Honey Fest, Nature Walk, Bat Watch and more in September

  You can't go wrong with outdoor activities in September and there are plenty to choose from this month. Following are some of the gardening and eco-events scheduled for September 2009 in Eastern Iowa that have come my way. If you know of others this month or next, send an e-mail to: cindy.hadish@gazcomm.com

Sat., Sept. 5,  11 a.m. to 3 p.m., The Linn County Conservation Department is hosting a GeoCaching program at Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center near Toddville.  Geocaching is an outdoor treasure-hunting game in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver to hide and seek containers called “geocaches” or “caches.” This class will cover the basics such as how to use the geocaching web site to advance techniques using a Garmin 60CSx GPSr. The class will conclude by hunting for several geocaches outside. Visit www.LinnCountyParks.com for the complete itinerary or call 892-6485.  Come anytime depending on your skill level. Experienced geocachers will be along to offer assistance. Dress appropriately for the weather. Cost: $2.50/adult, $1/child 16 and under or $5/family

 Sat., Sept. 5, 3-5 p.m., Heirloom tomato tasting, Center Point Historical Society at the garden of Dennis Schlicht, 1108 First Ave., Center Point. Donations accepted for the Historical Society.

 Sat., Sept. 5, noon to 4 p.m., Seed Savers Exchange Tomato Tasting and Seed Saving Workshop, at Seed Saver's Lillian Goldman Visitors Center in Decorah. The free event also includes a salsa contest. For more information, see: www.seedsavers.org/

 Tues., Sept. 8. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Iowa Valley RC&D will be holding a strategic local food system planning meeting at Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center at 10260 Morris Hills Road in Toddville.   The focus of the meeting will be to review and discuss the prioritization of strategies assembled by the task force during the last meeting in July and to discuss possible action items for each strategy.  Since 2005, the Iowa Valley RC&D has been coordinating the Iowa Valley Regional Food Initiative, a program that connects diverse partners, including schools, colleges, local producers, suppliers and community leaders, in developing a sustainable local food system plan for the Iowa Valley region (Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Linn, Poweshiek, Tama counties and the Meskwaki Nation). As food system efforts progressed in the Iowa and Cedar River watersheds, new initiatives were created in Linn County. As efforts at the regional level continue Linn and Johnson County partners have been developing a Strategic Food System Plan for Linn County in a multi-organization task force. For more information please contact Jason Grimm or Christine Taliga at (319) 622.3264 or email Jason@ivrcd.org. Meeting minutes will be posted at the Iowa Valley RC&D website afterwards for those who are interested. www.ivrcd.org

 Wed., Sept. 9, 6:30 p.m., The Linn County Master Gardeners will sponsor an Heirloom Tomato Presentation and Tasting Event to be held at the Lowe Park Arts and Environment Center at 4500 10

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Street, north of Marion.  Presenter Dennis Schlict, an advanced placement science teacher at Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, grows many Heirloom Tomatoes in his home garden in Center Point and is an expert in the field.  There is no registration or fee for this fun and educational public event.  For more information call the Linn County Extension Office at (319) 377 – 9839.

 Thurs., Sept. 10, 6 p.m., Join Deb Engmark, Brucemore's Head Gardener, on a nature walk called, “Trees: A Walking Talk” as she identifies sundry tree species, these species' cultural requirements, and the historic landscaping choices that informed their placement on the grounds. Learn identifying features of tree species found on the Brucemore estate while strolling through the picturesque grounds.  Participants will also gain valuable information that will help when deciding on and caring for various types of trees for their own yards. As the foliage begins to change for fall, it is an optimal time to experience a new facet of why particular landscaping choices were made by O.C. Simonds, the original landscape designer and a founder of the Prairie School landscape movement.  The native trees, with their syncopated fall foliage timing, will illustrate the myriad factors that influenced the overarching landscape design. Admission is $10 per person and $7 per Brucemore member. Pre-registration required. Space is limited, call (319) 362-7375 or visit our website at www.brucemore.org for further information. Brucemore, Iowa's only National Trust Historic Site, is located at 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

