Watersheds and Wildlife
The Watersheds and Wildlife Program works to improve water quality in rivers and lakes and to restore habitat for the 100 species of butterflies and 400 species of bees found in Iowa. We accomplish this work through robust education and monitoring, and by partnering with both private landowners and local government.
What’s a watershed? Confused about water quality? Here’s an FAQ with links to some of our most accessible resources.
Past projects have focused the Ioway Creek and Skunk River watersheds in Story, Boone, and Hamilton counties.
Here is what we’re up to now:
Ames Pollinator-Friendly Community Plan
Prairie Rivers and the City of Ames have a vision to become a leader in developing and sustaining pollinator habitat that will enrich the quality of life for the people and wildlife of Ames.
Prairie Seed Bank
Creek Cleanups
So far, we helped organize six volunteer events that removed over 12,700 pounds of trash from Ioway Creek, the Skunk River and other streams in central Iowa. Depending on the weather, we may be walking, wading, or paddling canoes, but it’s always a good time! Keep an eye on our Events page–we usually plan one for late April or early May.
Water Monitoring in Story County
Water quality in most creeks and lakes in Story County is not tested by state agencies, so in 2020 we worked with 9 partner organizations to plan for how we could sustain a monitoring program at the local level. Prairie Rivers continues to support the effort by collecting samples, organizing volunteer events, and making sense of the data.
Environmental Education and Community Events
Monarch Magic is an annual monarch tagging and educational event in Ames aimed at families. We also participate in tabling events and regularly give talks about water quality, pollinators, and conservation to community groups around the state.
Educational Videos
Conservation Connection Blog
A big part of our work is telling engaging stories to help explain the science and policy behind the environmental issues we work on. Here are three of our latest posts from the Conservation Connect Blog. We’ve also compiled some of our most accessible content related to soil and water (which can get complicated) as an FAQ.
How bad was nitrate in 2025?
When the ball dropped on New Year’s Eve, nitrate in the Raccoon River was once again above the drinking water standard, closing out a bad year for water quality in Iowa. I compared this year’s nitrate levels to long-term averages at 47 sites to get a sense for where and when nitrate was highest and what was unusual about 2025.
A Year Later, Where Does the Monarch Butterfly Stand with its Listing Under the Endangered Species Act?
The monarch butterfly has been fighting to be listed under the Endangered Species Act for over a decade. This is an overview of its journey and where it stands now.
The economics of nitrogen have changed. Has our thinking?
The scenarios in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy all assumed that nitrogen application rates could be reduced to levels that no longer make economic sense. There may be another path to clean water in Iowa, but both critics and defenders of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy are stuck on some outdated assumptions.
Katelyn Rinicker
Pollinator Conservation Specialist
Dan Haug
Water Quality Specialist