2026 Loess Hills Prairie Seminar & GRASS workday

Join the DNR, INHF, The Nature Conservancy, Monona, Woodbury, Harrison, Pottawattamie County Conservation Boards and many other organizations for The Great Race Against Shrubs and Shade — one of Iowa’s largest land restoration events! This year’s workday will take place at the Turin Wildlife Management Area, where volunteers and partner organizations will work together to remove invasive cedar trees and help preserve the health and vitality of the Loess Hills' hillside prairies.

No RSVP necessary—just show up!

What to expect

·        This event is not for the faint of heart. The terrain is steep and uneven, and the work is intense.

·        Volunteers will clear and pile cedar trees that have been cut by stewardship staff and interns

·        No experience necessary 

Needed attire & equipment

·        Water bottle

·        Sturdy boots or shoes, long pants and shirt you don’t mind getting dirty or torn by thorns

·        Helmet, gloves, loppers, safety glasses, ear plugs and sunscreen—if you have them (we will have a few extras)

Other details

·        Porta-potty will be onsite

·        This site may have ticks, poison ivy, mosquitos, plants with thorns or other natural hazards

 

About Turin Wildlife Management Area

The Monona County Conservation Board and Iowa DNR partnered with the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation to acquire 280 acres from the Reese family — land they had owned since 1856. Overlooking the Missouri River valley from the Loess Hills, the Turin Wildlife Management Area was once a bed-and-breakfast and is now part of the Loess Hills Bird Conservation Area, a key migration corridor for raptors, shorebirds, and songbirds. It also provides critical habitat for species like bullsnakes, fox snakes, six-lined racerunners, and the hognose snake, a species of greatest conservation need.

 

Directions from Onawa— Follow IA-175 east for 7.1 miles to Turin. Turn left onto Oak Ave on the east side of Turin. Continue for three miles and turn left onto 210^th Street. The destination will be on your left. Look for LHPS signs.

  

Stick around after GRASS for the Loess Hills Prairie Seminar. Participate in just one session, the entire day, or stay the whole weekend. Camping is available as well as hotel, area Airbnbs, and a few county-run cabins.

Learn more and register here.