| Little Sioux Wanderings Newsletter - Spring 2008 - Page 7 | |||||||||||||||
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Watchable Wildlife in NW Iowa
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| Northwest Iowa is a hidden treasure amid the country’s midsection. We have great areas to explore. While we don’t have mountains or oceans, Iowa abounds with special and unique areas.
The Iowa Lakes RC& D and the O’Brien and Palo Alto County Conservation Boards obtained an education grant from Iowa’s Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) in order to promote tourism and education at our many fabulous natural wonders in Northwest Iowa. Did you know that you could bounce on a fen with peat reaching 18 feet below ground? Have you ever run over a hillside that 1,000’s of bison rumbled over in the past? Come and explore our pioneer cemeteries. Sit amid the cacophony of sound on a wetland at dawn. These are just a few of the many things people can experience! A website is being developed which will allow users to discover more about our wild sites through pictures, maps, descriptions and videos. Visit the site at www.watchablewildlifenwia.org to check out our pilot program featuring glacial landmarks, prairie history and prairie pothole birding. Once you get started looking at these great spots, you won’t want to stop. At this point, we are looking for assistance from you! Would you help us by testing this project? We have several nice “prairie prizes” to offer those people who share their ideas with us. You must be willing to fill out a short survey after visiting our website and 1-3 actual “wild” locations. Our goal is to have your feedback returned to us by May 15 so that the information can be compiled. If you would be interested in helping with this process, please give us a call at 712-295-7200 or email us at occb@iowatelecom.net. There is truly something special in your backyard! Get outdoors and check it out!! |
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Record the Ribbit! | |||||||||||||
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Become An Atlas-er!
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| Here is another citizen science project for you … perhaps you search for frogs instead of birds!
This is a great activity for you, your family, and your friends. Plus it helps to create a |
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| Do you enjoy birds and birding? As you head out with your binoculars and identification books, consider sharing your finds with others.
The Iowa DNR and the Iowa Ornithologists Union have joined forces to produce a 2nd Iowa Breeding Bird Atlas. Many changes have occurred on Iowa’s landscape since the first atlas was completed in 1990. Atlasing is a fun way to see birds during the summer and a great way to explore new areas around the state. Consider becoming an INTEGRAL part of the Breeding Bird Atlas project. Call our office or visit http://bba.iowabirds.org for more information. |
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| nationwide snapshot of the environmental health of our amphibians. Anyone can volunteer. You do NOT need to be a frog and toad expert! You just need to be willing to get out and enjoy the evening while listening to frog and toad calls. Then, share that information with others online.
You can find out more about Frogwatch USA and especially the “Record the Ribbet” event, by visiting www.nwf.org/frogwatchusa. |
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