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Unexpected wonders happen, not on schedule, or when you expect or want them to happen, but if you keep hanging around, they do happen. ~ Wendell Berry Oh, what a year. This is a time when there is so much at stake – and so much to inspire awe and gratitude. Prairie Oaks Institute, likeContinue reading “POI: Let’s meet the challenge”

Everything is connected June 2020 It’s becoming increasingly accepted these days that “everything is connected.” It’s now known that the roots of trees, for example, allow them to “talk” to one another, and to send nutrients to members of their community that have been attacked by pests or weakened by disease. This comes to mindContinue reading “President’s June message”

Work restoring native prairie grasses and plantings continues at Prairie Oaks Institute in Belle Plaine. The work has been done in collaboration with the Scott County Soil & Water Conservation District and the City of Belle Plaine. The work is consistent with the Prairie Oaks mission of conservation and sustainability, but it’s also in lineContinue reading “Prairie Restoration Project: Prep, planting, progressing”

Earth Day, April 2020  – Reflections by Dr. Chris Johnson, Prairie Oaks Institute co-founder and president, in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day & POI’s mission. Everyone loves a good story.  In fact, we ARE good stories; we are the stories of our lives.  Stories shape the way we view ourselves and howContinue reading “50th anniversary of Earth Day: April 22”

Around me the trees stir in their leaves and call out, “Stay awhile.” The light flows from their branches. And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say, “and you, too, have come into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled with light, and to shine.” ~ Mary Oliver, When I amContinue reading “Among The Trees: Lessons for Life from A Bur Oak”

A retreat for mature individuals interested in intentionally directing the next stage of their life. May 18-20, 2018 Prairie Oaks Institute https://prairieoaksinstitute.org/contact/ To register: http://www.poifinishingstrong.eventbrite.com What’s next? Would you like to be intentional about your next steps? Whether it is leaving a lifetime career for retirement / re’fire’ment or transitioning to new ventures this workshopContinue reading “Finishing Strong: What’s Next”