 Fri., Sept. 11, 6:30 p.m., Iowa City author Connie Mutel will discuss Iowa's environmental past, present and future during a book reading of: The Emerald Horizon: The History of Nature in Iowa at Prairiewoods. Mutel will lead a walk through Prairiewoods' prairie at 6:30 and discuss the book from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Fee is $15. For more information or to register, call Prairiewoods at 319-395-6700. Prairiewoods is located at 120 E. Boyson Rd., Hiawatha. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

Sat., Sept. 12 and Sun., Sept. 13, The 2009 I-Renew Energy & Sustainability Expo at Frontier Natural Products Co-op, in Norway, Iowa, located northeast of Iowa City and southwest of Cedar Rapids off Highway 151 and just south of Highway 30. This year's Expo will feature workshops and speakers on renewable energy, sustainable living, green building, energy efficiency technology, renewable fuels, alternative transportation, advocacy, energy technology, and related topics. The event will also have a demonstration area featuring cars that run on alternative fuels, solar PV, solar thermal and wind energy, hydrogen storage and a fuel cell, among other demonstrations. Free for members; $10 per day for non-members. See: http://www.irenew.org/

Sun., Sept. 13, 1:30 p.m., The Good Earth Garden Club will stage the 35

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Annual Flower Show in cooperation with Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation at Noelridge Greenhouse, 4900 Council St. NE. Anyone is welcome to enter this judged competition with ribbons awarded. There are separate categories for adults and children. Exhibits range from floral designs and flower photos to onions and zucchini. Call Helen Venneman, (319) 393-8964, for more information on rules and categories. The show is open to the public free of charge from 1:30-4:00 p.m.

Thurs., Sept. 17, 5:30 p.m., Green Drinks meeting will be taking place at Prairiewoods Spirituality Center. Weather permitting, the meeting will be outside around the deck – fire pit (behind the Main building near the pond) and you are welcome to bring your favorite drink to share.  If weather is not conducive to being outside it will be in the Art Room located in the main building. Agenda: 5:30 - 6:30 Socializing & Networking; 6:30 - 8:30 Group Updates - Host Venue Planned Activity - Socializing & Networking. Prairiewoods is located at 120 E. Boyson Road in Hiawatha.  

 Thurs., Sept. 17, 7 p.m., Iowa City Public Library, Indoor Composting with Worms by Fred Meyer and Roxanne Mitten. Worm Kit Distribution $25.00 for a kit with worms. Part of Eco-Iowa City. For more information, visit icpl.org/eco-iowa-city

 Fri., Sept. 18, 7 p.m., Indian Creek Nature Center, BAT WATCH; MEMBER:$3-NONMEMBER:$4-CHILDREN:$1. Learn about the fascinating bat, a beautiful, misunderstood mammal that is an essentail part of a healthy ecosystem. Observe the Nature Center's bat colonies as they leave to forage for the evening. Enjoy bat games and crafts for children. CALL 362-0664 TO REGISTER.

Sat., Sept. 19, 7:30 a.m., The Linn County Conservation Department and the Cedar Amateur Astronomers are presenting an Astronomy Program, an Eye Towards the Heavens at the Eastern Iowa Observatory and Learning Center.  Greg Prickman, with the University of Iowa Special Collections and University Archives, and Brent Studer, Kirkwood Community College will co-present this program. As the greatest and one of the last pre-telescopic astronomers, Tycho Brahe lived on the cusp of a cosmic shift in our understanding of the heavens. A mere eight years after Brahe's death, Galileo turned his spy glass on the heavens and made observations that confirmed Copernicus' sun-centered model of the universe and discrediting Tycho's hybrid earth-centered model. Learn more about the lives of these astronomical giants and have the opportunity to see Tycho's 1602 Astronomiae Instauratae Mechanicathe and Galileo's 1632 Dialogo from the University of Iowa Libraries Special Collections and University Archives. Weather permitting, the presentation will be followed by telescope viewing. The EIOLC is located on Ivanhoe Road 2 miles west of Highway 1, south of Mt Vernon.

 Sat., Sept. 19, 9 a.m. to noon, Linn County Conservation Department will host a Fall Bird Banding Program at Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center near Toddville. Rob Bradley will again be banding birds caught at Wickiup Hill. Visitors may be surprised with special views of summer and fall birds, including many types of woodpeckers, sparrows and finches. Cost is $2.50/ adult, $1/child 16 and under, or $5/family.

