Iowa Prairie Network Winter Seminar

For Love of Prairie

Mark your calendars for the Iowa Prairie Network Winter Seminar, a day dedicated to our shared passion for the prairie landscape.

• When: Saturday, February 15, 2025

• Where: Ames High School, 1801 Ridgewood Ave, Ames, IA 50010

• Theme: For Love of Prairie

A celebration of the natural beauty, biodiversity, and cultural importance of prairies in Iowa and beyond. Come for engaging and inspiring sessions, talks, and a chance to connect with others who cherish and work to preserve these vibrant ecosystems. Stay tuned for more details about speakers, schedules, silent auction, and registration information in the coming weeks.

Let’s come together to show our love for prairie!

Tony Vorwald, Iowa Prairie Network Vice President

Neonics & Advocacy: Protecting Pollinators and Influencing Policy

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024 AT 6:00 PM CT

Join us Virtually: Link provided with registration. This webinar will be recorded and available to watch after the premiere.

Join Wild Ones National for a free webinar, Neonics & Advocacy: Protecting Pollinators and Influencing Policy, featuring Lucas Rhoads, Senior Attorney with Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)’s Pesticides & Pollinators Team.

Learn about the environmental impact of neonicotinoid insecticides, the leading causes of pollinator and wildlife declines, and advocacy strategies to influence policies at both state and federal levels.

This webinar will cover neonics’ effects on pollinators, birds, aquatic ecosystems, and human health, as well as solutions to reduce their use in agriculture and landscaping. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain expert insights and actionable strategies for protecting our ecosystems.

For more information and regristration, go to:

https://wildones.org/free-webinar-neonics-advocacy-protecting-pollinators-and-influencing-policy/#register-now

Thank you to Loess Hills Wild Ones and Northwest Iowa Sierra Group for this information!

Loess Hills Prairie Education

These all-age prairie outings were offered free-of-charge to anyone interested in prairies, prairie ecology and the maintenance and well-being of these ecosystems. Thank you to Bill and Dotty Zales for hosting these presentations!

• June 29, 2024, 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM at Five Ridge Prairie Preserve. Topic: Plants & Animals & their Microbe Diversity & their real names. 18 adults & 1 darling 4 year old girl hikers

• July 13, 2024, 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM and following Loess Hills Audubon Society monthly outing. Due to extremely hot weather this event was moved to Prairie Hills Guest House with air conditioning. Topic: Loess Hills History, Succession, & Management. 12 adults & same 4 year old girl. 9 still hiked!

• August 24,2024, 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM at Five Ridge Prairie Preserve. Topic: Prairie Ecology & Sustainability. 10 adult hikers

• September 14, 2024, 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM Hike at Prairie Hills. Topic: Celebrating Loess Hills Prairies. 20 adult hikers

Please scroll down for reports, photos and video from these activities!

Prairie Hills

Saturday, 14 September 2024

This was a fantastic day with perfect conditions for a fine prairie walk with a passionate prairie enthusiast who really knows his stuff and knows how to explain it and make it interesting to all. At one stop a rather loud group of coyotes added their serenade to that particular talk. The group was very compatible, the walk was excellent, and social time after with snacks and beverages provided by Bill and Dotty. Such an amazing good time; we are all lucky to be there!

Kevin K., Sioux City, IA

Below images copyright 2024 by Kevin Kerr, used with permission.

1. Beaver dam, appeared to be 10-foot high, on the creek that runs through Prairie Hills property, dam is on neighbors property before crossing into Prairie Hills. The dam prompted a good discussion of the importance of beavers on the landscape and a successful persuasion conversation with his neighbor.

2. One of several stops for a quick prairie talk.

3. Bill Zales special seed grinder/spreader deluxe.

4. He throws it all in- seeds, stems and assorted debris as this is quicker, easier and adds more biodiversity than seeds alone. Such as fungi, insect eggs and associated natural elements.

Below images and video copyright 2024 by Maria Rundquist, used with permission.

