a conversation on climate change, biodiversity loss, and the role of journalism in shaping public understanding of environmental issues during this free public event. A free public reception at 6 p.m. in the Pearl Lobby of the Voxman precedes the program, which begins at 7 p.m. in the Concert Hall; Kolbert will hold a book-signing immediately following the program. Details and registration here.