CALL FOR FRESH BLOOD

by Inger Lamb

Several people who have been instrumental in running the IPN in the

past have expressed the desire to reduce their involvement in the

organization. If you have ever thought you might be interested in being

more active in the Iowa Prairie Network, but were not sure if there was a

spot for you- now is the time to speak up! We need help with accounting,

meeting organization, grant writing, administration, newsletter articles,

you name it. We would probably be happy to have you do it! And it’s fine if

you do not have a lot of time to offer- few people do these days. If you are

interested please contact any board member listed in the back of this

newsletter. Thanks.

2002 NORTH AMERICAN PRAIRIE CONFERENCE IN MISSOURI

The 18th North American Prairie Conference will have the theme

Promoting Prairie! It will be held in Kirksville, Missouri, and is sponsored

by the Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Department of

Natural Resources, Missouri Prairie Foundation, The Nature Institute,

Missouri Nature Conservancy, Truman State University, the City of

Kirksville, and the Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce. The meeting

will include symposia, contributed papers (oral), poster sessions,

workshops, and regional field trips.

The conference will be held June 23-27, 2002. Presentations on all

topics relating to prairie are encouraged, but organizers are especially

interested in those that relate to the following topics:

*Prairie biodiversity and its importance to society

*Prairie restoration and reconstruction

*Legislative and organizational initiatives to preserve prairie

*Prairie education and outreach

*Commercial ventures - backyard prairie and landscaping

*Prairie as pollution control and environmental improvement

The conference has an official web site with more information, at

http//www.napc2002.org.

LETTERS NEEDED IMMEDIATELY

Proposed Hwy. 100 Project Threatens Preserves

by Glenda Buenger

Letters commenting on the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact

Statement (Draft SEIS) are needed by Sept. 24 to help protect two of our

state preserves. The DOT's Hwy. 100 extension project just west of Cedar

Rapids in Linn County will negatively impact Rock Island Preserve and

Hanging Bog Preserve. If built, the project would locate a freeway

immediately adjacent to Rock Island Preserve, destroying a native sand

prairie that is home to the state-threatened Byssus skipper and other

prairie species. The project would also endanger Hanging Bog Preserve.

In July a number of Byssus skippers were discovered in 2-3 acres of

prairie remnants within the project corridor. The DOT proposes to simply

capture and move the Byssus skippers. According to an expert, this would

be wholly unprecedented and highly unlikely to succeed. More than half of

all butterflies ever identified in Iowa have been found at the Rock Island

Preserve.

The Draft SEIS declares that the Rock Island Preserve should *not* be

classified 4(f). 4(f) refers to a section of the National Highway

Transportation Act. It says that in designing and constructing a highway,

the DOT must avoid impacting parks, natural areas, historic sites, etc. to

the maximum extent possible. In a narrow reading of 4(f), the Federal

Highway Administration decided that the Rock Island Preserve does not fit

the definition for 4(f).

The DOT and FHWA thus undermine the states prerogative to

permanently protect a unique natural area. State law declares that

Preserve status puts these areas to their "highest, best, and most

important use" and that they shall be held "in trust" for the people of Iowa.

The State Preserves Advisory Board has voiced opposition to the

project. The Board cited concerns about impacts to the preserves and feel

that the IDOT has not looked at alternative routes or done an adequate

study. "The needs of the preserve extend beyond the boundaries of the

preserve," said Laura Jackson, board member from Cedar Falls.

The IDNR Natural Resource Commission (NRC) has voiced concerns

about impacts to the Byssus skipper and the preserves. They requested

the DNR to coordinate efforts with the DOT to identify additional alternative

routes for the highway project.

The Linn County Conservation Board, who stewards the Rock Island

Preserve, strongly opposes the project. LCCB chair Dick Heft said it

appears the Draft SEIS dismisses the preserves status and doesn't look

at alternatives.

Letters are due SEPT. 24 to: James Rost, Office of Environmental

Services, IDOT, 800 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50010

<james.rost@dot.state.ia.us>.