Ghost Pipe at Union Grove

Found this recently in Union Grove State Park, SD. Many people mistakenly believe ghost pipe is a fungus, but this forest dweller is actually a wildflower — surprisingly related to blueberries, cranberries and wintergreen. It can be found growing alone but typically unfurls from the forest floor in clusters, with a separate, nodding blossom attached to the top of each 4- to 8-inch tall white stalk, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Bob L., Dakota Dunes, SD

Five Ridge Prairie Preserve

Kevin took these photos from the Five Ridge Prairie Hike on August 24.

Bill Zales has one last hike this season scheduled for Saturday, September 14 at Prairie Hills Preserve 15384 North Ridge Road, Westfield, IA from 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM. Scroll down to “Free Field Trips For All Ages” for more information.

Below images copyright 2024 by Kevin Kerr, used with permission.

Iowa Prairie Conference 2024

Sharon Polifka report:

The conference was held at Lakesie Lab which is situated on 147 acres on West Okoboji Lake. In addition to John and me, there were 8 more attendees from LHAS - Tucker Lutter, Dawn Synder, Rex and Maria Rundquist, Marla and Keven Kerr, Jon Nylen and Leesa McNeil (Lessa was the coordinator of the conference and did a great job organizing the conference, meals, speakers, hikes, and outings ). Conferences included speakers on the history of Cayler Preserve, archeology, the farm bill, and of course, everything about prairies (prairies and people, a panel on burn cooperatives and prescribed fire, prairie strips and prairie restoration). Connie Mutel spoke about changes in the natural world and life in Iowa over her lifetime. Her talk commemorated the publication of her many books about Iowa and the Loess Hills.

There were excursions to a fen (Excelsior Fee and Dugout Creek Complex), to the lake to observe restoration of the shoreline, a kettle hole (Freda Haffner Kettlehole, left and middle images, below), to a wildlife area (Garlock Slough WMA), to a native seed dealer in Spencer (the Prairie Flower), an archeological outing (history of the Spirit Lake Conflict), an oak savanna restoration, to a prairie /marsh complex (Kirchner Prairie), and to the largest, most varied, and most intensively studied remnant of rolling prairie in NW Iowa (Cayler Prairie, right image, below).

Below images copyright 2024 by Sharon and John Polifka, used with permission.

Leesa McNeil report:

A lovely sunny morning greeted the early “birders” who joined nature enthusiasts Bonnie and Don Vrchota to hike through prairie and woodlands around Iowa Lakeside Lab during the Iowa Prairie Conference and documented 42 species in the table below.

Above images copyright 2024 by Jon Nylen and Leesa McNeil, used with permission.

LHAS members attending the conference: Brian Hazlett; Kevin & Marla Kerr; Tucker Lutter; Leesa McNeil; Jon Nylen; John & Sharon Polifka; Rex & Maria Rundquist; Dawn Snyder; Bill & Dotty Zales.

18 August 2024, Species count = 42; participants = 30

Below slideshow copyright 2024 and courtesy of Maria Rundquist and Marla and Kevin Kerr, used with permission.

Rewilding Report

David Hoferer

At our Rewilding Northwest Iowa meeting on June 15th, it was decided that we will work with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to burn the Sioux City Prairie. TNC has plans to burn part of the Sioux City Prairie already this summer. The prairie has been divided into sections so that it need not all be burned at once. Other sections will be burned in the future. They can handle the prescribed burning. However, not all who live in Siouxland realize that the prairie even exists or why it is so important. Possibly fewer understand why prescribed burns are important for rehabilitating and preserving prairie in Iowa. Our role will be to organize and hold public education events, and also to market the Sioux City Prairie and the prescribed burn. This is the largest prairie preserve inside city limits in North America (as far as we know). It should be a focal point of pride for Siouxlanders. We can help make it so!

