Watersheds and Wildlife

The Watersheds and Wildlife Program works to improve water quality in rivers and lakes and to restore habitat for Iowa’s imperiled pollinators and wildlife.  We accomplish this work through robust education, monitoring, and partnership-building activities.  Much of this work has been focused on Story, Boone, and Hamilton counties, but we are open to projects in other parts of the state.

Story County Water Monitoring & Interpretation Plan 2021-2030

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.

The City of Ames Pollinator Friendly Community Plan 2023 - 2033

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!

The Magic of Monarchs

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!

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Pollinator Conservation Specialist Jessica Butters

Jessica Butters
Pollinator Conservation Specialist

Dan Haug
Water Quality Specialist

Contact Watersheds and Wildlife
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