You're invited to Heritage Valley for a fall prairie seed harvest!
Spend an autumn morning learning about the land, exploring the prairie and hand harvesting native seed to distribute to other parts of the prairie to increase biodiversity. Stay after the harvest to hike around the prairie.
An RSVP is required. This event is now full.
ABOUT HERITAGE VALLEY
Heritage Valley is a 1,200-acre nature area near Decorah. The landscape includes more than three miles of the Upper Iowa River and is home to a diverse mixture of habitats including woodland, prairie and floodplains. The land, which is managed primarily for native plants and wildlife, is stewarded by Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS & EXPECTATIONS
INHF is implementing a few new changes to fall events to help ensure everyone stays safe and healthy.
- We are asking EVERY volunteer to complete a liability form prior to attending any events. Completed forms may be sent to Volunteer Coordinator Melanie Schmidt at mschmidt@inhf.org prior to the event. Please include the name of the event you plan to attend in the subject line. Forms will also be available on site the day of the event, though we encourage you to complete it in advance to help limit close interaction.
- While we are not requiring volunteers to wear masks, we do ask that volunteers respect each other’s space and stay at least 6 feet apart from one another. When it is not possible to do so, we ask that volunteers wear a mask until they can safely distance themselves from others.
- We will be providing all the necessary equipment, but are asking each volunteer to bring along their own work gloves, mask and water bottle. Hand sanitizer will be available at the work day and all equipment will be wiped down prior and after use by INHF staff.
- Attendance at events will be limited. Capacity will vary depending on event locations.
Thank you for helping us ensure we can all safely enjoy being on the land. Please email Volunteer Coordinator Melanie Schmidt at mschmidt@inhf.org with any questions or concerns.
ATTIRE & EQUIPMENT
- Sturdy shoes or hiking boots, long pants and layers
- Insect repellant, mask and water bottle
- 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
DIRECTIONS
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.
> VIEW GOOGLE MAP
QUESTIONS?
Contact Melanie Schmidt at mschmidt@inhf.org
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.