Johnson County Conservation offers a mix of individual and group volunteer opportunities. Projects primarily center on environmental education, citizen science, and restoration tasks.
Volunteer Newsletter:
To receive notice of volunteer projects and needs, sign up for the Volunteer Newsletter. This e-newsletter is sent out on an "as-needed basis" as volunteer needs arise.
To subscribe to the Volunteer Newsletter by email, click the "sign up" button below, then select "Conservation Volunteer Newsletter."
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Click below for the latest issue of the Volunteer Newsletter:
Volunteer Newsletter - July/August 2026
Prairie Seed Harvest Event Details for 2026:
Seed harvests are volunteer events during which participants hand-harvest specific prairie seeds for use in upcoming prairie restoration projects. Volunteers are trained at the start in how to identify and harvest the target species for that event. No prior experience necessary, and all ages are welcome, but youth should work closely with an adult to ensure correct species collection. Volunteers are welcome to take home seed packets for personal use after each harvest event.
Some events include a hike into the property to reach the plants we wish to harvest. Hikes can be 1/3 - 1.5 miles round trip. Harvests typically include walking into prairie plants that may be 3-4 feet tall. The Accessible Harvests are intentionally focusing on plants that can be harvested right off or very close to parking areas, with paved parking areas or roadways that can be utilized to stand on or travel on. These require little to no hiking.
To sign up for a harvest, go to: JCC Events Sign Up
2026 event locations, dates/times, estimated hiking distances and focus species are listed below:
Wednesday, Sept 16, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Conservation Education Center, Kent Park
Little to no hiking, harvesting golden alexander around CEC, then possibly down at the Boat Ramp Parking Area if time allows.
Wednesday, Sept 23, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
William's Prairie
Hiking through a burned break, then possibly through prairie to reach all species, a total of 1/2 mi hike likely. Focus will be prairie blazing star, hollow-stemmed joe pye weed, and possibly bunchflower.
Wednesday, September 30, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Two Horse Farm
Hiking 1/2-1 mile on grass trail and into prairie. Focus will be on pasture thistle and common milkweed.
Wednesday, Oct 7, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Valley View Prairie, Kent Park
Hiking 1/2-1 mile on grass trail and into prairie. Focus will be on culver's root, compass plant, mountain mint, and swamp milkweed.
Wednesday, Oct 14, 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Cedar River Crossing
Hiking 1 mile roundtrip, into potentially muddy wetland areas. Focus will be on common ironweed, and possibly also swamp milkweed.
Wednesday, Oct 21, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Cedar River Crossing
Very little hiking, but harvest will take place in potentially muddy wetland areas. Focus will be on rose mallow, with a dry option to harvest wild bergamot.
Friday, Oct 23, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Dam Parking Area, Kent Park
*Accessible harvest, no hiking required*
This harvest will take place along the park roadway ontop of the dam on Kent Park Lake. Focus will be on Illinois bundleflower, and possibly also gray-headed coneflower, and tall boneset.
Wednesday, Oct 28, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Red Haw Shelter Area, Kent Park
*Accessible harvest, no hiking required*
This harvest will take place in a prairie right off of the Red Haw Shelter parking area. There is a very short walk from cars to the prairie, and harvest will be on a mowed grass trail. Focus will be on tall coreopsis and bergamot.
Wednesday, Oct 28, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Malinda Reif Reilly Fen and Prairie
Hiking 1 mile roundtrip along a mowed grass trail to harvest wild bergamot, and possibly also flattop aster, hoary vervain, and tall boneset.
Wednesday, Nov 4, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Knight Prairie Pavilion, Kent Park
*Accessible harvest, no hiking required*
This harvest will take place along the prairie edging the parking area and roadway by Knight Prairie Pavilion. The focus will be on stiff and showy goldenrod.
Wednesday, Nov 4, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Conservation Education Center, Kent Park
Hiking 1/2-1 mile roundtrip along both limestone surface and grass trails to the northeast corner of Kent Park to harvest stiff goldenrod and rattlesnake master.
Wednesday, Nov 11, 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Ciha Fen Preserve
Hiking 1/2-1 mile roundtrip to reach area thick with round headed bush clover and spotted bee balm.
*All locations and species focuses are subject to change based on conditions of the site and the seeds. Harvests will be cancelled if it is raining or has recently rained enough to increase mold on collected seeds.