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.

Let’s visit the South Sycamore Trails! The trailhead is in the parking lot of the Polk County River Place building at 2309 Euclid Ave, in Des Moines. Meet by 10:00 a.m. at the large trail map in the southeast corner of the lot.

Join us for a stroll through the woods of Southwoods Park. The driveway for this park is just off 35th Street, across from the West Des Moines Learning Resource Center. Meet by 10:00 a.m. in the disc golf course parking lot.

Let’s head to Sycamore Trails in Johnston again. Meet by 10:00 a.m. at the gravel parking lot on the south side of 66th Avenue, just west of the Des Moines River.

The Harvest & Handmade Fair at Water Works Park presented by Wellabe is a family-friendly event featuring over 125 vendors, activities & games, live entertainment, food truck village & more. Home Depot will provide activities for kids 12 and under.

Join us to run OR walk OR ride (bike, scooter, etc) the 5K course to remember the babies that have died during pregnancy or infancy.

Each October, Prairie Trail Elementary comes together for our annual Fun Run and this year, it's sweeter than ever with our candy-themed 1-mile Dash! This exciting event promotes health, community, and school spirit while raising essential funds for our PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization) to support student programs, school needs, and teacher resources throughout the year.

Join Jones County Conservation Staff as we take a guided walk around Central Park Lake as part of the 15th Annual Iowa Healthiest State Walk.

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.

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

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.

Let’s head to Ewing Park again. Meet by 10:00 a.m. in the Ashley Okland Star Playground parking lot on south side of McKinley, just west of Indianola Avenue.

We’ll take the footbridge over soapbox derby track. There we’ll go up Trail 2 and down Trail 4. Then we’ll come back along the creek. This totals about 1.8 miles.

Join us for our hilliest walk yet! We will walk Hillside at Center Trails in Des Moines. Meet in the Ashworth Pool parking lot at the end of 45th Street by 10:00 a.m.

Join us for a walk at Denman Woods. This flat trail is south of Center Trails in Des Moines. Park along the south side of North Valley Drive west of the bridge over Walnut Creek. Meet by 10:00 at the west end of the bridge.

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!

Let’s stroll the loop to levee at Sycamore Trails in Johnston. Meet by 10:00 a.m. at the gravel parking lot on the south side of 66th Avenue, just west of the Des Moines River.

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.

Join us for a stroll through the woods of Southwoods Park. This park is just off 35th Street, south of Mills Civic Parkway, in West Des Moines. Meet by 10:00 a.m. in the disc golf course parking lot.

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!

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. 

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

Join us for a walk at Denman Woods. This flat trail is south of Center Trails in Des Moines. Park along the south side of North Valley Drive west of the bridge over Walnut Creek. Meet by 10:00 at the west end of the bridge.

Let’s stroll the short loop at Sycamore Trails in Johnston. Meet by 10:00 a.m. at the gravel parking lot on the south side of 66th Avenue, just west of the Des Moines River.

Let’s return to Grandview Park. It is a 60-acre park with several parking lots. Park along East 32nd Street just north of Guthrie Avenue. We will leave from there at 10:00 a.m.

Join us for a walk along the north part of Rollercoaster Trail and an excursion through the Rose Garden. We will meet on the west side of the Des Moines Art Center. Park on Myron and Jacqueline Blank Pkwy by 10:00 a.m.

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.