Bur Oak Land Trust

Thursday, Oct. 22, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
GOLDEN HOUR – SAVE THE DATE. Bur Oak’s annual year-end fundraiser, Golden Hour, is set for Thursday, Oct. 22 at Wilson’s Ciderhouse in Iowa City. We’re eager to do more for biodiversity and Iowa’s outdoors in 2027, and to take on whatever challenges lie ahead. We hope to see you there as we look ahead to a year of growth and impact. Join us for a special evening as we celebrate a year of strength and determination, made possible by your generous support. Early-bird tickets are $95 until Sept. 9; each ticket includes dinner, drinks, appetizers and dessert. Details and registration here.

City of Iowa City icgov.org/residents/calendar

Now Available through May 15, 2027
ROOT FOR TREES DISCOUNT VOUCHER PROGRAM. The City of Iowa City continues working to grow and expand our tree canopy coverage and tree diversity with the Root for Trees program. Get 50% OFF on the purchase of a tree at participating Iowa City locations. Tree vouchers are valid for half off the retail purchase price of one tree for Iowa City residents, up to a total cost savings of $125 (a $250 tree). Details and registration here.

Tuesday through Saturday, September 22-26
IOWA CITY CLIMATE FEST. The City’s 7th annual Climate Fest will celebrate the ways our community takes action to address climate change with a series of free, family-friendly events. From an expansion of the City’s compost facility to the GROW Solar group buy program, we continue to make progress towards our climate action goals. Climate Fest event details and complete schedule here.

Saturdays, 7:30 a.m.-noon
IOWA CITY FARMERS MARKET. 415 E. Washington St. The City of Iowa City continues its popular open-air farmers market on Saturday mornings at Chauncey Swan parking ramp and the surrounding area. Runs through October. Details here.

Johnson County Conservation mycountyparks.com/County/Johnson/Events.aspxd

Thursday, Sept. 3, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
VOLUNTEER MONARCH TAGGING EVENT. F.W. Kent Park, Conservation Education Center, 2048 Hwy. 6 NW, Oxford. Volunteers are needed to help catch wild monarch butterflies for tagging. This activity supports monarch butterfly research.This location is great for families and folks of all ages. The site of the Conservation Education Center will serve as a base, and participants will follow a gravel-packed path that completes a 1⁄2-mile loop. Updates will be shared via email with all registered participants. We will supply nets for catching butterflies. Sept. 3 details and sign-up here. Additional Monarch Tagging Events are scheduled throughout September. Details and registration here.

Sunday, Sept. 13, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
NATIVE PLANT SERIES AND PLANT SALE. Conservation Education Center, Kent Park, 2048 Hwy. 6 NW, Oxford, Iowa. Johnson County Conservation and JCMGs will co-host the annual Native Plant Series with plant sales and speaker Gina Bartleson. A biologist and Iowa Prairie Network board member, Bartleson will present “The Host Plants Nobody Plants.” Troutleaf Native Plants will hold a native plant sale on-site. Following her presentation, Bartleson will lead a guided native seed harvest around the Center’s prairie surroundings. You do not need to register to attend the plant sale, but registration is required for the native plant series. Details here.

Tuesday, Sept. 15, 4:30-6 p.m.
FALL NATURALIST HIKE. Two Horse Farm, 2257 Sugar Bottom Road NE, Solon. Take in rolling fields of blooming goldenrod on this evening hike. The route will be around 1.5-2 miles long and will include a couple of steep hills. The trail is mostly grass-surfaced. All ages welcome. Details and registration here.

Wednesday, Sept. 16, 10 a.m.-noon
PRAIRIE SEED HARVEST. Conservation Education Center, F.W. Kent Park, 2048 Hwy. 6 NW, Oxford, Iowa. This harvest will start at the Conservation Education Center in Kent Park. The target species is golden alexander. No hiking is required for this harvest, and we will focus on the prairies surrounding the CEC. If time allows, we’ll finish by harvesting golden alexander from rain gardens at the Kent Park Lake Angler’s parking lot. Details and sign-up here. Prairie Seed Harvests also scheduled for September: Wednesday, Sept. 23, 10 a.m.-noon at Williams Prairie Preserve in Oxford; and Wednesday, Sept. 30, 10 a.m.-noon at Two Horse Farm. Other JCC-led seed harvests are scheduled throughout the fall; check JCC’s events calendar for more info.

Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
WINGS & WILD THINGS FESTIVAL F.W. Kent Park, 2048 Hwy. 6 NW, Oxford. Celebrate Iowa’s natural world at the annual Wings & Wild Things Fest, featuring events showcasing the wild and wonderful flora and fauna of our region. The festival will feature hands-on learning activities, guided exploration, and animal meet-&-greets. Meet a live owl; study Iowa’s threatened box turtles; make milkweed seed balls; pick up native plants for your yard; and lots more. Visitors can also enjoy guided bird walks, mushroom forays, and fishing activities. Live music and local food vendors will be on site. Free and open to the public. Partner groups include Iowa City Bird Club, Prairie States Mushroom Club, Indian Creek Nature Center, Johnson County Master Gardeners, Troutleaf Native Plants, Pollinator Partnership, Iowa Master Naturalists, and other local groups interested in conservation. Details here.