North American Prairie Conference

ABOUT the conference

The North American Prairie Conference (NAPC) is America's oldest and most celebrated native grassland conference. It has been held since 1968, roughly every two years. Expect to meet:

• A variety of people deeply committed to prairie, for varied reasons

• Researchers, professors and students who will share the latest findings and questions about its plants, insects and ecosystem

• Landowners and stewardship professionals representing individuals, non-profits, public agencies and businesses who will share their experience in managing and restoring prairie ecosystems

• Thoughtful people who will share how hopeful and inspiring prairie is: offering beauty, personal rejuvenation, even resilience in the face of climate change

• People who are new to the topic of prairie – and those who have spent a lifetime devoted to learning and action about prairie. There’s always more to learn from each other!

All are welcome.

We hope you carry away:

• The bigger picture of “the whole prairie” including its relevance, insects, soil, water, resilience — and the people who care for it

• Peer connections & new ideas as you tackle your decisions, actions or studies

• Inspiration, encouragement and camaraderie that sustain you

• Memories of experiencing beautiful natural places with amazing people

2023 CONFERENCE CONTACTs & Team

• Conference Chair

  • Thomas Rosburg, PhD - Professor, Department of Biology; Curator, Drake University Herbarium, Drake University

    Contact Tom at thomas.rosburg@drake.edu or at (515) 460-4468

• Conference Co-Hosts

  • Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
    This statewide land trust is providing fiscal management, communications and volunteers for the conference.
    Contact Abby Hade Terpstra at aterpstra@inhf.org

  • Prairie Rivers of Iowa
    This non-profit is providing logistics management and sponsor/exhibitor recruitment for the conference.
    Contact Penny Brown Huber at pbrownhuber@prccd.org

• Conference Support Team

  Many leading Iowa prairie enthusiasts are providing support and wisdom to make this a great conference.

2023 CONFERENCE VENUE

The 2023 North American Prairie Conference will take place at The Meadows Events Center in Altoona, Iowa on the northeast side of the Des Moines metro. The Meadows Events Center is connected to to a hotel, casino and racetrack.
*You do not need to pass through the gaming area to enjoy the hotel and events center. You must be 21 or older to enter the gaming area.