Conservation Connection
Iowa Lands Prominent North American Prairie Conference
Once in a while something big and potentially impactful happens! Something that brings together people from around North America to address the issues of biodiversity, climate change, soil and water quality and more. Something that lays out information from researchers, educators, allied professionals, students, conservation specialists, landowners and organizations who will share their latest findings while raising important questions during dozens of informative sessions and exciting, hands-on field trips.
Think Outside the HUCs
Tracking progress of conservation projects with water monitoring is tricky, but we have some good news to share! You just need to think outside the box…
Trees for the Bees: How to Support Wildlife this Arbor Day!
Planting a tree can be an investment not only of money but of time as well. When thinking about the long-term goals for your property, it’s important to think about the legacy you may leave behind, as the tree will probably outlive you. Planting the right trees can not only increase your property’s appeal; it can also provide habitat for songbirds and pollinators for decades to come! So which trees attract pollinators, are native to Iowa, and look great in our yards?
Clover Lawns: Is the Trend Lucky for Pollinators?
The idea of creating a pollinator-friendly yard is finally taking root, and the idea of a perfect lawn, along with its expense, is being weeded out. Clover lawns are one of the latest trends yard-owners are trying out in an effort to be more environmentally conscious. This new kind of lawn is often touted to support pollinators, require less maintenance, and lower pollution. But do they live up to the hype?
The Love Lives of Moths: Competition in the Air
Forget about buying roses – in the great words of Shania Twain, “that don’t impress me much”. To impress me, you’d have to match the energy of male moths. Instead of dropping cash on last-minute flowers, male moths might fly miles for a first date, dodge dangerous predators, and out-compete other males, all while most humans are fast asleep.
An Impressive 2022 Stream Monitoring Season
Last year, Story County’s volunteer stream monitoring program really took off! Check out the metrics: more people, monitoring more streams, more consistently.
Clean Water Act: 50 years, 50 facts
“The Clean Water Act: 50 Years, 50 Facts” will be a weekly series of short videos for Instagram and YouTube, focused on rivers and lakes in Iowa.
You can lead a horse to water…
Reflections on the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act and a messy case study from the Cedar River.
How to Plant a Prairie Strip: One Landowner’s Journey
“Prairie strips [are] one of the best ways farmers can get into conservation practices and habitat building” David Stein said when I asked him about this project, “You’re taking unproductive land out of intensive use and replacing it with a small area that provides amazing benefits for the farm and surrounding environment.” For Chuck, some of those benefits include a reduction in run-off and erosion, increased water infiltration, and of course the perennial beauty of native prairie and pollinators where there was once just grass.