How can you become involved? This month we will be reaching out to The Nature Conservancy. Assuming they agree to work with us, we will need volunteers to help us with both parts of the project. One group will be the marketing group, who will put together a marketing campaign promoting the importance of the Sioux City Prairie and why it needs to be burned. The other group will be the public education group, organizing events for Siouxlanders to attend. Landowners will have questions about prescribed burning, its efficacy, and its safety. Fortunately, we have the recent Heendah Hills burn as a model for this group. Public and private landowners were brought together prior to that burn, and it went very well. We can model our public education efforts on their success.

Please volunteer to help with one of these groups by contacting Jeanne Bockholt or David Hoferer.

More Reeling!

Loess Hills Audubon contacted Bryan Hendrix, the Park Manager for Iowa Department of Natural Resources, regarding the installation of a used fishing line receptacle at Turtle Lake at Stone Park. He thought it was a great idea, and was enthusiastic.

Thank you to Kevin and Marla K. for installing this at Stone Park.

Reeled In

Kevin and I emptied the used Fishing Line Receptacles at Bacon Creek and Prairie Park on January 1, 2024. Both receptacles at Bacon Creek are consistently used. The two domestic ducks remain at Bacon Creek (image on left). Middle image: emptying the container. Right image: Receptacle contents.

Marla and Kevin K., Sioux City, IA

Below images copyright 2024 by Marla Kerr, used with permission.

Reeling It In!

Last evening (10/23/23), Kevin and I emptied the used fishing line receptacles at Sioux City parks (see installation article, below). We were pleased that they were used for the intended purpose at both Bacon Creek and at Prairie Park! At Bacon Creek, there was additional trash in the receptacles with the fishing line. While we were there, Kevin and I cleaned up the trash around both dock areas.

A hearty “thank you” to Marla and Kevin for doing this!

Marla & Kevin K.

Below images copyright 2023 by Marla Kerr, used with permission.

Used Fishing Line Receptacles at City Parks

by Marla Kerr

On Saturday, 14 October, we were able to install used fishing line receptacles in City Parks. Two were installed at Bacon Creek (one on each dock), two at Prairie Park (on the fishing sign, and one of the Kiosk further from the picnic area, and a fifth one at Sertoma Park (using the backside of the post that holds the baggies for the dog walkers). There are stickers on the receptacles and I will obtain actual signs from BoatUS for each Park; Kevin and I can install these once they arrive.

Top Row: Left - Sertoma Park; Middle and Right - Bacon Creek Park

Middle and Bottom Rows: Prairie Park

Audubon’s Birds and Transmission Report: Building the Grid Birds Need

To achieve climate change stabilization, the U.S. needs to rapidly build-out transmission and clean energy infrastructure. The current U.S. electric grid was not designed for a clean energy future and does not have sufficient capacity for a transition to 100% clean and renewable energy production.

Brooke L Bateman, Gary Moody, Jennifer Fuller, Lotem Taylor, Nat Seavy, Joanna Grand, Jon Belak, Garry George, Chad Wilsey, and Sarah Rose. (2023) Audubon’s Birds and Transmission Report: Building the Grid Birds Need. National Audubon Society: New York

On Tuesday, 1 August 2023 the National Audubon Society released a 34-page report summarizing how clean energy is needed and how that energy should be distributed throughout the United States. The summary includes plans to provide protections for birds and other wildlife as well as their necessary habitats. The summary also advocates for state and Federal revision of policies related to the upgrade of existing transmission lines, electric grid, and corridors and the bird and wildlife-friendly development of new transmission systems.

The recorded presentation from the National Audubon Society can be found here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEYlwgTK3Z8

The full report can be found here: https://media.audubon.org/2023-08/BirdsAndTransmissionReport.pdf

The Los Angeles Times published an analysis of the report here:  https://www.latimes.com/environment/newsletter/2023-08-01/electric-lines-kill-birds-but-theyre-a-lot-better-than-climate-change-boiling-point

Wendel Prairie Preserve

24 June 2023

A few images of the hike last weekend at the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation’s (INHF) newly acquired Wendel Prairie Preserve, donated to the INHF by the Wendel family. It really is a pretty place and the sunshine made it better.

