Just as spring arrives, a beloved and deeply-rooted environmental learning and networking event will bloom again in downtown Iowa City.
Bur Oak Land Trust will host the 38th year of Prairie Preview Thursday, March 23 at the Iowa City Senior Center, 28 S. Linn St. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. for registration and exhibitor fair. The program begins at 6 p.m.
The event will keep with tradition by featuring a keynote speaker. Connie Mutel, author, passionate
conservationist, and longtime science writer for the University of Iowa’s IIHR-Hydroscience and Engineering department will share visionary ideas promoting biodiversity and hope from her latest book, “Tending Iowa’s Land: Pathways to a Sustainable Future.” Book contributor and Bur Oak Land Trust Board President, Larry Weber will speak about his water-focused vision for land management.
Like in previous years, the Prairie Preview exhibitor fair will have more than 25 organizations ready to share opportunities for local nature enthusiasts to support or get involved in Iowa’s outdoors.
“After a two-year hiatus we are excited to bring this event back to the community,” says Bur Oak Land Trust Executive Director Jason Taylor. “Prairie Preview was my first exposure to Bur Oak Land Trust right out of college, and I’m looking forward to seeing the community gathered together again and connecting over their shared interest in conservation.”
This event is free and open to the public thanks in part to a sponsorship from ACT. Refreshments will be provided.
About the speaker: Connie Mutel has been passionately involved with efforts to protect and restore nature in Iowa for many years. She has spread the word about such efforts through her writing and speaking. Most recently, she edited the book Tending Iowa’s Land: Pathways to a Sustainable Future, released in December, which will be the topic of her Prairie Preview talk (with Larry Weber, a contributing author). Other authored books include The Emerald Horizon and A Sugar Creek Chronicle, which were both introduced at earlier Prairie Preview events. Before retirement, she was a Senior Science Writer at the University of Iowa’s IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering. Connie lives with her husband in an oak woodland north of Iowa City that they are restoring to its native biodiversity and health.
Hi Jason,
I would like to present an exhibit on the prehistoric history of prairie in Iowa.
Dick Baker
Thank you Dick, we will reach out to you via email.
This is great. Some people are still reluctant to go to crowded events due to Covid and others are not going out much anymore due to age.
Will the recording of Connie’s talk be available on line?
By the way, Iowa Press has just printed a book Connie has edited on Tending Iowa’s Land.
It would be great if the presentation were also available on Zoom for those who don’t go to large public gatherings yet.
I would also love to be able to hear the presentations on line and recorded if possible. The Senior Center has been ‘doing’ zoom for several years so they have a good set up. I’m glad you are having it there – a central location with parking and ADA accessible. The SC often has displays of paintings and photos in the Assembly Room and hall ways – are there groups/individuals who have suitable materials that might be displayed?