The Irvine Prairie located roughly five miles north of Dysart as the crow flies pictured on Friday, June 9, 2023. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

IRVINE PRAIRIE – Bring along a chair and join Women, Land & Legacy from Benton and Tama counties for their upcoming event, “Irvine Prairie Walkabout.” It will be held on Tuesday, July 9 at 1174 55th Street in rural Dysart. The location is three miles north of IA 8 on County Road V-37, then 1¾ miles east on 55th Street. This event will begin promptly at 6 p.m. Since this is an outdoor event, a raindate is scheduled for July 11 at the same time and location. “Pasture-appropriate” footwear, long pants and long sleeves are recommended for uneven terrain and tall vegetation.

This event is free and open to the general public, both women and men. An RSVP is preferred by July 8 by phoning 641-484-2702, ext. 3 or by emailing melody.bro@ia.nacdnet.net .

Irvine Prairie is a 292-acre prairie-in-progress donated to the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) Foundation by local conservationist and retired educator Cathy Irvine in memory of her husband, David. In partnership with Cathy and her farm operator, Iowa Tallgrass Prairie Center is restoring an ecologically diverse tallgrass prairie at the site. In addition to public use, Irvine Prairie provides the Tallgrass Prairie Center and UNI students the rare opportunity to test advanced techniques in prairie restoration and management. But Cathy’s main purpose for Irvine Prairie is to engage current and future generations of students and community members in learning about Iowa’s prairie heritage and appreciating the benefits provided by it.

Event programming will include Allie Barth, Senior Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever in Iowa. Allie shares her wildlife habitat expertise with landowners in Tama, Benton, Linn and Buchanan Counties and provides leadership and training for Iowa Pheasants Forever staff statewide. With over 18 years of experience, Allie helps private landowners and farmers to create, maintain or manage wildlife habitat, largely through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and state and federal cost-share programs.

Benton County Women, Land & Legacy first organized in 2015, while Tama County began its local project in 2007, both part of a statewide USDA outreach project. Women, Land & Legacy is currently active in 45 Iowa counties and brings together Iowans interested in agriculture, local food and natural resources to converse, listen and become empowered for involvement on their landscape and in their communities.

Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to participate in this event should contact Stacie Buhr, 641-484-2702, ext. 3, at least 48 hours before the event or dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunication relay services. USDA is an equal opportunity employer, provider, and lender. USDA and Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex or disability.