News

Prairie Preview XXVII to be held March 9, 2010

Prepare to be enchanted at the Johnson County Heritage Trust’s 27th annual Prairie Preview, to be held Tuesday, March 9, 2010, at Parkview Evangelical Free Church, 15 Foster Rd., Iowa City, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Writer and photographer Bill Witt will present “Enchantment by Prairie,” weaving together visions of our natural prairies, both past and present, through his beautiful photographs and thoughtful prose.

The Prairie Preview also includes information and displays from local environmental organizations and agencies.  Doors open to the public at 6:30 p.m. for registration and to view the exhibits, with Witt’s presentation at 7:30. Refreshments will be provided following his presentation.  Contact Tammy Richardson (319) 338-7030 for additional information.

Johnson County Heritage Trust's Five Major Goals for 2010:

1. Enhance our capability and capacity in land stewardship.
   -spend more time in property management activities
   -hire a land stewardship professional
   -generate resources through a successful property stewardship campaign
2. Develop and implement a Conservation Easement policy consistent with Land Trust Alliance Practices and Standards.
3. Continue to prepare for Land Trust Alliance Accreditation. 
4. Continue to engage members of our community in conservation and reach a membership goal of 750 members.
5. Volunteer building and management

Johnson County Heritage Trust's Ten Major Accomplishments in 2009:

1. Major restoration at Belgum Grove featuring prairie re-construction and water feature.
2. Invasive species removal and timber stand improvements at O'Mara-Newport Woods and Hora Woods properties.
3. Invasive species removal at Turkey Creek Preserve, Shimek Ravine and Big Grove properties.
4. Completion of JCHT’s first comprehensive easement monitoring.
5. Completed acquisition of 16.5 acres of Dickens Property in partnership Friends of Hickory Hill Park.
6. Exceeded 500 member milestone
7. Secured an office, making JCHT more accessible to volunteers, members and the general public.
8. Promoted Administrator to Executive Director.
9. Logged more than 3,500 volunteer hours.
10. Changed format of JCHT newsletter published bi-annually to a Conservation Journal published quarterly

Tammy is Famous!
What JCHT's Executive Director had to say about the National Land Trust Rally:

Thanks!
Johnson County Heritage Trust would like to thank our many supporters and volunteers.  We would especially like to thank Adams & Baumbach Associates for the discounted rent that has been offered to Johnson County Heritage Trust since we acquired our office space in February, 2009!  The office has been a wonderful addition to our growing organization!  We would also like to thank Quality Care Storage for providing our storage unit free of charge.  The off-site storage is most helpful and provides much needed space in the office. 

Bringing Iowa Back to Belgum Grove Tour

CCI Photos

The JCHT would like to thank Liz Maas co-owner of Transition Ecology and Adjunct Faculty Member at Kirkwood Community College for donating her time, equipment, and students to assist us with a prescribed forest burn at O’Mara-Newport Woods in November.  Liz brought along a few current and past students of her "The Environment: Natural Science Perspectives" Class that she teaches at Kirkwood.  It is volunteers like Liz that make the proper management of JCHT properties possible.

2009 “UNDER A CIDER MOON…A CELEBRATION OF AUTUMN”

A heartfelt thank you to all of donors for JCHT's 'Cider Moon . . . ' event. We couldn't do it without your generosity!
AJ's Copper Garden
Allegiant Air
Amana Colonies Golf
Amana Society Inc.
Augusta Restaurant
Auto Toyz
Babi's Bed and Breakfast
Bagolitas by Janice
Bird's Eye View
Blaine Shaffer
Blue Bird Diner
Bochner Chocalates
Broom & Basket Shop
Brown Deer Golf Club
Brucemore
Budget
Catiri's Art Oasis
Cedar Rapids Rough Riders
Chalupsky's Landscaping & Nursery
Chocolate Haus
Connie Mutel
Coral Ridge Mall
Craig and Nancy Willis
Custom Cutlery & Ironworks
Dana Noble
Dave Parsons and LuAnn Reynolds
Deb Pullin-VanAuken
DeValois, Ross
Devotay
Dick Schwab and Katherine Burford
Dick Sjolund
Doug Boatman
Englert
Fireside Winery
Forever Green
Four Seasons Car Wash
Freeman Lock and Key
Friendly Farms            
Frohwein Office Supplies
Ginny Clemons
Henry's Village Market
Hertene & Stocker
Infinity Skin Care & Spa
Iowa Children's Museum
Iowa City Landscaping
Iowa City Tire & Service
Iowa River Power Company
Iowa Theatre Artist
Java House
Jimmy Jack's Rib Shack
John VanRybroek
Jon Wilson
Karen Kubby (Dawn's Bead & Hide Away
Katherine Burford
Kathy Lu
Laurie Haag
Leash on Life
Leopold Tour
Linda & Robert Scarth
Lorie Reins-Schweer
Marcella David
Marcia Wegman
Marcia Wunder
Michele Maring Miller Studio/Gallery
MidWestOne
Millstream Brewing Co.
Minetta Gardinier
Motley Cow
Museum of Natural History
New Pioneer Coop
Old Creamery Theatre 
One Twenty Six 
Orscheln
Paul Weller & Sara Rynes
Paul's Discount
Phat Daddy's Restaurant
River City Beefstro/Holiday Inn
Riverside Theatre
Ronneburg Restaurant
Ryan Maas
Sayre, Bob & Hutha
Sean McCarty
Starbucks Coffee Co.
Sue Drollinger
Sutliff Cider Company
Tanager Outlet Mall
Terrence and Jill Neuzil
The Art Mission
The Beggarman
Three Samurai Japanese Restaurant
University of Iowa Press
Val Cool
Von Essen Galerie
Wallace Winery
Wayne Petersen

The 2008 James W. Tankard Jr. Book Award, given to the top book in the field of journalism and mass communication, was awarded to University of St. Thomas professor Dr. Mark Neuzil for his book, The Environment and the Press: From Adventure Writing to Advocacy. JCHT members Jack and Fran Neuzil are the proud parents of Dr. Mark Neuzil. Click here for more!

Thank you to Wayne and Dan for painting and putting on the decals and (soon to be) posting the sign at Belgum Grove!

Family Day Photos!

Johnson County Heritage Trust is pleased to announce its 2009 Conservation Award recipient.

Wayne Petersen:  A career conservationist, has dedicated a lifetime to water and soil conservation.  Providing leadership and direction for the reconstruction of 15 acre prairie at Belgum grove, recreation of an oak savanna and the reconstruction of water control structure resulting in creation of a 3 acre water feature.   

Photos from "Under a Cider Moon... A Celebration of Autumn with Johnson County Heritage Trust - 2008":

Here are some photos of the work done by our Americorps volunteers:

October 28, 2007

Here are a few photos from "Under a Cider Moon... A Celebration of Autumn with Johnson County Heritage Trust - 2007":

June 25, 2007

Download info about JCHT's newest project! -- Bringing Iowa Back to Belgum Grove

May 8, 2007

We've got an online copy of the Press-Citizen's May 1st article about our Belgum Grove Project. Click here to view.