The Iowa State Extension and Outreach of Dallas County’s Perry Learning Center is located at 1122 Willis Avenue. Allison Ullmann/Raccoon Valley Radio

Iowa State Extension and Outreach of Dallas County is continuing to think ahead to spring with a pair of programs starting next week.

Horticulture & Conservation Program Educator Megan Will says the extension will host Pocket Prairies 101 from 6-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 10 at the Perry Learning Center, 1122 Willis Avenue. A second program will be held at the same time on Tuesday, February 24 at the Dallas County Extension Office, 28061 Fairground Road, in Adel.

She adds that the program will help participants discover how small native plant spaces can make a big difference in our local environment. Will details that prairies can help boost pollinator populations and improve soil health while also adding natural beauty.

“Iowa was once all prairie, but we’re finding even in residential areas that if you have a small area with some natives, plant diversity with some flowers blooming at different times, it’s helping the birds, butterflies, bees, beetles, all kinds of things.”

Will explains that a pair of Dallas County Master Gardeners have been working with Dallas County Conservation to host Pocket Prairies 101: Small Spaces, Big Impact.

While the program is free, registration is required through the ISU Extension website. For more information, click here.