Calendar of Events

Featured Events:

Mental Health Awareness Month
May 2025

15th Annual Healthiest State Walk
October 1, 2025

2026 Healthiest State Conference
Spring 2026

2026 Healthiest State Annual Awards
January 2026

Choose a date to view events, or scroll down to see events in order of upcoming dates.

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EmpowerED Minds: The School Wellness Summit
Sep
30

EmpowerED Minds: The School Wellness Summit

EmpowerED Minds: The School Wellness Summit (formerly known as the Iowa BEST Summit) brings together ~1,000 K-12 educators and higher education professionals for a transformative conference focused on fostering well-being and mental health within educational communities.

Join us September 30-October 1, 2025 in Des Moines.

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Soft Trail Stroll: Fourmile Mountain Bike Park Outer Loop
Sep
30

Soft Trail Stroll: Fourmile Mountain Bike Park Outer Loop

Fourmile Mountain Bike Park is a new park on 50 acres of wooded land north of Copper Creek Lake.

Central Iowa Trail Association and Polk County Conservation are working together to create integrated trails and green spaces that will serve as recreation and conservation areas for the entire community. The project goal is to provide a soft surface trail system oriented towards recreational mountain biking, hiking, trail running, and groomed trails for winter fat biking

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Dogtown District Walkability Workshop
Oct
1

Dogtown District Walkability Workshop

Numerous individuals and organizations throughout the greater Des Moines area have an interest in creating walkable, livable places in and around their homes and places of work, play, and community. AARP Iowa is partnering with America Walks and the Des Moines Area MPO to bring together many of those individuals for a no-cost walkability workshop in Des Moines' Dogtown district on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The workshop is designed to engage community leaders, local stakeholders, and walkability advocates in a day of learning how to conduct a walk audit and use the walk audit as an advocacy tool for improving active transportation in their communities.

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Brain Health Summit | Rewired: Social Media's Hidden Impact on Brain Health
Nov
12

Brain Health Summit | Rewired: Social Media's Hidden Impact on Brain Health

In today’s always-connected world, social media plays a significant role in shaping how we see ourselves, others and the world around us.

While it can be a powerful tool for connection, education and inspiration, excessive or unhealthy use of social platforms is increasingly linked to stress, anxiety, depression, comparison traps and burnout. This engaging and thought-provoking session explores the psychological impacts of social media and offers practical tools to cultivate a healthy relationship with digital platforms.

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Improving Health Outcomes Through Preventing Childhood Obesity Conference
Jan
13

Improving Health Outcomes Through Preventing Childhood Obesity Conference

Healthy LifeStars will host its seventh annual conference to bring awareness, education and networking opportunities to prevent childhood obesity by bringing together like-minded people to learn and network. The conference will be virtual this year. The conference will include experts from across the country presenting their cutting-edge research in childhood nutrition, physical activity, and prevention of long term adverse health effects caused by obesity.

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Clinton Half Marathon (and 5K, 10K)
Sep
7

Clinton Half Marathon (and 5K, 10K)

Located in scenic Clinton, Iowa, runners can choose a race distance of 5k, 10k, or Half Marathon. The race starts along 5th Avenue South in Historic Downtown Clinton, quickly traversing Riverview Drive, paralleling the mighty Mississippi, with challenging hill climbs leading to Eagle Point Park’s majestic overlook of the widest part of the Mississippi River! This is one of the most exciting racing experiences of the season!

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Sycamore Trails South Owl to JWR
Aug
19

Sycamore Trails South Owl to JWR

I lead group walks on different trails a few times a month. This free series is designed to help people looking for a simple way to become more active and to increase appreciation of our local soft trails.

What is a soft trail? Simply, it is an unpaved trail. Its surface may be dirt, grass, or crushed rock/gravel.

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Soft Trail Stroll: Grandview Loop Extended
Aug
9

Soft Trail Stroll: Grandview Loop Extended

I lead group walks on different trails a few times a month. This free series is designed to help people looking for a simple way to become more active and to increase appreciation of our local soft trails.

What is a soft trail? Simply, it is an unpaved trail. Its surface may be dirt, grass, or crushed rock/gravel. I am an avid mountain biker and know all these trails very well. I can guarantee that no one will get lost!

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11th Annual Iowa State Fair Historical Walking Tour
Aug
7

11th Annual Iowa State Fair Historical Walking Tour

Walk into Iowa history—one step at a time! Join us for the 11th Annual Historical Walking Tour at the Iowa State Fair on Thursday, August 7 at 8:15 a.m., starting near the Administration Building on the Grand Concourse. This fun, FREE, and educational way to kick off your Fair day is co-hosted by the State Historical Society of Iowa & the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative. 

