March 2016 events

We want to bring some attention to some events that are coming up in March.

LINN COUNTY MASTER GARDENER
WINTER GARDENING FAIR

Saturday, March 5, 2016
8:15 am – 4:15 pm
Iowa State University Linn County Extension Master Gardeners are hosting a day of horticulture at Coe College in Cedar Rapids. It will be a day of horticultural workshops / classes with experts in over 70 topics such as: Seed Starting at Home, Ash Tree Alternatives, Fairy Garden Workshop, Designing a Pollinator Habitat and New Perennials for 2016. Choose 4 sessions, a keynote, “Blending Science, Art & Passion in the Garden” by monarch butterfly expert, Susie Vanderlip, and lunch at the Coe College cafeteria.

Admission: $59 (includes lunch)  Please click poster to enlarge it. 

Registration information is located on the right of this page

You will find a more complete explanation of all the workshops by clicking for the Winter Gardening Fair brochure

Follow-up: Dr. Chip Taylor's presentation at Kirkwood College

Well over 200 butterfly and pollinator enthusiasts attended the January 20th
event sponsored by The Linn County Master Gardeners

Videos of Dr. Chip Taylor presentation, January 20, 2016
from Linn County Master Gardeners YouTube Channel

Planting for Pollinators Kick-off, Part 1
Planting for Pollinators Kick-off, Part 2

Iowa central to proposed “Monarch Highway”
- By Cindy Hadish/Homegrown Iowan

CEDAR RAPIDS – Travelers along Interstate 35 would share the plus-1,500-mile route with some migrating friends if plans for a “Monarch Highway” take flight.  Chip Taylor, founder and director of Monarch Watch and professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Kansas, described the proposal during his presentation Jan. 20 at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids.

Read the rest of the story at
http://homegrowniowan.com/iowa-central-to-proposed-monarch-highway/

2016 RAGBRAI riders to distribute milkweed seeds

Kelly Guilbeau was on hand to tell people about the RAGBRAI team that will be distributing milkweed seed balls on the 2016 bicycle ride across Iowa.  She is organizing seedball making events to be held this winter.  If you wish to be a part of this effort, or ride on the team please see Milkweed Matters: The Official RAGBRAI Team

Monarchs in Eastern Iowa had a table at the event with information to share.  Thanks to MEI member, Larry A. Long for the photos.