Sat., Sept. 19, 4 p.m., West Branch - Join Scattergood Friends School Farm and Practical Farmers of Iowa for a field day and potluck. Some of the topics to be discussed are high tunnel greenhouses, root cellars, and produce subscription services (Community Supported Agriculture or CSAs.) In addition, learn about heritage pigs, a poultry breeds trial, and efforts to encourage women farmers. The Practical Farmers of Iowa -sponsored potluck will begin at 6 p.m. Scattergood Friends School is a Quaker boarding school with approximately 10 acres of certified organic gardens and orchards as well as about 30 acres of pasture used to grass-finish beef and lamb. Scattergood also raises a few heritage breed guinea hogs, Berkshire sows, broiler flocks and a laying flock of 100, and small flocks of guinea fowl and turkeys. Food is raised primarily for school consumption, but some is marketed through New Pioneer Cooperative in Iowa City and Coralville, through a 30-member CSA and at the West Branch farmers market. Bring a local food dish to share for the potluck. Place settings and ice water are provided. Directions: Exit 254 off I-80, north into West Branch, turn east on Main St. (which turns into Herbert Hoover Hwy.), go 2 miles east. Turn right (south) on Delta Ave., go .5 mile to the school. The field day and potluck are free, and everybody is welcome.

Sat., Sept. 19, 2 p.m., Indian Creek Nature Center, BUG ACADEMY; MEMBER:$5-NONMEMBER:$8. The bug guys, Dennis Schlict and friends, will lead an educational insect collecting experience in the prairies and woods. Bug Academy is open to all adults and children 8 years old and over. CALL 362-0664 TO REGISTER.

 Sun., Sept. 20, 1-4 p.m., Indian Creek Nature Center, 11CALL 362-0664 FOR DETAILS.

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Annual Honey Fest, $2/PERSON-ALL CHILDREN THREE YEARS AND YOUNGER: FREE-Honey is a sweet reason to appreciate bees. Explore honey's benefits and its medicinal use throughout history. Learn about the amazing honeybee as you travel the bee trail. Enjoy bee crafts and games, taste food made with honey, see how honey is extracted, enjoy music, and watch in wonder as a beekeeper dons a "beard" of live bees!

 Mon., Sept. 21, 7 p.m., Iowa City Public Library, “Sense of Wonder: Film on the life of Rachel Carson.” Part of Eco-Iowa City.

 Thurs., Sept. 24, 7 p.m., Iowa City Public Library, Energy Efficiency in Your Home, How MidAmerican Energy can help increase efficiency and lower your costs. John O'Roake, Energy Efficiency Manager. 100 free weatherization kits will be distributed, courtesy of MidAmerican Energy. Part of Eco-Iowa City.

Sat., Sept. 26, 9 a.m. to noon, Pharmaceutical Collection, The Nest parking lot at Sycamore Mall, 1500 Sycamore Drive. Part of Eco-Iowa City.

Sat., Sept. 26, 9 a.m. to noon, Join the Linn County Conservation Department and Trees Forever on National Public Lands Day to begin restoring Pinicon Ridge Park's B-Loop campground. The campground was devastated by a tornado last April and over 100 trees were lost as a result of the strong winds. Staff and volunteers will begin replanting and mulching trees in the campground area.  National Public Lands Day is a celebration of public parks and the role they play in our local communities. There is always more work to be done than the public land managers can accomplish. The day enables people to get involved by helping improve their local parks.  Trees Forever and Linn County Conservation are co-sponsoring this event. Some of the trees that will be planted on September 26 will be purchased with a grant through Alliant Energy's Branching Out program, and some were donated through the Trees Forever Recover, Replant & Restore program. For more information, contact us at 892-6450 or conservation@LinnCounty.org

 Sat., Sept. 26, 9 a.m. to noon, The Linn County Conservation Department and the Prairie State Mushroom Club are hosting a Mushroom Foray at Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center near Toddville.  If you ever wanted to know if you could eat that mushroom found in the forest now is your chance. The program will begin in the classroom for tips and identification, but be ready to go deep into Wickiup Hill's woods in search of fungi. Mushroom club members will help with identification. Bring a sack or bag to collect mushrooms, dress for conditions and pack a lunch if you wish. Cost is $2.50/adult, $1/child 16 and under, or $5/family. Mushroom club members free.