Kody Wohlers (402-578-1935 / kwohlers@inhf.org) with the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation said people can hike it if they contact him for permission

Jerry M., Sioux City, IA; 712-251-3000;
http://www.lostinsiouxland.com or http://www.jerrylmennengaphotographer.photoshelter.com

All below images copyright 2023 by Jerry L. Mennenga, used with permission.

2023 LHAS Mini-Grants Awarded

The Loess Hills Audubon Society awarded three mini-grants at their meeting on Thursday, April 13, 2023.

A mini-grant of $350 was awarded to the Plymouth County Historical Museum. This mini-grant will provide free admission for middle school students and teachers to experience a birds of prey show on Friday, September 29, 2023 and presented by Regalia International Birds of Prey. This is the same group that conducts a birds of prey show for Riverssance.

Accepting the mini-grant award from Rex Rundquist (right), LHAS president, is Judy Bowman, Museum Administrator (center), and Judy Stokesbury, Museum Board Vice President (left).

A mini-grant of $1000 was awarded to the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center (DPNC) for the design and construction of a new, mobile enclosure for Lucia, their newly acquired, permanently injured Eastern Screech-Owl. The new enclosure is more appropriate for the owl and will provide better accessibility for DPNC staff.

Accepting the mini-grant award from Rex Rundquist (right), LHAS president, is Theresa Kruid (left), education director for DPNC.

A mini-grant of $1000 was awarded to Golden Hills Resource Conservation and Development (Golden Hills RC&D) for the revision and development of a Siouxland Bird Guide. This guide was originally produced in 2003 by Golden Hills and Loess Hills Audubon and other partners. This would be the first revision of the guide.

Accepting the mini-grant award from Rex Rundquist (right), LHAS president, is Seth Brooks (left), lead guide developer from Golden Hills RC&D.

Lead Poisoning

Sadly, this Golden Eagle from Northwest Iowa, died today (Sunday, March 26, 2023) from lead poisoning. A rescue was attempted through SOAR (Saving Our Avian Resources), but to no avail.

Jon N., Plymouth County, IA

Below images copyright 2023 by Jon Nylen, used with permission.

What’s Good for the Herd is Good for the Bird!

Taking a Stand for Grasslands

More than half the native grasslands in the U.S. have been permanently lost, and in recent decades grassland bird populations have followed suit. While these vital habitats might always not get as much attention as forests and wetlands, countless are groups working to restore, protect, and manage grasslands throughout the Great Plains. The Cornell Lab's Center for Conservation Media was invited by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Northern Great Plains Program to create four short films about ongoing projects in Nebraska, South Dakota, and Montana supported by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) highlighting the people on the front lines in the campaign to reverse declines in this ecoregion.

Seed Spills, Neonicotinoids, and Birds

from Minnesota Public Radio, submitted by Bill Zales

For the full story with video please visit:

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/09/20/concern-grows-over-effects-of-treated-seeds-on-birds.

Minnesota researchers are finding cause for concern about the effects on wild birds of neonicotinoid insecticide, which has been linked to bee losses for nearly a decade. When neonicotinoids came on the market 20 years ago, they were considered a safer alternative to conventional insecticides. The insecticide is most commonly applied by putting it on corn or soybean seeds before planting. The plants take up the chemical, so it targets primarily pests that eat the plants. But it turns out those treated seeds get spilled a lot during planting, and birds and other animals eat them.

Butterfly Mound, Onawa Public Library

Good day, It has been a little while since we received our wonderful grant from Loess Hills Audubon Society so I thought I would send a couple pictures of our Butterfly Mound. It is finally filling out and we are so excited to have Absolute Science bring their Butterfly Encounter Tents on August 13th from 10 - 2.

Thank you so much for the grant funds to bring this addition to the library yard.

Amy McDermott, Director Onawa Public Library

Photos courtesy Onawa Public Library, used with permission.

