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 [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask]