Conservation Connection
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.
Mayflies Should Be Normal
I’d like to introduce you to some friends that I met hiding under a rock in the creek. It’s perfectly normal for me to be doing this, and Baetis here is telling me this is normal creek.
Story County Conservation – Prairie Rivers of Iowa Featured Partner
Story County Conservation maintains over 3,500 acres of parks and natural areas preserving native environments, stopping the spread of invasive species, and water quality.
Jerry Radke Leaves a Legacy
Jerry Radke of Nevada, Iowa was a conservationist known for his hard work and a “yes I can” attitude with a passion for improving soil and water quality.
His love for the outdoors and the environment started on the family farm where at a young age Jerry helped work dairy and beef cattle, hogs, chickens, ducks, and geese. Jerry would tell the story about how at the age of three his father put him on a tractor where he had to stand and brace his head against the seat so his feet could reach the petals.