Iowa Prairie Network Newsletter, Fall 2024
Contains my article, "Regal Fritillary for State Insect" on pg. 1
My Latest Work
Erythronium, Winter 2025
Contains my poem "They Were Always There" and accompanying photo essay, pgs. 4-5
WFAN Zine
Contains my poem "Harvest Morning", pg. 72
Erythronium, Spring 2024
Contains my poem "Shooting Star", pg. 5
Erythronium, Winter 2024
Contains my poem "Goldenrod", pg. 11
Erythronium, Spring 2023
Contains my "Spring Photo Essay", pgs. 12-14
Erythronium, Winter 2023
Contains my first environmental piece "Ladies'-tresses", pg. 1
Why the Regal Fritillary should be Iowa's State Insect
Editor’s note from Laura Belin: This week Iowa wildflower Wednesday highlights the regal fritillary, an insect species that depends on plants native to the tallgrass prairie.
Kara Grady is a writer and plant enthusiast from eastern Iowa. Her work has been published by the Iowa Native Plant Society, Lyrical Iowa, Bleeding Heartland, and most recently by the Women, Food, & Agriculture Network. She currently lives and writes in northeast Ohio.
With the 2024 presidential election looming larg...
Kara Grady is a writer and plant enthusiast from eastern Iowa. Her work has been published by the Iowa Native Plant Society, Lyrical Iowa, Bleeding Heartland, and most recently by the Women, Food, & Agriculture Network. She currently lives and writes in northeast Ohio.
With the 2024 presidential election looming larg...
Iowa wildflower Wednesday: The magic of monarch waystations
Kara Grady is a wildflower enthusiast living in eastern Iowa. Her work has been published in the Erythronium newsletter of the Iowa Native Plant Society. When she’s not going on rare flower adventures, she can be found reading the latest botanical books or attending prairie seminars.
Sitting down outside the crystal store in Amana, my eye was drawn to a sign half-hidden across the way. It was not studded with sparkly jewels, or advertised by bright colors, but nevertheless, I was pulled from...
Sitting down outside the crystal store in Amana, my eye was drawn to a sign half-hidden across the way. It was not studded with sparkly jewels, or advertised by bright colors, but nevertheless, I was pulled from...
Iowa wildflower Wednesday: Woodland wonders at Lake Macbride
Kara Grady is a wildflower enthusiast living in eastern Iowa. Her work has been published in the Erythronium newsletter of the Iowa Native Plant Society. When she’s not going on rare flower adventures, she can be found reading the latest botanical books or attending prairie seminars. The University of Iowa’s Facilities Management website has more information about Macbride Nature Recreation Area in Johnson County.
“And this is called the Mother Oak.”
Land manager Tamra Elliott and I stood...
“And this is called the Mother Oak.”
Land manager Tamra Elliott and I stood...
Kara Grady’s Annual Prairiestomp Across Iowa
Kara Grady is a wildflower enthusiast living in eastern Iowa. Her work has been published in the Erythronium newsletter of the Iowa Native Plant Society. When she’s not going on rare flower adventures, she can be found reading the latest botanical books or attending prairie seminars.
First off, I need to thank Kenny Slocum for letting me borrow his “KAPAI” branding. It wasn’t until I read his “Notes from a prairie tour across Iowa” and related “KAGPAI” articles (for “Kenny’s Annual Great Pra...
First off, I need to thank Kenny Slocum for letting me borrow his “KAPAI” branding. It wasn’t until I read his “Notes from a prairie tour across Iowa” and related “KAGPAI” articles (for “Kenny’s Annual Great Pra...
The surprise of the large-flowered beardtongue
Kara Grady is a wildflower enthusiast living in eastern Iowa. Her work has been published in the Erythronium newsletter of the Iowa Native Plant Society. When she’s not going on rare flower adventures, she can be found reading the latest botanical books or attending prairie seminars. At 2:00 pm on Saturday, August 13, Kara will give a presentation for the Loess Hills Wild Ones Chapter: Fall Wildflowers of Iowa. Click here to register.
“Here, Kara.”
I peer at my dad’s phone screen. It shows...
“Here, Kara.”
I peer at my dad’s phone screen. It shows...
Iowa’s orchids are disappearing, leaving behind more questions
Kara Grady is an amatuer botanist and wildflower enthusiast based in eastern Iowa. Her work has been published in the Erythronium newsletter of the Iowa Native Plant Society. When she’s not going on rare flower adventures, she can be found reading the latest botanical books or attending prairie seminars.
“I think I’ll put a cage around it.”
It was a beautiful blue day in the middle of May, and Chris Edwards and I were both staring at the one lesser yellow lady slipper blooming in his famil...
“I think I’ll put a cage around it.”
It was a beautiful blue day in the middle of May, and Chris Edwards and I were both staring at the one lesser yellow lady slipper blooming in his famil...
