Watersheds and Wildlife
Many creeks and lakes are not monitored by state agencies. Water quality monitoring with our local partners is filling the gap in Story County and is guiding conservation efforts. Check out the highlights from the 2022 season or see an overview of the program.
What’s next for water monitoring? We’re building our connections statewide.
Over 100 species of butterflies and 400 species of bees, along with many other species found in Iowa, need your attention.
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 human and biological communities of Ames. Please join us!
We are working with landowners to provide for Iowa’s pollinators and wildlife by mapping and cataloging flyways and ecosystems, assisting with small to large landowner habitat design, providing conservation assistance, harvesting and providing native seeds while conducting environmental outreach and education.
What matters is the actions we are taking plus the information and relationships we have assembled puts local government, landowners, and our many partners in a good position to tackle these challenges!
How to Have a Delightful Halloween Hike
While most people will be putting up lights and hoarding candy for Halloween, you can hit the trails to see some of the most interesting and spooky beings found naturally, right here in Iowa! Here we compile all-things-October to give you the best time to hike, where to find fairy fires and ghostly plants, and tips to spotting curious birds this autumn.
Monarch Magic in Ames Was a Day of Adventurous Fun!
Prairie Rivers of Iowa hosted the family-friendly event Monarch Magic on Saturday, September 9 at Ada Hayden Heritage Park in Ames. Attendees had the experience of tagging a monarch butterfly to help scientists track their migration and participated in many fun activities to learn more about this butterfly and other pollinators.
The Magic of Monarchs
Last weekend Prairie Rivers of Iowa and their partners hosted Monarch Magic, an activity-filled monarch butterfly tagging event, at Ada Hayden Heritage Park in Ames. In case you missed this event, or just want to refresh your monarch knowledge, we discuss why we tag monarchs during their migration south, and review some very fun monarch facts!
Jessica Butters
Pollinator Conservation Specialist
Dan Haug
Water Quality Specialist