Iowa’s conservation efforts are focused on improving water quality, soil health, and wildlife habitat while remaining productive and profitable. This publication is designed for conservation professionals to help guide their clients in assessing, selecting and incorporating edge-of-field conservation practices most appropriate to their land and goals, and is a companion publication to the Whole Farm Conservation Best Practices Manual (CLG 105).

Native plants are an important part of the ecosystem, especially within the tallgrass prairie! In most communities, non-native plants are brought in for landscaping and visual appeal. However, many native plants are beautiful to look at and make great landscaping plants! In this activity, youth will learn how to identify some native plants in Iowa, use all their senses to observe and describe the plants, and then collect seeds to plant in their community.

Let’s look at a map of Iowa. Can you find where you live? What places have you been to and what have you seen as you’ve driven around the state? In this activity, we will prepare a pizza that is a geological replica of Iowa! Iowa’s rock and mineral foundation is several layers deep. The oldest layer is on the bottom, followed by the next oldest, then the next oldest, and so on. The layers of the earth under Iowa were molten or fluid initially. They hardened with time and pressure. Our pizza crust and cream cheese represent a common rock that is found in the layers deep below Iowa’s surface. It is called limestone. Limestone is also found on the surface of soil. Older rocks exist below the limestone layer, but we will not discuss that today.

One common ecoregion in the state of Iowa includes the Tall Grass Prairie. This activity includes cards with "fun facts" about various wildlife species that call the Tall Grass Prairie home. The fun trivia game helps youth identify wildlife species and learn more about specific characteristics of those species.

Let’s look closely at an important part of our land that needs trees! These areas, called riparian forests, are located beside lakes, streams, and wetlands. Early settlers called these areas “willow thickets” because thick trees and shrubs made them hard to get through. Trees and shrubs next to water grow fast and have root systems that tolerate wet soils. They are very important in maintaining healthy soils!

Nothing seems to make food taste better than cooking it outdoors. The experience can be an excellent learning opportunity for youth whether it is a simple one-pot cookout in the backyard, several cookouts, or a campout.

An outdoor cooking activity can be used to help youth achieve many 4-H learning outcomes, including:

• Learn practical skills
• Acquire positive self-attitude
• Develop leadership capabilities
• Develop abilities to be a responsible group member

Make a birdseed feeder to watch birds in your own backyard.

These To Go Lessons can be used to create a "grab and go" style activity with supplies included. Add your local contact information, print, and cut each sheet in half. The left side can be used on the outside of the paper bag or box to identify the activity, and the right side can be placed in the package as an instruction sheet.

Today, we are learning about nature! Do you have a favorite place to go outside? Have you ever visited a place with a creek or small river? If so, what did you notice or like about those places?

These To Go Lessons can be used to create a "grab and go" style activity with supplies included. Add your local contact information, print, and cut each sheet in half. The left side can be used on the outside of the paper bag or box to identify the activity, and the right side can be placed in the package as an instruction sheet.

Clover Kids lessons are designed for youth in grades K-3.

Youth-serving organizations in Iowa are encouraged to contact their local Iowa State University Extension and Outreach county office to explore partnership opportunities in administering this program.

Do you want to make the Earth a better place to live? It is all about the environment in this project, whether it's plants, animal habitats, environmental issues, saving energy, renewable resources, or recycling! You pick the topic and then learn to make a difference.

Do you like being outdoors? You can become the ultimate explorer by designing an outdoor adventure! Choose from backpacking, biking, camping, canoeing, fishing, or hiking to create an adventure in the outdoors.

The Safety and Education in Shooting Sports project area uses skills and disciplines of shooting to assist young people and their leaders in obtaining knowledge and developing life skills. The disciplines include archery, rifle, shotgun, muzzle loader, and wildlife skills.