Learn how to be a Steward of Beautiful Land

   Marion-based Trees Forever is offering a free class about beautifying and enhancing parks, community entryways, roadsides, schools, backyards or farms by planting native grasses, trees and wildflowers.

   Residents of Benton and Linn counties and surrounding areas are invited to discover how Iowa's native plants can make surroundings more attractive and functional through  Stewards of the Beautiful Land.

   Sessions are scheduled to begin April 14 at Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center near Toddville. Other classes are scheduled in May, July and August.

   The program will emphasize the use of native plants to help filter stormwater. In addition to learning about prairie wildflowers, native grasses and trees and their use, participants will help plant a rain garden.

   Trees Forever professionals and guest speakers will teach plant identification; basic design principles; what, where and how to plant and more.

Registration deadline is April 5.

Here is more from Trees Forever:

Residents of Benton and Linn counties and surrounding communities are invited to discover how Iowa's native plants can make our surroundings more attractive and functional for themselves, others, and their communities through a program called Stewards of the Beautiful Land.

Trees Forever is offering Stewards of the Beautiful Land as an educational class for participants to learn how to beautify and enhance parks, community entryways, roadsides, schools, backyards or farms by planting native grasses, trees, and wildflowers. There will be a strong emphasis on the use of native plants to help filter stormwater. In addition to learning about prairie wildflowers, native grasses, and trees and their use, people in the class will be able to participate in planting a rain garden. Trees Forever professionals and invited guest speakers will teach you about:

1. Plant identification
2. Basic design principles
3. What, where, and how to plant
4. Establishment practices
5. Site management techniques
6. Safety considerations
7. Potential funding sources

The four sessions of Stewards of the Beautiful Land class are scheduled for:

- Wednesday, April 14, 6-9 p.m. at Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center, Toddville

- Thursday, May 20, 6-9 p.m. at Shellsburg Elementary School, Shellsburg

- Monday, July 19, 6-9 p.m. in Cedar Rapids Block by Block neighborhoods (exact location TBA)

- Wednesday, August 18, 6-9 p.m. at Indian Creek Nature Center, Cedar Rapids

You may register on-line or by phone at 1-800-369-1269. The deadline for registration is April 5. No prior experience or knowledge of prairies and trees is necessary, only a commitment to actively participate. Communities are encouraged to send more than one volunteer to the workshops so that participants can share their knowledge and experience with others. Although there is no registration fee, space is limited.

For more information, please contact Brad Riphagen at briphagen@treesforever.org or 515-386-8788.

This course is made possible through generous support by the Living Roadway Trust Fund of Iowa, Linn County Conservation, Linn County Engineering and Secondary Roads Department, Indian Creek Nature Center, Block by Block, Linn County Soil & Water Conservation District, Benton County Conservation, Benton County Soil & Water Conservation District and Vinton-Shellsburg School District.