Johnson

Native Plant Series- Ecosystem Gardening + Ashton Prairie

Sunday, June 2, 2024

Build conservation practices at home by adding native plants to your landscape. Learn from local experts through a new Native Plant Series. Johnson County Conservation will host four native plant sales and a speaker series in the spring and fall of 2024: May 5, June 2, Sept. 8, and Oct. 6.  Native plants vendors are local Iowa companies, including Allendan Seed Company and Trout Leaf Native Plants. Vendors will be selling plant plugs. The June 2 event will feature Troutleaf Native Plants.

Program Schedule: 

• 9:00-9:40 am- Native Plant Sale w/Troutleaf Native Plants
• 9:40-9:45 am- Welcome & Introduction
• 9:45-10:45 am- The University of Iowa Ashton Prairie Living Lab (APLL) w/Michael Fallon
• 10:45-11 am- Break/Shop Plant Sale
• 11 am- noon-  Ecosystem Gardening w/Tamra Elliot
• 12- 12:30 pm- Program Ends and Plant Sale 

Session Descriptions: 

The University of Iowa Ashton Prairie Living Lab (APLL) w/ Michael Fallon

Situated on the campus of University of Iowa, the Ashton Prairie Living Laboratory (APLL) is a wonderful example of a collaboration between academics and athletics.  The nearly 10-ac APLL is a prairie restoration that features 50+ native prairie species and countless native pollinators and beneficial insects.  Native Plant Symposium attendees will learn about the history of the APLL, including how the prairie restoration was planted, how and why specific native species were selected, and how the prairie has matured since the native seeds were first sown.  Attendees will learn about the upcoming 4th annual BioBlitz at the APLL, too.  A BioBlitz is an event whereby people of all ages help document the biodiversity of the prairie restoration both through the live capture of insects and the recording of images via the iNaturalist app. on their mobile smartphone.

Ecosystem Gardening w/ Tamra Elliot:

Ecosystem gardening emphasizes integration of urban gardening methods with strategies and structures of the ecosystem around providing a more inclusive habitat and allowing us to leverage the natural management toolbox inherent in the ecosystem to enhance the health, functionality, and resilience of your garden.  

Tamra will lead us through the foundation of this principle and explore various examples of the ecosystem toolbox around us. She will discuss how these tools are implemented in her own work in remnant ecosystem management and the outcomes of the implementation.  

Explore how these tools may align with your gardening practices for effective problem- solving and sustainable outcomes.  

Speaker Bios: 

Michael Fallon:

Michael (Mike) Fallon teaches “Prairie Restoration,” a field course in the UI Dept. of Earth and Environmental Sciences.  In late 2018, Mike Fallon and UI undergraduate Megan Lenss began collaborating on what would become the UI Ashton Prairie Living Laboratory (APLL).  In early 2019, the UI Dept. of Athletics granted permission for the establishment of a 1-ac prototype or trial prairie restoration at the UI Ashton Cross Country Course.  In the spring of 2020, Mike Fallon’s Prairie Restoration students and volunteers sowed the initial native plant seed that established the APLL.  Prior to teaching at the UI, Mike owned and operated “Native Landscaping, LLC,” a company that specialized in native landscaping, including prairie, savanna, and woodland restoration.

Tamra Elliot:

Tamra Elliott serves as the University of Iowa Land Manager for the Macbride Nature Recreation Area (MNRA). In her role, she oversees the 485-acre natural area, which is a significant ecological site with diverse remnant ecosystems, including old-growth woodlands, floodplains, and prairies; and once part of the remnant “Big Grove” woodlands found throughout the area. Tamra's expertise in remnant ecosystems contribute to the preservation and restoration of this remnant ecosystem, ensuring that it remains a sanctuary for both wildlife and the community. Her dedication to environmental stewardship and education is evident throughout the many educational programs she works with in addition to her field work.  

Tamra's passion for botany transcends her professional life, as she dedicates her personal time to the conservation and relocating of historic plant populations. Her efforts in updating the vascular plant species inventory have not only deepened her bond with nature but have also led to the discovery of numerous rare and previously undocumented species within conservation areas.

Thanks to partners & sponsors!

The plant sales and speaker series are being supported by the Johnson County Master Gardeners of Iowa. Thanks also to Hills Bank for their sponsorship of the Native Plant event series.

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