OPPOSE the route that the DOT is pushing for the Hwy. 100 project, and

request that a different route be utilized to protect Rock Island Preserve

and Hanging Bog Preserve. The DOT and FHWA should honor the

preserves status, and locate the freeway elsewhere.

Other concerns include the impacts of noise; impacts to wetlands; harm

to the Cedar River greenbelt; and project cost (now over $86 million)

compared to other budget priorities.

For more information contact Rob Hogg at 319-247-0223 (h) or

319-362-2137 (w) or <rkhogg@aol.com>.

The IDNR Natural Resource Commission (NRC) has voiced concerns

about impacts to the Byssus skipper and the preserves. They requested

the DNR to coordinate efforts with the DOT to identify additional alternative

routes for the highway project.

The Linn County Conservation Board, who stewards the Rock Island

Preserve, strongly opposes the project. LCCB chair Dick Heft said it

appears the Draft SEIS dismisses the preserves status and doesn't look

at alternatives.

Letters are due SEPT. 24 to: James Rost, Office of Environmental

Services, IDOT, 800 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50010

<james.rost@dot.state.ia.us>.

OPPOSE the route that the DOT is pushing for the Hwy. 100 project, and

request that a different route be utilized to protect Rock Island Preserve

and Hanging Bog Preserve. The DOT and FHWA should honor the

preserves status, and locate the freeway elsewhere.

Other concerns include the impacts of noise; impacts to wetlands; harm

to the Cedar River greenbelt; and project cost (now over $86 million)

compared to other budget priorities.

For more information contact Rob Hogg at 319-247-0223 (h) or

319-362-2137 (w) or <rkhogg@aol.com>.

BIKING ACROSS THE PRAIRIE

by Pam White

This July, I took a bicycle ride across our state, along with several

thousand other people (including Glenn P. for a while). It was a terrific

experience! From my choice spot at the end of the pack, I saw fewer

native Iowa prairie plants than I expected. There were definitely more nice

roadside areas in the western end of the state. Somewhere on the first

day, we rode along an interesting area with compass plant, butterfly

milkweed, flowering spurge, big blue and more. Another special treat

was when we were able to ride along part of the bike trail into Baxter

viewing culvers root, mt. mint and liatrus.

About the 4th day, I decided I should start trying to educate my fellow

pedalers about the joys of prairie flowers, so I decorated my helmet. First,

I put in some ironweed for strength (but that soon wilted), then I added

some blazing stars for speed. Rattlesnake master made a nice addition

to the top of the helmet. A few days later, I found some smart weed. As

soon as I attached that to my helmet, I thought, "hmm, maybe I should

have done something more relaxing for my vacation." But, seriously, it

was a great conversation starter and I hope this helped to spark an

interest in the prairie for a few people who might not have otherwise been

reached. This truly was a great chance to see the landscape of Iowa up

close and personal, so if anyone is interested in forming Team Prairie

Power for next year, just let me know.

IOWA STATE FAIR PARTICIPATION

by Glenn Pollock

I presented a program called "Is that Prairie or just weeds in our old

Cemetery" the first day of the Iowa State fair for the IPN. The Iowa DNR

Prairies and Forest was our host. Five prairie lovers attended the lecture

and tour of the prairie plants on the State fair grounds. The rare finding, at

the planting east of the varied industries building, was a Scaly Blazing

Star (liatris squarrosa). But, after careful examination it was found to

still

be in a pot. The Governors Booth was decorated with Iowa Prairie Plants

again this year. The Des Moines Master gardeners also had several

native plants in their demonstration garden near the agriculture building.

One comment heard of a passerby was "Look at those weeds in the

garden". She was looking at switch grass. I had a great time and made

new prairie friends.

FORMER IPN BOARD MEMBER IS CO-WINNER OF HAGIE AWARD

by Cindy Hildebrand

(The information below is from the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation

web site. Glenda Buenger is a former board member and longtime IPN

member. Congratulations, Glenda and Pat!)

