This year’s celebration of Soil and Water Stewardship Week (April 26-May 3) marked the 60th anniversary  of the event.  In celebration of this milestone Iowa Conservation Districts and other agriculture organizations held several events to celebrate this year’s theme: “Local Heroes – Your Hardworking Pollinators.”

• A “Let’s Plant for Pollinators” workshop was held for gardeners, homeowners, schools, farmers and landowners interested in protecting our native pollinators. Participants learned how planting a single patio pot, small flower garden or restoring a large-scale prairie could all help provide crucialhabitat to pollinators.
• Conservation Station, a mobile learning center, traveled across the state teaching Iowans how they could improve water quality and keep Iowa’s soil healthy.

• The 2015 American Honey Bee Queen, Gabrielle Hemesath made several presentations to students and educators across the state.  She explained the importance of honeybees to Iowa agriculture and how honeybees are the connection between plants and our plates.
• A pollinator “Lunch and Learn” was held at the Blank Park Zoo for officials in the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.  The event also included an urban conservation tour.

Click here to learn more about these programs and additional programs held in Iowa including a floral and butterfly watercolor workshop.

More event photos from Iowa can be found on the Iowa Department of Agriculture’s flickr site. Don’t forget to share your Local Heroes, Your Hardworking Pollinators success stories and photos with NACD!

Tags: Iowa Conservation Districts, conservation education, Local Heroes Your Hardworking Pollinators, pollinators, Soil and Water Stewardship Week, Stewardship, 2015 American Honey Bee Queen, Gabrielle Hemesath