iowa State Report 2011

conservation Summary The future of and waterfowl Hogsback Complex (Dickinson Co.) is expected to provide significant landscape conservation is brighter in Iowa thanks to and the Barringer /Blue-wing/ improvements and societal benefits for all several major accomplishments in 2010. DU Complex (Clay and Palo Alto Iowans, while helping preserve the state’s Through theLiving Lakes Initiative, Ducks Co.). Since 1986, DU and its partners have rich waterfowling tradition. Unlimited and its partners continue to conserved nearly 70,000 acres of habitat Major improvements continue on make significant strides toward improving across the state with a total investment of several Living Lakes projects including the long-term health and viability of over $14.3 million. Lizard Lake (Pocahontas Co.), Pickeral Iowa’s shallow lakes and wetlands. Over Also in 2010, DU members joined over Lake (Buena Vista Co.) and Zirbel Slough 2,100 acres of shallow lake, and 600,000 Iowans that voted “yes” to create a (Cerro Gordo Co.). Other highlights associated upland habitat were protected, dedicated and protected Natural Resource include DU’s continued partnership restored or enhanced on county, state and and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund. with The Nature Conservancy, Iowa federal lands during 2010. Once funded by future sales tax revenue, Department of Natural Resources and Major wetland enhancement and this trust fund will provide approximately others to secure another $1 million North restoration projects were completed on $150 million annually to improve water American Wetlands Conservation Act Burr Oak Lake (Emmet Co.), Eagle Flats quality, protect soils, enhance critical fish grant for future land protection and Marsh (Hancock Co.), Bison Waterfowl and wildlife habitat and provide increased wetland conservation activities throughout Production Area (Kossuth Co.), Kettleson- public recreation opportunities. This fund north-central Iowa.

For information about conservation programs in Iowa, contact Eric Lindstrom: [email protected]/515.232.9104

Conservation in Tough Times It’s apparent that our nation is in The reason for this extraordinary return has to do with what’s called for some financial belt-tightening. “ecosystem services” performed by wetlands and grasslands, which are As deficits soar and people struggle the focus of DU’s conservation programs. These habitats, abundant in to make ends meet, the search priority landscapes like the , Mississippi Alluvial is on to cut back on “frills.” One Valley, Gulf Coast, Chesapeake Bay and the Central Valley of California, can’t help but wonder about the also purify water, recharge aquifers, moderate flooding and offer dozens implications for conservation. of other benefits that would be extraordinarily costly to replace. Most DU members place conservation high on If that’s not enough practical benefit from conservation, consider that their list of personal values. Preserving the wetlands medical science has demonstrated clear linkages between connecting with and waterfowl that we hold dear has, for decades, nature and ameliorating ADD, lowering blood pressure, and offering general motivated many of you to give generously of your time improvement in physical and mental health. Increasingly, “nature” persists and wealth. Unfortunately, not everyone in our nation through the dedicated efforts of organizations like . shares the same viewpoint, so it’s worth considering So as we think about how to get our Did you know? how DU’s conservation programs add value to society financial house in order, let’s remind as a whole. decision-makers that conservation is In 2010 IA had 17,630 adult and For example, research has shown investments in anything but a “frill.” 2,783 Greenwing members! conservation offer a hundredfold return on capital. Project Update Eagle Flats Marsh completed Nestled in the heart of Iowa’s Prairie Pothole Region, Eagle Flats Marsh is a major staging and breeding area for waterfowl and other migratory birds. Following years of extensive habitat loss and wetland degradation, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service launched a strategic plan to protect and restore this formerly drained shallow marsh complex. In 2010, DU and the Iowa DNR completed a large-scale wetland renovation project to enhance nearly 270 acres of the marsh by installing a series of levees, water control structures and a pump. By creating four independent wetland cells, DNR managers now have the ability to effectively manage water levels and control vegetation to optimize habitat conditions for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent wildlife. The Iowa DNR and DU plan to The final stage of completing the project, includes the installation celebrate the success of this $500,000 wetland enhancement project of muskrat wire. This wire prevents them from burrowing and recognize all of the key partners involved by hosting a formal through which can cause embankment failure. project dedication in 2011.

Public Policy Update Ducks, Politicians and Lobbyists Ducks Unlimited has worked on behalf NAWCA’s success is related to the many DU DU IOWA of waterfowl and wetlands conservation members and volunteers working with their Grassroots & Conservation for 74 years and recently has directed elected officials to ensure adequate funding. 2005 - 2009 The minimum conservation goal for each efforts toward state and national policy. Up for renewal in 2012, the Farm Bill is state is to spend the equivalent of 7.5% of total A strong biological foundation is the a significant policy issue affecting the entire grassroots income raised in that state. This is based on a five-year average. cornerstone of DU’s conservation U.S. The Farm Bill contains critical wildlife- $92,833 programs, but science also tells us that friendly programs like the Conservation 5-Year Average $997,851 1,000,000 Conservation we must consider social and political Reserve Program and Wetlands Reserve 500,000 Expenditure 5-Year Average 250,000 Minimum Conservation environments, engaging where we can Program. These programs and others like Goal Expenditure

Conservation 100,000 Actual to make a difference. them not only provide millions of acres of Expenditures ($) The North American Wetlands high quality wildlife habitat, but also reduce Conservation Act is perhaps the soil erosion, improve water quality and increase carbon sequestration. The current budget most significant policy work for DU. situation will make for tough times in negotiating for conservation programs in the Each year DU advocates for NAWCA new Farm Bill. Ensuring the inclusion of a strong sodsaver provision to remove federal appropriations that yield millions of incentives for converting native grasslands will also be a high priority. DU will advocate dollars for habitat conservation in the for conservation programs to be an integral part of a working lands approach to America’s U.S., Canada and Mexico. NAWCA farms and ranches. encourages partnerships and creative DU invites all of you to act by visiting: www.ducks.org/policy leveraging of funds to produce on-the- You can receive the latest policy news by subscribing to: ground results that benefit waterfowl DU’s Conservation Issues Briefing atwww.ducks.org/cib and other wildlife species. Much of

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