Prairie Preview will offer tips for improving landscapes

IOWA CITY– Prepare to be inspired to take action at the Johnson County Heritage Trust's 28th annual Prairie Preview, to be held Tuesday, March 8, 2011, at Parkview Evangelical Free Church, 15 Foster Rd., Iowa City, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The public is invited to attend Prairie Preview and discover ways to improve environmental health through landscapes. Participants will learn how to create beautiful, low-maintenance and resilient landscapes that also help protect our local watersheds, reduce flooding and decrease erosion.

There will be a panel discussion on “Rain Gardens & Beyond . . . Time for ACTION!” Panelists include include Liz Maas, restoration ecologist; Judith Krieg, wetland scientist, president of EarthView Environmental, LLC, and president of Take a Kid Outdoors; Fred Meyer, executive director, Backyard Abundance; Chant Eicke, senior environmental scientist, EarthView Environmental, LLC and community conservationist; and Jason Grimm, food systems planner, Iowa Valley RC&D.

Prairie Preview also includes isplays and information from local environmental organizations and agencies. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for registration and viewing exhibits. The presentation begins at 7:30, with refreshments served afterward. Contact Tammy Richardson, (319) 338-7030, or visit www.jcht.org for additional information.

Prairie Preview is sponsored by the Johnson County Heritage Trust, Friends of Hickory Hill Park, Project GREEN, Four Seasons Garden Club, Environmental Advocates, Johnson County Songbird Project, Johnson County Conservation Board and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Prairie Preview XXVIII is funded in part by a grant from Iowa's Living Roadway Trust Fund.