Iowa Nature Minute
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| Mary Ellen Leicht |
The Iowa Nature Minute is a series of weekly radio spots created and produced by Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The program presents varied topics related to Iowa’s land, water and wildlife.
Did you miss last week's show? Read a short description and click the link to listen. (Note: These mp3 files are about 1 meg each.)
Recent Iowa Nature Minutes
Get Outdoors this Winter - Dec.9, 2011: Iowa's County Conservation Boards provide many opportunities to get outside this winter with programming throughout the season such as owl watching, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Find a link to your county's conservation board or visit mycountyparks.com.
Iowa's Woodlands - November 11, 2011: Did you know woodlands once covered 20 percent of Iowa? Today that number has dropped to only 6 percent, and woodlands are found mostly in small, private lots. Landowners play an important role in woodland management, and can greatly impact the amount of woodland habitats remaining in Iowa. Find out how in this week's Iowa Nature Minute.
Goat Prairies - October 28, 2011: What's a goat prairie? Goat prairies, more formally known as hill prairies, are common on Iowa's eastern borders. They're sometimes called "goat prairies" because they're so steep that only a sure-footed goat could graze them.
Whitetail Deer in Late Fall - October 21, 2011: Iowa now has about 300,000 white-tails, but older Iowans can remember when sighting a deer was a rare surprise. Because early settlers overhunted deer, the state banned deer-hunting season for decades.
Deer can thrive in wooded areas, croplands and even suburban yards, anywhere with enough cover and food. But keep a sharp eye on the roads in late fall: it's breeding season, and deer are on the move.
Exploring Iowa's Trails in Autumn - October 6, 2011: Explore Iowa by trail while the leaves are changing and the bugs are few. Trails often run along former railroad lines, where bicyclists and walkers can experience the best of Iowa’s countryside and friendly communities. To find a trail near you, refer to our interactive map of the state's system.
New documentary features Ding Darling, Iowa conservationist - September 30, 2011: Ding Darling, the conservationist and Pulitzer Prize-winner, is the posthumous star of a new documentary, "America's Darling," created by Samuel Koltinsky. Iowans can see a special preview of the film at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Prairie City as part of its annual Ding Darling Day celebration on October 8th.
REAP assemblies: Taking place in your community - September 23, 2011: REAP, or the Resource Enhancement and Protection program, does good year after year by creating state and local parks, hunting areas and environmental education programs. Learn about local projects and voice your opinions at your area REAP assembly, now through October 27th. To learn more about REAP and find an assembly near you, visit our News section.
2011 Lawrence and Eula Hagie Award Winner: Chad Graeve - September 16, 2011: INHF has selected Chad Graeve to receive the 2011 Lawrence and Eula Hagie Award for his conservation leadership in Iowa. His work with the Loess Hills Alliance – and his passion for assisting private landowners – make him a deserving recipient.
Keep an Eye on the Sky: Raptor Migration Seasons - September 9, 2011: How many raptor species can you identify? Fall is the perfect time to glimpse birds of prey as they soar through Iowa, especially along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. Bird experts offer HawkWatch events in some of Iowa's most beautiful outdoor locations.
Butterfly Migration- August 25, 2011: Iowa's butterfly populations have declined to habitat loss here and elsewhere. However, you can still hope to experience the spectacle of Monarch migration that takes place in late summer and early fall. Learn more by reading Dennis Schlicht's Ecology College article, "Iowa's butterflies: color and conservation."
National Park Service- August 18, 2011: The National Park Service is turning 95 years old next Thursday, but its history goes back much further. Learn about its creation and more in this episode, then check out the National Park Service website.
Trout Streams- August 11, 2011: Trout are some of the most beautiful fish in Iowa, but they can only survive under certain conditions. Therefore, they rely on good land use practices that we unfortunately have not always utilized. For much more about trout species and streams, listen to this week's Iowa Nature Minute. Then read Bill Kalishek's Ecology College article, "Iowa's Trout Hook Anglers & Conservationists."
Algific Talus Slopes- August 4, 2011: Northeast Iowa's Algific Talus Slopes never get much warmer than 40 degrees -- even in the dog days of summer! To find out how this is possible, listen to this Iowa Nature Minute, then learn more by reading Bill Witt's Ecology College article, "An Ecosystem Frozen in Time."
MyCountyParks.com- July 29, 2011: The Iowa Association of County Conservation Board's new website, www.mycountyparks.com, is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to explore Iowa's wild places. It also features events and even allows you to reserve cabins and campsites.
RAGBRAI 2011- July 21, 2011: The 39th Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa starts next week. But if you're not up for biking 500 miles from the Missouri River to the Mississippi, consider celebrating the week with a shorter bike ride in your neighborhood or one of Iowa's beautiful trails!
Iowa Prairie Conference (July 28-29)- July 14, 2011: The annual Iowa Prairie Conference brings together prairie experts and enthusiasts from around the state to celebrate and learn about our state's native landscape. This year's event will be held July 28-29th in Estherville. Click here for more information about registration and the conference in general.
Hickory Ridge Dedication (July 22-23)- July 7, 2011: Come celebrate the "re-wilding" of the new Hickory Ridge campsite on Lake Red Rock on July 22-23. The weekend will feature nature hikes, kayak and canoe training, campfires and more! Visit our Hickory Ridge page for much more information.
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