INHF's AmeriCorps crew restores Iowa habitat

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This article was written in spring 2005 and posted on INHF's website in August 2005

		photo by Joe McGovern
	INHF's 2005 AmeriCorps crew helped restore and reconstruct prairies and other native habitats in central Iowa.

As nine AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps members conclude a six-week stint working in Iowa’s prairies, a lasting legacy remains on both the state’s natural resources and themselves.

Since April 20, the AmeriCorps team members have helped the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) and the Polk County Conservation Board (PCCB) protect and restore native habitat at several sites in Iowa.  The crew focused their efforts on the Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt, managed by PCCB, and the Snyder Heritage Farm, managed by INHF.  They also completed projects at INHF sites including the Faust Farm in Appanoose County and Razor’s Hominy Ridge Prairie in Jasper County.

“Restoring the prairie is hard work,” said AmeriCorps Team Leader Bethany Haynes of Louisville, KY. “But prairies and oak savannas are a unique and beautiful part of Iowa’s natural landscape.  It’s vital to protect them.”

During their six weeks in Iowa, the AmeriCorps team has helped INHF and PCCB preserve and restore prairie and oak savanna—a prairie-like environment dotted with fire-resistant oak trees.  The crew has removed invasive trees and other plant species, planted oak trees and worked to educate the public about the urgent need to preserve Iowa’s natural resources.

INHF and PCCB preserve and restore prairie and oak savanna—a prairie-like environment dotted with fire-resistant oak trees.  The crew has removed invasive trees and other plant species, planted oak trees and worked to educate the public about the urgent need to preserve Iowa’s natural resources.

“The effort that the AmeriCorps team members have put toward reclaiming Iowa’s prairie is astounding,” said Joe McGovern, INHF’s land stewardship director.  “These honorary Iowans have had an opportunity to connect with the state’s natural lands that many native Iowans don’t get in a lifetime.”

Once prevalent habitats in Iowa, oak savanna and prairie have virtually disappeared from the state’s landscape. Iowa has lost 99.9 percent of the 28.6 million acres of native prairie that existed before settlers began developing the land.

“Iowa’s prairies look a lot different than the cityscape that I’m used to,” said team member Andrew Aversano of Staten Island, NY.  “But the prairie here is peaceful—it’s beautiful in its own way.”

The AmeriCorps team was coordinated by INHF, a non-profit organization committed to preserving Iowa’s land, water and wildlife resources.  To date, INHF has protected over 80,000 acres of Iowa’s wild places.  The Des Moines Metro Waste Authority and Iowa Heartland Resource Conservation and Development provided housing for the team’s Iowa stint.  The Ankeny YMCA also opened their facilities to the crew. 

Founded in 1994, AmeriCorps NCCC is a national service program in which 1,200 18- to 24- year-olds serve each year. During their 10-month terms, AmeriCorps members are deployed throughout the nation to improve the environment, enhance education, increase public safety, address unmet human needs, and assist with disaster relief.  The Corporation for National and Community Service administers AmeriCorps NCCC. 

For more information, e-mail Cathy Engstrom, Director of Communications, or call (515) 288-1846 or visit www.americorps.org/nccc.