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Conservation

Whannel Farm to host Practical Farmers of Iowa on Aug. 23

TRAER – Whannel Farm on the western outskirts of Traer is set to host a Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) field day next week focused on creating wildlife habitat on the farm. The event titled ‘Pollinators, Prairie Strips and Oxbows’ will take place on Wednesday, August 23 beginning at ...

Tama Co. Conservation director placed on administrative leave

RURAL TOLEDO — As Otter Creek Lake slowly begins to refill following the long-awaited completion of the lake restoration project, Tama County Conservation has suddenly found itself without a leader. Effective last Monday, July 31 at 4 p.m., Tama Co. Conservation Director Stephen Mayne was ...

Little concert on the (Irvine) prairie

RURAL DYSART – Under the shade of two towering maple trees and surrounded by a mixture of blooming woodland and prairie flowers, UNI’s Tallgrass Prairie Center (TPC) hosted a free folk concert across the road from the Irvine Prairie last Saturday afternoon. The event drew some 60 people ...

USDA authorizes emergency haying, grazing of CRP acres for 46 Iowa counties

DES MOINES – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Matt Russell, today announced that 46 Iowa Counties are now authorized for emergency haying or grazing use of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres for fiscal year 2023.The 26 counties ...

Dysart Lions dedicate tree in honor of town birthday

DYSART – The Dysart Lions Club alongside Mayor Tim Glenn dedicated a tree in city park on Sunday, July 2 as part of the community’s Sesquicentennial celebrations. A Northern Japanese elm was selected for the planting due to both its diversity and ability to fit the chosen space well, ...

Help the Iowa DNR count turkeys

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is looking for help with its annual wild turkey production survey. During the months of July and August, wild turkey sightings are recorded to estimate this year’s nesting rates and nest success. Participation is easy – just note the date ...

Otter Creek Lake & Park reopens June 29

TOLEDO – Following lake improvements, visitors will once again be able to hike and camp at Otter Creek Lake & Park starting on Thursday, June 29. Upon reopening, all park trails, roads, restrooms, and shelters will be available for public use. Campsites will be available on a ...

Pollinators: Tama County Women, Land & Legacy to host upcoming event

Join Tama County Women, Land & Legacy for its upcoming event, “Summer Buzz: Farmstead Pollinator Tour.” It will be held on Wednesday, June 28 at the Jan and Rob Wobeter farmstead, 2551 300th Street in rural Toledo, one mile south of Highway E-43 (Duponda blacktop) at the intersection ...

Irvine Prairie expansion dedicated north of Dysart

RURAL DYSART - Last Friday afternoon on local conservationist Cathy Irvine’s farm located roughly five miles north of Dysart as the crow flies, a special ceremony took place in a meadow tucked between a grove of nut trees and a former soybean field. Some 60 people had gathered to officially ...

Tama Co. Conservation to begin phasing in new logo

TOLEDO — The Tama Co. Board of Conservation voted last Wednesday night to begin phasing in a new logo featuring a black and white graphic of a trumpeter swan – a native species once absent from Iowa altogether but thanks to restoration efforts including at Otter Creek Marsh near Chelsea, ...