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. The drought made 2021 a challenging year for monitoring but we’re learning how to control for weather in order to better see the influence of land management on water. Read our annual report or a quick summary of our findings.
Over 100 species of butterflies and 400 species of bees, along with many other species found in Iowa, need your attention.
Our goal is to create diverse habitats, and plant native prairies and grasslands to restore pollinator, bird, mammal, reptile, and amphibian populations while improving soil health.
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!
Clover Lawns: Is the Trend Lucky for Pollinators?
The idea of creating a pollinator-friendly yard is finally taking root, and the idea of a perfect lawn, along with its expense, is being weeded out. Clover lawns are one of the latest trends yard-owners are trying out in an effort to be more environmentally conscious. This new kind of lawn is often touted to support pollinators, require less maintenance, and lower pollution. But do they live up to the hype?
The Love Lives of Moths: Competition in the Air
Forget about buying roses – in the great words of Shania Twain, “that don’t impress me much”. To impress me, you’d have to match the energy of male moths. Instead of dropping cash on last-minute flowers, male moths might fly miles for a first date, dodge dangerous predators, and out-compete other males, all while most humans are fast asleep.
An Impressive 2022 Stream Monitoring Season
Last year, Story County’s volunteer stream monitoring program really took off! Check out the metrics: more people, monitoring more streams, more consistently.
Jessica Butters
Pollinator Conservation Specialist
Dan Haug
Water Quality Specialist