Conservation Connection
High nitrate this spring: where and why
Nitrate has been higher than usual in Story County this spring, but what about rivers in the rest of Iowa? Why now?
The Incredible Diversity of Iowa Bees
June is National Pollinator Month! While many animals can act as pollinators (from bats to butterflies to beetles), this month we are choosing to celebrate the most efficient pollinators of them all: native bees!
It’s Rude to Point, but…
During our 2022 spring water monitoring event, most of the nitrogen in Ioway Creek came from one percent of the land area in the watershed.
Volunteers in the Creek All Week
Fourteen people tested water quality in Ioway Creek and its tributaries on Tuesday. Twenty-one people hauled trash out the creek on Saturday.
Take it Easy for Pollinators This Spring!
Signs of spring and warmer weather can be energizing, motivating us to start spring-cleaning our homes inside and out. However, some pollinators are still resting in their winter homes and cleaning up your lawn too soon can be detrimental to the new generation.
Rivers Routinely Ruin Riprap Revetments
A paddling trip on the South Skunk River uncovers some interesting history. Hopefully we’re getting smarter about how to handle eroding banks!
New Pollinator Conservation Specialist Jessica Butters Joins PRI Staff
Prairie Rivers of Iowa’s new Pollinator Conservation Specialist Jessica Butters's background includes extensive knowledge about Iowa’s ecosystems and native bee conservation. She’s a graduate of...
The Mystery of the Orange Creek
A mystery with a good plot (young people who care about environment, collaboration, science) and a happy ending: the orange in the creek is harmless! All in all a good day at Prairie Rivers.
Prairie Rivers of Iowa Releases Story County Water Quality Monitoring Annual Report
Prairie Rivers of Iowa has just released an annual report investigating water quality in streams and lakes around Story County. Prairie Rivers of Iowa worked with Story County Conservation, the City of Ames, and other partners in 2020 to initiate a locally-led water monitoring program including both volunteer and laboratory testing.