Head to Heritage Valley, a 1,200-acre nature area near Decorah, for Into the Wild, Out with the Mustard!
This event will celebrate the 10th anniversary of our volunteer program! While INHF has had many dedicated volunteers since our founding, the volunteer program was officially formed in 2013 when resources became available from the Geitel Winakor bequest. There will be three other anniversary events across the state this year.
Volunteers will hand-pull garlic mustard, one of the most invasive non-native plants in Iowa, from Heritage Valley's woodlands. Garlic mustard spreads rapidly and displaces native plants and wildflowers. If left unchecked, it can do serious damage to wooded landscapes.
Two volunteer shifts are available, from 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-4:30 p.m. Sign up for one or spend the day with us. A bag lunch will be provided. Rain date: Saturday, May 13.
An RSVP is required. Please arrive early to park and check-in.
EQUIPMENT & ATTIRE
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Sturdy shoes or hiking boots, long pants and layers
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Work gloves and water bottle
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A hiking stick, binoculars, field guide and/or camera, if you like
DETAILS
- No experience necessary
- Families welcome
- You will be asked to sign a liability waiver
- Port-a-pot on site
- Terrain can be hilly and uneven. Volunteers are encouraged to work at their own pace and comfort level
DIRECTIONS
Meeting location: Ellingson Bridge Dr. and Red Bud Dr. Decorah, IA 52101 (meeting location is just NORTH of this location)
From Decorah, leaving from W Water St., head west and make a slight right onto College Dr. At the intersection of College and Locust Rd., take a right and follow Locust Rd./W38 for 9 miles. At the intersection of W38 and Big Canoe Rd., take a right and follow for 5 miles. At the 3 way intersection of Balsam Rd., take a right following W60/Balsam Rd. to the intersection of Ellingson Bridge Dr. Take a left and follow Ellingson Bridge Dr. around the bend until you see an INHF sign.
From Waukon, go north on Hwy 76/9th St. NW out of Waukon. In 7 miles, take a left onto Iverson Bridge Rd. Go past Sandpiper Rd. At the first "Y" in the road, go left onto Ellingson Bridge Dr. At the 2nd "Y", go right to stay on Ellingson Bridge Dr. Go over the river and just after Red Bud Dr., look for an INHF sign and staff. Parking is available on a driveway on the left.
> GOOGLE MAP
ABOUT HERITAGE VALLEY
Folded into the far reaches of northeast Iowa, Heritage Valley lingers in the minds of those who visit. Oak-hickory woodlands cloak secluded hills and bluffs. Bony towers of limestone protrude from vibrant goat prairies on sun-soaked slopes. Three miles of the Upper Iowa River determinedly twists through its 1,182 acres. INHF purchased and permanently protected the property in 2007 and has been actively restoring and stewarding the land ever since.
QUESTIONS
Contact Volunteer Coordinator Melanie Schmidt at mschmidt@inhf.org or 515-288-1846, ext. 35.
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation is committed to an equitable opportunity for volunteers to gather, in which we strive toward an environment that is both safe and welcoming for all. INHF continues to work toward creating a more inclusive environment that encourages, supports and affirms the diverse backgrounds of our volunteers. Attendees whose words, actions or behaviors make other attendees feel unsafe or unwelcome at INHF volunteer events will be asked to leave.