Federal Policy Priorities that will have a significant impact in Iowa

Mississippi River Restoration & Resilience Initiative (MRRRI):

The Mississippi River’s watershed encompasses 40% of the contiguous United States and spans thirty-one states. Diverse habitats host a globally significant flyway supporting over 325 species of birds. But the river is in dire need of restoration and recovery. It suffers from wetland and floodplain forest loss, invasive species, pollution, ongoing disruption to its natural hydrology, and extreme storm events exacerbated by climate change. Modeled after the successful and bipartisan Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, MRRRI will establish a dedicated federal office and funding stream to restore the river through non-regulatory collaborative work with Tribes, states, local communities, and other stakeholders throughout the main stem river states.

Opportunities for action:

• Education. Learn more about MRRRI here.

• Engage. Shareable MRRRI Action Alert link here.

• Endorse. Businesses, non-profits, chapters, bird clubs, and others can endorse MRRRI here.

A big thank you to Iowa Audubon for collaborating with us on a letter of support sent to federal policymakers across Iowa. Letters like this are beneficial to show local and statewide constituent interest.

Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA):

State Wildlife Action Plans collectively identify more than 12,000 “Species of Greatest Conservation Need.” RAWA will provide the funding needed to implement these plans. The U.S. House of Representatives passed their version of RAWA on June 14th with a bipartisan vote of 231 – 190. Now it’s up to the Senate!

Opportunities for action:

• Education. Learn more about RAWA here.

• Engage. Amplify Action Alert.

• Letter of support to federal policymakers across Iowa.

Contact Audubon Engagement Manager DJ Langefels at dj.langefels@audubon.org or 651.340.2350 for more information.

On Common Ground

Since all of you should be aware of On Common Ground, an interdisciplinary project featuring the Loess Hills, I’m pleased to let you know we now have more than the trailer.  Here’s a link to the latest version of the film:  https://youtu.be/2wJ-zNGQsd0 

We also continue to see progress on the book.

Brian T. Hazlett 

Conservation Concerns

one very negative and one positive

by Bill Zales

One:  Why is the Iowa legislature so anti-land protection? There are bills to:

1. Do away with the tax relief for  protected forests and prairies.

2. Do away with charitable deductions for land donation.

3. Limit the value willing sellers can be paid by county conservation boards or the DNR for their land.

The legislature refuses to fund the Iowa constitutional amendment (passed by over 60% of  Iowa voters in 2010!) called IWILL or the Land and Water Legacy fund. The legislature has never fully funded the Loess Hills Alliance or the DNR. There is so little natural native habitat left in Iowa that if all that was worth protecting was actually protected Iowa would still have the dishonor of being the most altered state in America.

Two: Bird Friendly Iowa

Iowa Audubon, the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union and other Iowa organizations are promoting the recognition of counties and cities that are “Bird Friendly “. Our Loess Hills Audubon Society is encouraging Woodbury County and Sioux City to qualify for this recognition and is assisting with the requirements for this honor.

On Common Ground

September 17-19, 2021

 By convening artists, writers, and naturalists to share space and stories, On Common Ground intends to promote the stewardship of Iowa’s Loess Hills by fostering greater awareness of and appreciation for this exceptional natural landscape through print and digital media while exemplifying how place-based experience invigorates collaboration among the Arts, Humanities, and Sciences.

On Common Ground was inspired by In the Blast Zone, a book arising from the interaction of artists, writers, and scientists who hiked and camped on the slopes of Mount St. Helens 25 years after it erupted. Creating a similar event in the northern Loess Hills had been a long-held goal of the Briar Cliff’s Center for Prairie Studies.

 Funding for On Common Ground was awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Iowa DNR REAP Conservation Education Program, and the local Margaret Ann Martin Everist Foundation.

 Joy Hollow Girl Scout Camp served as the base of operations. Joining keynote facilitators Dan O’Brien (The Rites of Autumn; The Contract Surgeon; Buffalo for the Broken Heart) and Connie Mutel (Fragile Giants; The Emerald Horizon; A Sugar Creek Chronicle) were two dozen writers, naturalists, and artists. Half of the invited participants traveled from other parts of Iowa and South Dakota as well as from Ohio, Arizona, and Colorado.

