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Cultivate Calm, Connection, and Resilience

Enjoy nature-based classes to deepen your relationship with nature while creating a resilient, low-maintenance outdoor space.

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Grow Confidence in Your Landscape

Get step-by-step coaching and design ideas to create a calmer, low-maintenance landscape that make gardening doable and enjoyable.

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Plan a Nature-Based Program for Your Group

​Collaborate with us to host skill-building classes or small group coaching that lower stress, build connection, and teach practical nature-based skills.

We’ve become EarthMind 

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You may have known us as Backyard Abundance. For over a decade, we’ve grown beyond the backyard, creating gardens, habitats, and experiences for acreages, businesses, educational institutions, and spiritual organizations.

Now, our name is catching up with our work. Backyard Abundance has become EarthMind.

  • What’s staying the same: Our roots in growing food, nurturing wildlife habitat, and building resilient communities.

  • What’s new: A deeper focus on how these practices restore balance, reduce stress, and strengthen personal well-being.

A Year Rooted in Connection

Thank you for another beautiful year of nature-filled moments. From tea-sipping to fire-starting to food-foraging, you brought warmth, curiosity, and joy to every garden and gathering. Your presence is what makes these experiences feel alive, welcoming, and full of wonder.

Upcoming Classes and Events

  • Find Freshwater Friends
    Find Freshwater Friends
    Sat, Apr 04
    Thornberry Dog Park
    Apr 04, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Thornberry Dog Park, 1867 Foster Rd, Iowa City, IA
    Explore the hidden world of freshwater wildlife and learn how to welcome frogs, reptiles, and more into your yard.
  • Tool Sharpening for Gardeners
    Tool Sharpening for Gardeners
    Sun, Apr 12
    James Alan McPherson Park
    Apr 12, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
    James Alan McPherson Park, 1858 7th Ave Ct, Iowa City
    Learn the basics of sharpening garden tools.
  • Neighborhood Fruit: Edible Borders
    Neighborhood Fruit: Edible Borders
    Apr 19, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
    Glendale Park, 1250 E Jefferson St, Iowa City, IA
    Learn how to establish berry bushes with fellow neighbors.

Partner-Powered Programs

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Learning Gardens

Gardening experts attend Iowa City gardens at regular times throughout the growing season.

 

Visit the gardens for free food, inspiration, learning, and fun.

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Resources

Browse our guides and tips to learn how nature's resilient principles can help your landscape buzz with life and grow an abundance of food.

Design Portfolio

Needs ideas? Visit our design portfolio to browse ideas for your landscape.

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EarthMind

EarthMind Practice (formerly Backyard Abundance) is a nonprofit that helps people and communities cultivate calm, connection, and resilience through nature-based coaching, hands-on learning, and ecological garden design.

P.O. Box 1605

Iowa City, IA  52244

319-325-6810

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