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News & Blog: Green Thumbs

Keep up-to-date with the latest news and blog entries from Pottawattamie Conservation! For even more news and updates, sign up for our e-Newsletter!

Litter Busters!

Learn the intrepid tale of the Dump Busters and continue the legacy by busting some litter at Hitchcock Nature Center for Earth Day!

4/16/2021
Rene Stroud, Naturalist
Conservation, Environmental Education, Events, Family Fun, Green Thumbs, Hiking, Hitchcock Nature Center, Holidays, Land Management, Loess Hills, Native Animals, Native Plants, Our Staff, Spring, Volunteering, Zero Waste

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Bumble Bee Bed & Breakfast

A chilly September morning finds two bumble bee bachelors fast asleep and tucked away into a stiff stem goldenrod. A common sight this time of the year for those in the right place at the right time. If these males are fit enough their genetics will be passed on to a new colony of bumble bees next spring.

9/22/2020
Autumn, Green Thumbs, Loess Hills, Native Animals, Native Plants

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Plant Family Focus: Asteraceae

Get to know the Asteraceae family, the largest flowering plant family.

9/10/2020
Malena Brotherson & Kristen Yost, Environmental Education Interns
Conservation, Green Thumbs, Hiking, Land Management, Loess Hills, Native Plants

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Milkweed & Monarchs

Milkweed is essential for monarch butterfly survival. Learn more about this amazing plant & ways you can help support monarch populations.

9/1/2020
Malena Brotherson, Environmental Education Intern
Conservation, Green Thumbs, Homeschool, Land Management, Loess Hills, Native Animals, Native Plants

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Flora Feature: Ironweed

Pretty in purple, Ironweed is a common late summer flower in southwest Iowa.

8/13/2020
Kristen Yost, 2020 Environmental Education Intern
Conservation, Green Thumbs, Hiking, Land Management, Loess Hills, Native Plants

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Experience Healthy Soil, Healthy Planet with Jean Eells at Hitchcock Nature Center

Join Pottawattamie County Conservation in welcoming Jean Eells Ph.D., founder of the eResource Group for her interesting & informative presentation "Healthy Soil, Healthy Planet" coming up on July 13th at 4:00 p.m. at Hitchcock Nature Center. This event is free with park admission or an annual membership & it is open to anyone age 14 & over.  

7/10/2019
Speaker Series, Hitchcock Nature Center, Conservation, Green Thumbs

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Book Review: Bringing Nature Home by Douglas Tallamy

I read and re-read Douglas Tallamy’s book “Bringing Nature Home: How you can sustain wildlife with native plants” the updated and expanded version. This book covers the importance of native plants in the ecosystem and how they are foundational for sustaining our wildlife populations in natural areas and the ever spreading suburbia. Doug covers everything from “what is a native plant” to giving us practical advice on how to re-incorporate native plants into your property’s landscape.

3/8/2019
Native Plants, Book Reviews, Conservation, Green Thumbs

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