Audubon’s Priority Birds 2021

Since 1970 we’ve lost nearly three billion birds. Grassland birds are most affected, and more than 60 percent of grassland habitat and 159 million priority birds are simply gone, the greatest total loss of priority birds for any habitat type.

National Audubon is committed to protecting birds and the places they need. For the details on how National Audubon and its system of chapters and grassroots activism seeks to reverse these declines, download National Audubon’s Priority Birds report here: https://nas-national-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/prioritybirdsreport_final.pdf.

Bicycling with Butterflies

A Conversation with Author, Sara Dykman

In 2017 Sara Dykman became the first person to follow the eastern population of monarch butterflies on their roundtrip, multinational, multigenerational migration. As she journeyed, she made it her work to educate anyone who would listen to the story of monarchs. During her ride through Iowa, she presented to organizations and schools.

Please join Sara Dykman at 6:30 PM CT on Tuesday, April 27, to hear stories from the road, and learn about monarch conservation efforts.

This free virtual program is one of only eight in the country and is tailored for Iowans, so please help her spread her timely message by sharing the event with friends and family!

Register to attend: http://bit.ly/ButterflyBikeApril27

Prepare for the discussion. Order from Sioux City, Iowa's local bookshop, Book People, to get a signed copy. As a bonus first 30 orders also include a free art print created by Sara! Call to order: 712-258-1471.

Orion magazine published an excerpt from her above book. That excerpt can be found here: https://orionmagazine.org/article/biking-with-butterflies/?mc_cid=8fb3c7b556&mc_eid=00e67f1a77.

Find out more about Sara, her book, and her adventure at: www.beyondabook.org

Hosted by Northwest Iowa Group of Sierra Club

Cerulean Warbler Populations in Northeast Iowa

From Jon Stravers to Iowa Audubon Board: Here is a link to an article written by Kelli Boylen in the Waukon Standard about our summary report on 12 years of Cerulean work in Northeast Iowa. I want to add a note of thanks to the entire Audubon community for their support over the years.

• Jon Stravers, Kathleen Carlyle and Dr. Paul Skrade of Driftless Area Bird Conservation recently released a report on the Cerulean Warbler that is the culmination of more than 12 years of investigation in several local study areas including Yellow River State Forest (YRSF), Effigy Mounds National Monument, Pikes Peak State Park and Sny Magill Complex within Pool 10 of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.

• Their report is significant in that other similar studies in traditional breeding areas of the eastern United States have documented a decrease in the presence of this bird, but here in northeast Iowa the number of sites where they nest and the number of birds at the sites has held steady during the 13-year study.

• In 2013, YRSF and Effigy Mounds became Iowa’s first “Globally Important Bird Area”, in a large part due to Stravers’ research on Ceruleans. It was known that there were a few Ceruleans in the local area, but his research showed populations far exceeding previously known numbers. The density of Cerulean Warblers documented in the region by these surveys was a key factor resulting in the designation of the Effigy Mounds/Yellow River Forest Bird Conservation Area as a “Globally Significant Bird Area” by the National Audubon Society and by the Birdlife International Important Bird Area program.

Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation Communication

Encompassing more than 2,082 acres of public land in the hills adjacent to the Little Sioux River Valley, Oak Ridge Conservation Area is a natural gem on the western side of the state. Divided into four units with half a dozen public access points between Oto and Smithland, this undeveloped area in the Loess Hills is ideal for hiking, hunting, foraging and wildlife watching.

Last year, Woodbury County Conservation requested INHF's assistance in purchasing an 82-acre property that would help bring it closer to linking units 1 and 2 near Oto. This month, INHF successfully negotiated the purchase of the remaining 240 acres between the two units. Once connected, the two units will include more than 2,200 contiguous acres of public oak woodlands, prairie and savannah, and provide critical wildlife habitat.

The INHF is asking for donations to support this project.