Field Trip
Iowa Native Plant Society Annual Meeting
INPS members met September 19, 2026 to participate in our annual meeting. We began with our business meeting. We concluded the day with a hike in the woodlands of McFarland Park in Ames. Fun plants and insects were abundant.
Newsletters
2026 Summer Newsletter
Erythronium Summer 2026 edition Featured and Cover Photo: Tom Scherer
Field Trip
Cedar Bluff State Preserve Field Trip
On May 2, 2026 a group of about a dozen plant enthusiasts celebrated the beginning of Iowa Wildflower Month by exploring the flora of Cedar Bluffs State Preserve in Mahaska County. A crisp but sunny morning greeted the group led Read more
Field Trip
Don Williams Park Remnant Dedication
National Public Lands Day is celebrated each year on the fourth Saturday of September. The day is the nation’s largest, single-day event for public lands volunteerism. It is an opportunity for nature enthusiasts to give back to public lands by Read more
Newsletters
2025 Summer Newsletter
Erythronium Summer 2025 Newsletter Featured Photo: Sarah Nizzi, INPS President
Field Trip
Ridgeline Crawl in the Turin Loess Hills State Preserve
Ten attendees enthusiastically made their slow crawl up a ridge to explore remnant plants of the Loess Hills on August 30, 2025. Turin Loess Hills State Preserve is 220-acre of rugged terrain and home to over 220 native plants. Dr. Read more
Field Trip
Casey’s Paha State Preserve Field Trip
What is a paha? Great question. A paha is significant due to its geological characteristics. The word “paha” is Dakota-Sioux for ridge or hill. Pahas can be found in the state within the Iowan Surface landform. The pahas predominantly occupy Read more
Field Trip
Prairie Cemeteries of Keokuk County Field Trip
INPS Field Trip(s) to Lafayette and Center Ridge Cemetery Prairies in Keokuk County Our two field trips were led by Mark Leoschke, Botanist for the Wildlife Bureau of the Iowa DNR, along with Mr. Eric D. Adams, District Conservationist for Read more
Field Trip
Celebrating 30 Years of the Iowa Native Plant Society
Over 25 attendees joined the INPS board to celebrate 30 years of native plant advocacy and appreciation. The event lasted two days and offered multiple field trips, dinner, and a presentation. Backbone State Park was where the idea of the Read more