Sat., Sept. 26, 9:30 a.m., Monarch butterfly tagging and release,  Forevergreen Garden Center 125 Forevergreen Rd., Coralville. Kathleen Ziemer Butterfliz of Iowa will present the program. Recommended for adults and children ages 3 and up. The program begins at 10 a.m. and lasts approximately one hour.  Tagging will take place from 9:30 to 10 a.m., then will continue after the program. The butterfly release will follow the last tagging session. This is an outdoor event with limited seating bring your chairs.  In the event of rain it will be held under shelter.  Contact:  Lucy Hershberger for more information. Phone:  319-626-2774   E-mail lucyh@forevergreengrows.com

Sat., Sept. 26, 1 p.m., Indian Creek Nature Center, 6665 Otis Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids, Design Ideas to Shrink Your Lawn with guest Evelyn Hadden. Are you interested in using landscaping to lower your heating and cooling costs?  What about different ways to catch and soak up runoff before it creates pooling, erosion, and other problems?  Want to plant some edibles, create more privacy, add habitat for birds or butterflies?  Or do you just want a dose of inspiration to help you design a new garden area?  Learn about these topics and more at this colorful presentation of landscaping ideas by award-winning author Evelyn J. Hadden.  You'll encounter fresh ideas from large-scale (Stroll Gardens, Woodland Gardens) to small (Welcome Gardens, Herb Gardens, Island Beds), and you'll return to your own yard with a renewed sense of its possibilities.  Attendees will receive a list of recommended resources for exploring different strategies in more depth, plus a 20% discount on signed copies of Hadden's award-winning book, Shrink Your Lawn: Design ideas for any landscape.  Call 362-0664 to register. Members of Indian Creek Nature Center: $10  Nonmembers: $15

 Sat. Sept. 26 and Sun., Sept. 27, Culver's Garden Center & Greenhouse, 1682 Dubuque Road (Highway 151 East), Marion,  will hold its annual Fall Open House. Park Farm Winery will hold a free wine tasting in the Garden Center from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, September 26www.culverslandscape.com or by calling (319) 377-4195.

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, and from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday, September 27

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. The tasting will feature Park Farm Winery's native-Iowa wines. Reservations are not necessary. Kids and adults of all ages can also enjoy searching for miniature fairy houses built by Culver's employees and hidden in Culver's greenhouses, nursery and display garden all weekend. Information about Culver's Garden Center & Greenhouse and Culver's Lawn Care & Landscaping, Inc. is available on-line at

 Sun., Sept. 27, 12:30-4:30 p.m., Harshbarger Fall Meeting, Wickiup Hill Learning Center, 10260 Morris Hills Road, Toddville. Speaker: Josh Spence, In the Country Gardens and Gifts, Independence. Hostas are no longer just boring green or green and white plants with ugly purple flowers. Discuss the basics of growing Hostas and keeping them healthy;  explore the endless variety of different Hostas - both old and new, for the casual gardener and the serious Hosta collector and see what's on the horizon for Hostas and get some ideas for using Hostas to create beautiful gardens.  A potluck lunch will be at 1 p.m. Plates, silverware, napkins and lemonade will be furnished. Bring your favorite dish to share. There are outlets for crock pots.

Tues., Sept. 29, 7 p.m., The Linn County Conservation Department is hosting a book reading at Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center near Toddville by author Norma Cutsforth, who will read excerpts from the chapters “September” and “October” of her book, “Keeping Starwatch.”  Cutsforth, of Cedar Rapids, has enjoyed amateur astronomy and membership in the Cedar Amateur Astronomers (a partner of Linn County Conservation) for many years. An opportunity for questions about astronomy, writing and the publishing process will follow the reading. Casual star-watching will conclude the evening, weather permitting. Cost is $2.50/adult, $1/child 16 and under, or $5/family.