Pat McAdams and Glenda Buenger of Rose Hill have been selected as

the co-winners of this year's Hagie Heritage Award, one of the largest

conservation awards in the state. The award is presented annually by the

Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) and recognizes Iowans who

have demonstrated an outstanding volunteer commitment to conservation

and improvement of the natural environment. McAdams and Buenger are

being recognized for their activism in saving the Eddyville Dunes and their

years of conservation dedication and volunteerism. As the Hagie Heritage

Award co-winners, the couple will receive a hand-carved acorn sculpture

donated by Dennis and Linda Schlict of Center Point and $1,000.

"Pat and Glenda are excellent choices for the Hagie Award," Mark

Ackelson, INHF president said. "Their work is a constant reminder of how

two individuals have an enormous impact on the land. They have given

endless hours protecting and restoring Iowa's ecosystems." What started

as a family tradition with their two children Ben, 13, and Neo, 15, turned

into an act of activism. Ben invented the term "prairie-scoping" to refer to

family field trips investigating the contents of road ditches and prairie

patches. "We just grabbed the Peterson Guide and if we saw a white

flower we didn't know, we looked up pictures of white flowers until we

found it," Glenda said. Years later in 1996, armed with prairie-scoping

experience and botany knowledge, they stumbled across a wet prairie

remnant that contained state-listed species including the threatened

ornate box turtle and the endangered pale-green orchid. This hidden

ecosystem was discovered in the Eddyville Dunes, an area formed

thousands of years ago by wind-deposited sand.Intrigued, the couple

inquired about the area and discovered the Iowa Department of

Transportation (IDOT) planned to build a highway bypass through the

prairie. Thinking the unique area should be protected, Pat and Glenda

worked long hours to gain grassroots support and the backing of several

government agencies. They were able to successfully persuade the IDOT

to relocate the by-pass to avoid the best part of the habitat. "We both

decided when we get old, we want to say that we did everything we could

do," Pat and Glenda said. "Eddyville is ongoing: the real work is just

starting." McAdams and Buenger have always been inquisitive about

plants and nature.

"It's hard to tell where academia stops and conservation begins," said

McAdams, an assistant professor of Earth science at William Penn

University in Oskaloosa where they both teach. Buenger, who teaches art

part-time, also manages a native prairie seed business and has donated

large quantities of seed to

county, state, and federal restoration projects. She is an active member of

Iowa Prairie Network. Pat is involved with Keokuk and Mahaska County

and youth environmental education field days and assists with an Eagle

Badge in Geology for a local Boy Scout chapter. Both have donated

countless hours to the Mahaska County Conservation Board. McAdams

and Buenger were selected from a field of eight Iowans nominated for this

year's award. The selection committee noted that this year's task was

unusually difficult not only because of the outstanding accomplishments

by each nominee, but also the difference of the nature of activities

between the candidates. One committee member said, "It's exciting to

see how a small band of people can influence the land in a variety of

ways." Another committee member said, "The nominees showed

determination, courage and tenacity." Pat and Glenda were nominated by

Jane Clark, activist and volunteer in Des Moines; Loren Lown of Pleasant

Hill, natural resource specialist with Polk County Conservation Board, and

Robert Sayre, resident of Iowa City, and author of "Take The Next Exit: New

Views of the Iowa Landscape." Clark said McAdams and Buenger's

efforts are inspirational. "Pat and Glenda have won the respect of both the

conservation community and outside specialists, while raising the

consciousness of thousands of Iowans, who otherwise would never have

known of this fascinating area of prairie, sand dunes, and wetlands,"

Clark said. This is the twelfth year that INHF has presented the Hagie

Heritage Award. It was established by Jan Shindel of DeWitt and Ila

Jeanne Logan of Moville, Iowa, in honor of their parents, Lawrence and

Eula Hagie.

ENGELDINGER UPDATE

by Cindy Hildebrand

The Polk County Conservation Board (PCCB) is in the process of

finalizing a contract for the restoration work at Engeldinger, which should

soon begin. The work will eventually include the removal of eroded soil in

the northwest corner of the marsh, the building of erosion control

structures to prevent future sedimentation, the removal of roadway, and

the reconstruction of the southernmost cut in the hill.

