Annual Fall Water Quality Snapshot
10 AM-1 PM on Saturday, October 24

Whether you’ve been doing this since 2006 or trying it for the first time, if you’re curious about water quality in the South Skunk River, Squaw Creek, and their tributaries, we encourage you to participate in citizen science.

Stop by Brookside Park in Ames or Anderson Access south of Story City any time between 10 AM and 1 PM to pick up a water quality testing kit, datasheet, and directions to a nearby stream. If this is your first time testing a stream or you need a refresher, there is an instructional video.

Due to the dry summer and fall, many of the smaller streams are not flowing. We’ll shift some of our focus to collecting and identifying aquatic insects (benthic macroinvertebrates) in the bigger streams, whose presence can be a clue to water quality. If you don’t mind getting your feet wet, feel free to join our Save Our Streams certified group leaders at 9:30. Please wear a face mask and appropriate footwear – old tennis shoes, rubber boots, or waders. Otherwise, take a look at our finds when you pick up your water testing kit.

Please RSVP to Prairie Rivers of Iowa Watershed Educator Dan Haug at dhaug@prrcd.org, or call him at 515-232-0048,  by Friday, Oct 23 to ensure we have enough materials on hand. Let us know whether you’d rather test water or collect invertebrates and whether you’d prefer to meet at Brookside Park or Anderson Access.

If you’re not available on the 24th but are interested in water monitoring, consider adopting a stream in Story County for regular monitoring. Story County Conservation has launched a volunteer monitoring program and has testing kits available. Contact Jerry Keys at  jkeys@storycountyiowa.gov to learn more.

Pollinator Webinar
Saturday, November 14, 2020 
Noon till 1 pm (more details to come)

Our pollinator expert, David Stein. David will host in early November a presentation about planting a prairie, choosing the “right” seed for pollinators, and caring for a prairie over time. All participants will be able to chat and ask David questions that are on their minds.

Made Possible by the Generous Support of Our Sponsors!

North American Prairie Conference
Prairie Conservation in a Changing World
July 2021 • Des Moines, Iowa

Three inspiring, informative days drawing some of the brightest minds in prairie protection, restoration, stewardship, education, and communications. 
northamericanprairie.org