Join the Statewide Prairie Rescue

A coalition of conservation groups is holding a statewide Prairie Rescue
event on Saturday, April 20, in celebration of Earth Day 2002.  Volunteers
are needed to help "rescue" prairie sites around the state.

Sponsors decided to expand the event after last year's success.  Partners
include Audobon Iowa, The Nature Conservancy, Iowa DNR, AmeriCorps, the Loess
Hills Preservation Society, Iowa Prairie Network, and the Iowa Natural
Heritage Foundation.

Prairie is an important part of Iowa's natural heritage.  At one time it
covered almost 80 percent of the state, but 99.9 percent of Iowa's original
prairie is now gone.  Though Iowa's prairie once maintained themselves
through prairie fie and other natural means, many of our remaining prairies
require human intervention to keep them healthy.

During the Prairie Rescue event, volunteers will clear invading brush and
trees from Iowa's prairie remnants or conduct other protection activities.
In addition, on-site experts will provide guidance and prairie education.
This is a chance for adults and kids to learn asnd help!

Most of the scheduled events are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., but volunteers are
welcome to sign up for shorter periods.  Participants will be doing physical
work so they should dress in comfortable work clothes, and if possible, bring
work gloves and cutting tools like bow saws or loppers.  Check with th3e
site's contact person for specific details.

For more information or to sign up, see the rescue site page at www.inhf.org
or http://www.state.ia.us/government/dnr/ and get in touch with the contact
person for the site you want to visit.


Erin Jordahl
Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club
3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280
Des Moines, IA 50310
515-277-8868
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