Sierra Helps!
Note change of date/time from Unpacking April email.
On April 20, 10:00 AM - Noon: Local Sierra Club members will join North High School GSA students and Sioux City Environmental Advisory Board members to honor Earth Day by picking up trash on campus. Meet at the North Middle School parking lot, and have some fun!
Join us and Strong Women of the Four Directions for April’s “24 on 24” trash cleanup at Perry Creek Path.
Meet on Wednesday the 24th in the parking lot on the corner of 11th and Grandview at 6:45 PM. We'll cover our adopted section of the path to 6th St. We'll provide cloth gloves and trash bags donated by the City of Sioux City. This is a social event. Plan for one hour out of your evening.
Sunday, April 28, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Agape Community Garden annual Spring cleanup!
"Many Hands Make Light Work" Please join neighborhood residents and fellow Sierra Club members and friends to prepare the property for its official 2024 season opening. Choose your preferred task from a menu of to-dos. When we're done, Michelle will reward us with pizza and sodas!
Jeanne Bockholt, Northwest Iowa Group Sierra Club
Follow us on: Instagram @northwestiowasierragroup; Facebook; our website About Us | Sierra Club; or call/text 712.986.6210
Need Native Plants?
Apply for a Grant!
Loess Hills Wild Ones is offering grants to non-profit groups and individuals wishing to enhance their yards, gardens, or properties with native plants.
Grant deadline is April 30, 2024.
Details and applications can be found at https://loesshills.wildones.org/. Grants will be awarded on Friday, May 17 at 5:00 PM at the upcoming Loess Hills Wild Ones Spring Member’s Plant sale. For more information contact loesshillswildones@gmail.com.
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.
“The 2024 IPC is coming! The 2024 IPC is coming!
Mark your calendar for the August 16-18, 2024 Iowa Prairie Conference (IPC) at the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory. The conference will include time for fellowship, interesting educational sessions about prairies and current news about prairies and conservation efforts. There will also be unique prairie outings — including an opportunity for birding, a boat ride, a visit to a fen and an archeological outing! Details about registration procedures will be distributed within the next couple of months and will be available on the Iowa Prairie Network website: https://www.iowaprairienetwork.org.
Leesa McNeil, leesa.mcneil@gmail.com
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.
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:
Do away with the tax relief for protected forests and prairies.
Do away with charitable deductions for land donation.
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.
Current areas of the Oak Ridge Complex from the INHF map of projects