This colorful book about many of Iowa's Natives was written and illustrated by 6-month Green Iowa AmeriCorps member Shelby Davison as part of her Professional Development Project. She served with Jackson County Conservation at the Hurstville Interpretive Center during February-August of 2024. Shelby grew up in Maquoketa, and spent many of her summers at Hurstville for various summer camps. She always loved the outdoors and the wonders that grew in the area.
As Shelby grew, she would volunteer with the Hurstville Interpretive Center here and there during the summers off from working as a Paraeducator at her local Briggs Elementary - the same school that she was shown as a student herself the marvels of the Monarch Butterflies. Off and on, Shelby would play with the idea of becoming an author and illustrator, but never gave herself enough time or energy to pursue that dream.
Thanks to her opportunity to join the place she loved so much as a child, through Green Iowa AmeriCorps, Shelby was able to make that dream happen! Over the course of her 6-month term, she planned out this simple and colorful story to not only be used by the Hurstville Interpretive Center on the Storywalk Path, but also to encourage people of all ages to consider planting some of Iowa's Native Rainbow in their own yard!
Edit: Shelby is working on getting her Iowa's Native Rainbow Book officially published (!!!) so it is no longer available to view on this blog. Once the book is officially released we will update this blog post and let you know where you can find an official copy of the book!
You can get in touch with Shelby to learn more by emailing her at sldavison1022@gmail.com