Many Iowans are already busy potting plants and spreading grass seed now that warmer weather has arrived. The annual Backyard Conservation Conference will be held today at Corning High School. Sheila O’Riley is coordinator of the Adams County Backyard Conservation Team and says the keynote speaker is an expert on one type of insect Iowans like to attract.

O’Riley says the dynamic speaker Kathleen Ziemer is from Butterflies of Iowa, and she’ll even bring specimens of butterflies. O’Riley says a host of subjects will be covered during the daylong conference during the breakout workshops.

Topics include: organic gardening, trees, farm conservation, hostas, rain gardens, birdhouses, native plants and the grape industry. The conference runs from 9 A.M. until 4 P.M.