After a few slow weeks, I’m reviving the Bleeding Heartland event calendar. Details on happenings around the state are after the jump.

As always, please post a comment or send me an e-mail if you know of another public event that should be included on this calendar.

Thursday, June 16

The Friends of Iowa Trails Summit takes place in the University of Northern Iowa’s Schindler Education Center in Waterloo. From the organizers: “Some of Iowa’s leading experts on trail development and healthy communities share their ideas on the challenges and opportunities trail organizations face in the coming years. The panelists represent a cross section of professionals, and each will present an innovative and interesting view of issues important to the future of Iowa trails, as well as participate in question and answer sessions.” Various discussion forums will be held between 11 am and 4 pm.

For more details: http://www.iowadot.gov/iowabik…

Friday, June 17

The Friends of Iowa Trails Summit continues in the University of Northern Iowa’s Schindler Education Center in Waterloo from 8 am to 5 pm. There’s also a Friday night barbeque party.

For more details: http://www.iowadot.gov/iowabik…

One Iowa is holding a Pride Month Celebration at the Davis Brown law firm in downtown Des Moines from 6 pm to 8 pm. For details or tickets, call 515.975.5478.

Saturday, June 18

The last day of the Friends of Iowa Trails Summit features “a variety of outdoor recreation exhibits open to the public at Waterloo’s Riverview Recreation Area on Hawthorn Avenue from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This will be an exciting day for the public to explore the wide range of trail recreation opportunities available, as well as a great chance to network with other trail users. Families are welcome. All events on Saturday are free, with food available for purchase.”

The Radish Healthy Living Fair will place in Davenport from 8 am to 3 pm, in conjunction with the Davenport Freight House Farmers Market. “This event showcases options for living healthy from the ground up.” Admission is free for the public; many local organizations and businesses will exhibit.

Iowa City Pride events take place at the Iowa City PedMall from noon to 5 pm.

Local Foods Connection, a non-profit bringing locally-grown foods to low-income residents in Johnson County, is holding its Summer Celebration from 4 pm to 6 pm at Wetherby Park (2400 Taylor Dr. Iowa City). “Bring a dish to share and your own tableware, and come to Wetherby Park for good food, great music, and wonderful people. Together, we will celebrate the efforts of all those who make our programming possible.”

Wednesday, June 22

The Izaak Walton League of America, Iowa Environmental Council, Nebraska Wildlife Federation, and the Center for Rural Affairs are sponsoring a forum on the 2012 farm bill.

Conserving the Land, Water, People and Communities: The 2012 Farm Bill Forum

Every five years, a massive piece of legislation called the Farm Bill determines how tens of billions of dollars will be spent to shape American agriculture and rural communities. Please join us on June 22nd at the Des Moines Chapter of the Izaak Walton League to learn how the Farm Bill impacts our food, soil, air, water and budgets, and how you can shape sustainable food and farm priorities. Additionally, we look forward to hearing your thoughts on Iowa’s Farm Bill conservation priorities.

Draft Agenda:

9:30

Welcome; Introductions

9:45

Overview of Farm Bill programs in Iowa:

John Whitaker, Iowa FSA Director

Richard Sims, Iowa NRCS State Conservationist

10:30

Farm Bill Conservation: Delivery, Results, Needs

I. Conservation Easements & Reserves (Duane Sands, Iowa Natural Heritage; Duane Hovorka, Nebraska Wildlife Federation)

II. Working Land Conservation (Traci Bruckner, Center for Rural Affairs; Francis Thicke and Practical Farmers of Iowa farmers)

III. Conservation Compliance (Brad Redlin, Izaak Walton League)

IV. Targeting Conservation (Craig Cox, Environmental Working Group)

12:30    

Lunch

1:00

Luncheon Speaker:

Jim Gillespie, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

2:00

Discussion: Iowa’s Farm Bill Conservation Priorities

3:00

Next steps; Adjourn

This event is free, open to the public, and lunch will be provided. However, an RSVP is required by June 15. Please contact Gwen Steel at (651) 649-1446 or gsteel@iwla.org to reserve your spot, or if you have any questions. We hope you will join us!

The Des Moines Chapter of the Izaak Walton League is located at 4343 George Flagg Parkway in Des Moines, Iowa.

Iowans interested in the use of fire on natural habitat or land being restored can attend a Loess Hills Fire Seminar Series event from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Smithland Volunteer Fire Department Hall, 110 West Hickory Street in Smithland (Woodbury County). “The Loess Hills Fire Seminar Series is an outreach project aimed at educating and informing the public about the use of prescribed fire for managing our natural resources. Join us for an evening to learn and discuss what is happening in the fire community around you.”

Saturday, June 25

Heartland Pride (covering the Omaha/Council Bluffs area) takes place from noon to midnight at the Flixx Pride Festival Grounds, 1016 S 10th St., Omaha. Anyone (straight or gay) interested in joining the Council Bluffs Community Alliance for the day’s events can contact Hersh Rodasky at 402.619.6331 or look for him on facebook.