Conservation Connection
How to Start Caring About Pollinators: A Guide for Iowans
We asked three central Iowans from different backgrounds about how they came to appreciate pollinators and wildlife in general, what catalyzed their appreciation into action, and how they stay energized and hopeful for the future of pollinators and our natural environment as a whole. Lori Biederman, Lynne Kellner, and Todd Burras share their journeys with us here.
Tallgrass Prairie – A View from the Fly on the Gall
Insights from the 2023 North American Prairie Conference about the diverse prairie insects that you can only see if you “walk slow, look close, and be curious.”
Tallgrass Prairie – A Butterfly’s View
Insights from the 2023 North American Prairie Conference about the balance between grasses and forbs, written from a butterfly’s perspective.
Tallgrass Prairie – A Bird’s Eye View
Insights from the 2023 North American Prairie Conference, written from a meadowlark’s perspective. Can working farmland support wildlife?
Notable Quotes from Sackett v. EPA
A major decision by the Supreme Court (Sackett v. EPA) has limited the scope of the Clean Water Act. A few choice quotes from the concurring opinions reveals what’s at stake.
What’s next for water monitoring in Iowa?
Over the next year, with the support of the Water Foundation, we’ll be building a network of groups in Iowa interested in water monitoring.
How a Pollinator Plan can Enrich Life in Ames
Ames is currently buzzing with pollinators – both in nature and in city government!
Mayor John Haila recently proclaimed National Pollinator Week in Ames for the week of June 19th through the 25th. During this proclamation, he also mentioned the release of the City of Ames Pollinator-Friendly 10-Year Community Plan. Why proclaim a national pollinator week, and why should we have a plan concerning pollinators for Ames? Because supporting pollinators is supporting the Ames community!
Highlights From the 2022 Monitoring Season
Our 2022 Annual Report for the Story County 10-Year Water Monitoring Plan shares findings from the third year of a locally-led effort to monitor water quality in streams and lakes across Story County, Iowa.
The Good, the Bad, and the Alternatives to No Mow May
The idea is that leaving your mower parked for a month in spring will allow dandelions and other lawn-associated flowers to grow, providing food for emerging pollinators at a time when there aren’t many flowers blooming yet. This sounds easy and beneficial, but is it really? Are there better options, or is this the answer to pollinator-friendly yarding? Let’s mow through the jargon, discuss different viewpoints, and offer simple alternatives.