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2025 Learning Collaborative on Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention
Aug
5

2025 Learning Collaborative on Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention

On Tuesday, August 5, 2025 the Iowa Institute for Public Health Practice, Research and Policy and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services will host its fifth annual virtual learning collaborative on childhood lead poisoning prevention to advance childhood lead poisoning prevention through collective impact. The purpose of this event is to highlight programs and services throughout Iowa that have been successful in implementing strategies for addressing and preventing childhood lead poisoning.

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Muscatine Triathlon
Aug
2

Muscatine Triathlon

The Muscatine Triathlon, presented by Sqwincher®, features a thrilling Sprint Class Triathlon designed for athletes of all levels to push their limits in a scenic and supportive environment. Participants will start with a 750-meter swim, followed by a 12.4-mile bike ride through picturesque Muscatine, and finish with a 5K run that brings them to the heart of our vibrant community. This event combines challenge, camaraderie, and a celebration of fitness, making it a perfect race for both competitive athletes and first-time triathletes alike. Join us for an unforgettable race day experience.

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Soft Trail Stroll: Fourmile Mountain Bike Park Outer Loop
Jul
29

Soft Trail Stroll: Fourmile Mountain Bike Park Outer Loop

I lead group walks on different trails a few times a month. This free series is designed to help people looking for a simple way to become more active and to increase appreciation of our local soft trails.

What is a soft trail? Simply, it is an unpaved trail. Its surface may be dirt, grass, or crushed rock/gravel. I am an avid mountain biker and know all these trails very well. I can guarantee that no one will get lost!

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Soft Trail Stroll: Ewing Park “Up 4 Down 1”
Jul
22

Soft Trail Stroll: Ewing Park “Up 4 Down 1”

This free series is designed to help people looking for a simple way to become more active and to increase appreciation of our local soft trails.

What is a soft trail? Simply, it is an unpaved trail. Its surface may be dirt, grass, or crushed rock/gravel. I am an avid mountain biker and know all these trails very well. I can guarantee that no one will get lost!

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Great Rubber Duck Splash plus Duck Dash 5K
Jul
19

Great Rubber Duck Splash plus Duck Dash 5K

Join North Star for the annual Great Rubber Duck Splash. Adopt a duck for $5 and entrance is free. Come to The Falls on race day to cheer on your ducks as they "swim" the lazy river - first ducks across the finish line win cash prizes (first place is $1,000). This fun family-friendly event has swimming, games, balloon animals and this year there will be a pre-heat race!

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Ride the Island
Jun
15

Ride the Island

This year, River Action is thrilled to present Ride the Island, an exciting twist on Ride the River! Join us on Father's Day for the opportunity to ride the roads and trails on the Rock Island Arsenal while exploring its rich history and visiting iconic landmarks.

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National Trails Day at Fourmile Mountain Bike Park
Jun
7

National Trails Day at Fourmile Mountain Bike Park

National Trails Day is Saturday, June 7, and we are celebrating the new Fourmile Mountain Bike Park. “It features a network of soft surface trails that are ideal for mountain biking, hiking, trail running, and groomed trails for winter fat biking.“

We will meet at 9:00 a.m. in the gravel parking lot at the corner of Williams Street and East Washington Avenue.

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Building a Resilient Workforce: The Platinum Standard for Mental Health Training in the Workplace - FREE Webinar
May
14

Building a Resilient Workforce: The Platinum Standard for Mental Health Training in the Workplace - FREE Webinar

This is a FREE webinar hosted by EFR. In today’s rapidly evolving work environment, creating a culture that prioritizes mental health is crucial for employee well-being and organizational success. This webinar will provide an impactful, practical guide to implementing mental health training programs that can benefit any workplace.

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2025 Arrowhead Trail Run
Apr
19

2025 Arrowhead Trail Run

Arrowhead Trail Run is a 5k marked course at Arrowhead Park near Neola, Iowa. Choose the traditional 5k distance, 2 laps for a 10k, or complete as many laps as you can in a 4 hour Enduro! Medals will be awarded for the top 10 Male and Female in the 5k, 10k and Enduro events. ALL are welcome to run, jog, walk or hike at your own pace.

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Improving Health Outcomes Through Preventing Childhood Obesity Conference
Jan
14

Improving Health Outcomes Through Preventing Childhood Obesity Conference

Healthy LifeStars will host its sixth annual conference to bring awareness, education and networking opportunities to prevent childhood obesity by bringing together like-minded people to learn and network. Join physicians, nurses, public health educators, researchers, teachers, social workers and dietitians in a conversation about the prevention of, and the implications of, childhood obesity!

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