Watershed Awareness Month

Conservation Connection

Hello Mike,

Five Stages of Watershed Awareness

by Water Quality Specialist Dan Haug

October is Watershed Awareness Month, by proclamation of the city councils and the County Conservation Board in Story County. Okay, so what do we want people to be aware of?

3 Minute Read

Clean Water Act Fact #40:

Illicit Discharge

by Water Quality Specialist Dan Haug

🗑️ Disposing of waste into storm sewers violates state laws and local ordinances.

✏️ As a condition of a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, cities with storm sewer systems have programs to stop illicit discharges and to educate the public.

Fact #40 90 Second Video

Story County Water Quality Monitoring Update

by Water Quality Specialist Dan Haug

We saw some of our worst E. coli readings of the year, a day after some intense but scattered showers.

Full Monthly Update With Detailed Data Here

Have a Delightful Halloween Hike

by Conservation Specialist Jessica Butters

While most people will be putting up lights and hoarding candy for Halloween, you can hit the trails to see some of the most interesting and spooky beings found naturally, right here in Iowa!

3 Minute Read

Pollinator of the Month

Paper Wasp (Polistes fuscatus)

by Pollinator Conservation Specialist Jessica Butters

Paper wasps are buzzing with activity! They may be intimidating, but these native wasps are gentle and great pollinators! They keep garden pests at bay, and their nests only last one year.

Hives are now at peak activity due to new queens being born. Soon the hives will die and the new queens will overwinter elsewhere. Wasps are important predators and pollinators in the food chain; try slowing down near them and seeing how docile and misunderstood they are!

Let your neighbors know you're "Leaving the Leaves for Butterflies and Bees" and doing your part to improve pollinator survival throughout Iowa's fall and winter.

Signs are made of corrugated weather-resistant material and include a wire stand. Call our Office Manager Carman Rosburg to get your sign before they're gone.

(515) 232-0048

Monarch Magic a Day of Adventurous Fun!

by PR & Marketing Coordinator Mike Kellner

Prairie Rivers of Iowa hosted the family-friendly event Monarch Magic on Saturday, September 9 at Ada Hayden Heritage Park in Ames. Attendees had the experience of tagging a monarch butterfly to help scientists track their migration and participated in many fun activities to learn more about this butterfly and other pollinators.

Short Highlight Video Here

Byway Buzz

Top 10 Things I Didn’t Know About Rolle Bolle

by Byway Coordinator Jeanie Hau

Recently, I had the opportunity to hang out with the group of Rolle Bolle enthusiasts who play this game every weekend of the summer rotating between courts in the Iowa Valley, Minnesota, and Illinois. They are such a welcoming group who made me feel at home.

6 Minute Read

Here Stands Ruth Anne Dodge Memorial Known as the Black Angel

by Special Projects Manager Shellie Orngard

High atop a ridge overlooking the Missouri Valley is Council Bluffs’ Fairview Cemetery, where stands the Ruth Anne Dodge Memorial, also known as the Black Angel. Legend has it the spot is haunted and visitors sometimes report unusual occurrences.

3 Minute Read

Top 11 Haunts Along the Lincoln Highway National Heritage Byway

by Byway Coordinator Jeanie Hau

#11) Marsh Rainbow Arch Bridge

# 10) The Boone News Republican

# 9) Riverside Cemetery

#8) Coe College

S ee the Full List Here

Prairie Rivers of Iowa Board President Reed Riskedahl

Apply to be a Prairie Rivers of Iowa Board of Director Today!

The Prairie Rivers of Iowa Board of Directors is seeking new directors with skills and professional experience related to nonprofit operations, management and leadership, and fundraising in order to meet the needs of a growing organization. We are looking for new board members to begin in January 2024. Click for More Info and to Apply

Watershed and Wildlife Events

Outdoor Alliance of Story County

Thursday Afternoon Fall Foliage Walks

October 12 - 26, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Enjoy a series of three fall walks while exploring local public parks. TWalks are free and do not require registration. Details Here

The Clean Water Act at 51 - Webinar

Wednesday, 10/18 noon CST

We're not quite done with our weekly video series on the Clean Water Act, but the 51st anniversary is a good chance to reflect on what we've learned and take a big-picture look at water quality protections in Iowa. The webinar will be recorded.

Details Here

IStorm 2023

Stormwater Conference and Exhibition

November 1 and 2, 2023

Stormwater Conference and Exhibition

Expert presentations on the latest advancements in stormwater management. Details Here

Byway Events

Iowa Lincoln Highway Association Business Meeting

Saturday, October 14, 2023, 9:30 a.m.

Main Street Guest House 114 Main Street, Arcadia, IA

Details Here

Marshall County Courthouse Interpretive Panel Unveiling

October 25th, 11 a.m. Marshall County Courthouse

1 East Main Street, Marshalltown, IA

Unveiling of a new Lincoln Highway National Heritage Byway interpretive panel showcasing the restoration of the courthouse after damage due to the 2018 tornado and the 2020 derecho.

Pritchard's Historic Innovation Relay

Traveling the Lincoln Highway to Celebrate 110 Years

Beginning at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, October 31st

Relay drive from Clinton to Council Bluffs

Details Here

Our Wish List

A fun and unique way to support our work is to contribute to our Wish List. Your special gift helps us obtain the critical supplies and equipment we need to continue our work. Current Wish List Needs: New or used laptop computer with HDMI output/s, onboard camera, and microphone for educational presentations, gas gift cards to help us navigate the 537 plus miles our staff must travel to support Byway management efforts.

Yes I'd Like to Give to the PRI Wish List