A side benefit to the rerouting is that the PCCB will receive and manage

another parcel of excess right-of-way. That land contains a partially

drained fen of significant natural value. The PCCB, in conjunction with the

DOT and others, will restore that fen and associated wetlands.

The DOT ecological staff members have done an excellent job of

identifying and protecting natural areas in the area of the route around

Engeldinger. This project shows what good work the Iowa DOT can do

when the ecological staff makes natural area decisions.

IOWA ECOTYPE PROJECT

by Greg Houseal

Salutations! Sincerely soliciting seed sources state-wide of several

significant species for the year 2001 for the Iowa Ecotype Project. As

announced at the Iowa Prairie Conference at UNI in Cedar

Falls, we'd like to add the following three species to the Iowa Ecotype

Project this year. They are:

1. Lead plant, Amorpha canescens

2. Canada milk vetch, Astragalus canadensis (why are so many species

named for Canada!?)

3. Prairie dropseed, Sporobolus heterolepis

Just to be clear, we are looking for small amounts of seed (Tablespoon

up to 1/4 cup, or more!) from bonifide Iowa prairie remnant populations.

Keep individual site collections separate from other sites, label location,

collector, date, property owner, other site notes of interest (assoc.

species, past management, etc.). Email or call for free seed collection

labels.

Other species: Bottle gentian (Gentiana andrewsii), especially from

southern Iowa.

Any seed contribution to the project would be greatly appreciated. You'll

receive our IRVM roadside calendar poster by early next year, as well as a

letter of acknowledgement of your contribution sometime in February, and

a project update in mid-summer.

Greg Houseal, Manager, Iowa Ecotype Project

113 CEEE, Cedar Falls, IA 50614

319-273-3005

JUNE 2001 IPN BOARD MEETING SUMMARY

by Inger Lamb

The IPN board met in Ames on June 23, 2001. James Devig, Cindy

Findley, Dave Hansen, Cindy Hildebrand, Sue Irving, Casey Kohrt, Inger

Lamb, Jim Nedtwig, Erma Selser, Trish Patrick, Glenn Pollock, and Pam

White attended. Some items that were discussed:

Annual Meeting: Cindy Hildebrand agreed to look into organizing a

meeting this fall at Walnut Creek, Glenn Pollock offered to organize the

2002 meeting in the Dennison area.

E-mail: More IPN business will be conducted via e-mail to streamline

the process and to allow more time for discussion during the board

meetings. One week will be allowed for votes and responses.

Administrative problems: There have been some problems with

computerizing the membership addresses, Casey Kohrt will see if he can

sort them out. A committee was formed to look into the IPN’s

responsibilities for organization of old records and finances.

Secretary: Inger Lamb was voted interim secretary until a vote at the fall

annual meeting.

State Fair: Glenn Pollock signed up to give a talk at the Iowa State Fair,

“Is that a weed patch in my cemetery or is it a prairie”.

Ecotype: The nearly final drafts of 1) IPN’s definition of ecotype, 2) the

IPN position on usage of the term ecotype, and 3) the IPN statement on

the importance of using local ecotype plants were reviewed and approved.

These statements will be added to the website, along with guidelines for

selecting local ecotype plant material.

Long term IPN Goals: It was decided all board members would submit

3 ideas for the 5-10 year goals of the IPN and also their vision of Iowa’s

prairie needs to Jim Nedtwig for compilation and future discussion. A

retreat may be held to discuss these ideas and the direction the IPN

should take in the future.

Jim Vonk, DNR Director: The meeting with Mr. Vonk was set for 11AM

July 26 at Big Creek State Park.

Maps: Casey Kohrt has been compiling maps of remnant prairies

overlaid with current roadways, and will be making these available on the

website. A few counties were presented at the meeting and looked great.

Grant: A grant of $250 was given to Kirk Henderson to go toward 20

years’ rent on a 2 acre prairie remnant in Blackhawk Co.

PRAIRIE INVERTEBRATES CONFERENCE

The Prairie Invertebrates Conference will be November 3, 2001 at Luther

College, Decorah, IA. Contact Kirk Larson at (563) 387-1558 or

larsenkj@luther.edu for more information.