(Radio Iowa) – Researchers recently discovered what’s known as a “remnant prairie” at the Iowa State University Horticulture Research Station and they’re working to restore it. Remnant prairies have never been plowed or completely converted into non-native species. Only about zero-point-one percent of this original habitat remains in Iowa, though it once covered nearly 80-percent of the state. Nick Howell is superintendent for the horticulture research station. “This was found as a fluke,” Howell says. “When I started here in 2006, you couldn’t even get to it. It was just completely full of scrub brush.”

He says the one-and-a-half acre area beside a lake was totally overgrown, but three years ago, a researcher recognized seeds pods under snow while working on a fish habitat project. Howell says prairie specialists came out that spring to confirm it was a remnant. “It had been protected for a long, long time,” Howell says, “and once we cleared the brush and started burning it, the prairie species started to re-appear.” Prairie intern Rachel Sents says it’s taken a significant amount of work to get the prairie back into its original shape. “Really what we’re doing out here is we’re trying to fight back on those species that are out-competing with the natives,” Sents says, “and give the natives a better chance.”

Monarchs flourish on native Iowa milkweed plants — Photo by Karl Schilling

I-S-U ecology professor Brian Wilsey says the remnant prairie at the research station north of Ames is a true gem, filled with all sorts of native plants. “This is a wild bergamot and then of course, there’s rural milkweed, one of the hosts for our monarch butterflies,” Wilsey says. “Most prairies that you visit are reconstructions, so they’re seeded prairies on old crop fields like at Neal Smith and other places. The remnants are really rare.”

Reconstructed prairies are becoming more common, Wilsey says, and they currently account for one-to-two-percent of the state.

(by Rachel Cramer, Iowa Public Radio)

(Iowa News Service) – Farmers in Iowa are studying interactions between crops, water usage, carbon and nitrogen storage, and how those factors combine to affect longterm soil biodiversity. It’s part of a seven-state project in the Midwest. Researchers are looking at the effects of crop combinations on soil and moisture across the Corn Belt.

Iowa State University Agronomy Professor Sotirious Archontoulis is running one research site in the five-year, $16 million project. He’s monitoring how crop management, carbon and nitrogen content affect soil moisture – and will try to predict the impact on the viability of future crops. “We have the same setup in many different environments to capture different organic matter, soil hydrology conditions,” said Archontoulis, “so we get a better understanding of the complexities in the agronomic system.”

Archontoulis said scientists can also study greenhouse gas emissions from the soil. He said these ultimately affect its health and can have an impact on large ag operation waste runoff, which is known to pollute nearby ground and surface water. The research is gearing up now.

Based on the computer model’s findings, Archontoulis said researchers can make recommendations to farmers based on – for example – how much nitrogen the soil is losing in certain places, and how they can adjust planting schedules as a result.

“We can say, ‘This cropping system with this management practice typically loses that amount of nitrogen,'” said Archontoulis. “‘However, the other combination of cropping system could reduce nitrogen loss and improve productivity by X%, so this is a better strategy to move forward.'”

Archontoulis said the research begins across the Midwest this summer.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic’s Parks Advisory Commission are set to hold their regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, beginning at 3:30-p.m. The meeting takes place in the Parks and Rec Office located just off Sunnyside Lane (1200 Sunnyside Lane).

Old business for the Commission includes updates on:

1. A model solar system project for the Schildberg Recreation Area: In March (2024), the Parks Advisory Commission received a request from Carrol Garrett, for a model solar system to be installed at the Schildberg Recreation Area, dedicated to memory of her husband John. During their meeting last month (June, 2024), Parks Coordinator Jeff Christensen said he was still working on finding different-size spheres for the project, and Chair Kevin Ferguson said he would inquire with Red Oak Fabrication and Curtis Welding, to see if they can help in any way.
2. Splash Pad Update: Jeff Christensen is expected to report on progress with the concrete pad for the project, which includes the framing and pouring of the pad, which was underway last week (July 18th).
3. The Bull Creek Park entrance sign: Last month, Kevin Ferguson obtained a conceptual “draft” for a sign from J.J. Design. The local Junior Federated organization is working with the Ferguson and the Commission on a possible replacement for the current worn, damaged entrance sign.

Under New Business, the Parks Commission will discuss costs associated with a swing set at Harl Holt Park, and foam safety (Fall) padding for the swing set base.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has ordered three people to pay $10,000 apiece for burning 10 chicken confinement buildings near Villisca last year, without proper approval. Shawn Gohlinghorst of Red Oak and Darrel Schipansky of Villisca were recently fined for the June 29, 2023, fires. The DNR had previously fined Tyson Means of Villisca.

The Iowa Capital Dispatch previously reported the men had sought to raze the dilapidated buildings and grow crops on the land. Schipansky owned the property at the time of the fires, and Gohlinghorst and Means later bought it on contract.

Although state law typically forbids people from burning buildings to dispose of them — because of the potential to diminish air quality — there are exceptions for agricultural buildings. However, the men failed to inspect the buildings for asbestos, and they did not get approval from the local fire chief, which was required because the buildings were within city limits.

Each of the wood-framed buildings was 50 feet wide and 728 feet long, the DNR orders said. They were ignited about 3 p.m., after recent rainfall. Emergency responders were not aware of the fires before nearby residents began calling about them. “Various governmental entities in Montgomery, Page and Adams counties received dozens of telephone calls regarding the fire and black smoke,” the DNR orders said.

Fires burned 10 former chicken confinement buildings near Villisca in June 2023. (Photo by Brian Hamman/courtesy of Iowa DNR)

Brian Hamman, emergency management coordinator for Montgomery County, said the fires burned into the night, and that their smoke and glow were visible for miles. They were so large that it would have taken nearly 10 area fire departments to extinguish them if they began to spread, the orders said, but they remained confined to the building sites.

Sampling of the building debris did not reveal any asbestos, but it was not possible to determine whether asbestos existed in the building before the fires, the orders said. Gohlinghorst and Means disposed of the remaining debris at a landfill in September and October 2023.

All three men agreed to pay the $10,000 fines, which is the highest amount the DNR can assess administratively.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking informal comments on administrative rules for special nonresident deer and turkey licenses. Executive Order 10 (EO10), signed by Governor Reynolds on January 10, 2023, requires all state agencies to identify which administrative rule chapters will be retained or rescinded. The EO10 process includes public engagement with the opportunity for meaningful input.

The Iowa DNR has reviewed the following rule chapter relating to programs administered by the Customer and Employee Services Bureau: 561 Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) Chapter 12 (Special Nonresident Deer and Turkey Licenses). Based on the review, the DNR has revised this chapter to eliminate redundancies and improve efficiency and clarity. Additional changes include removing inconsistency on due dates for applications by allowing the coordinator to set dates, removing language about services provided by recipients of special promotional licenses, and removing reference to an electronic lottery system, as outdated.

The public is invited to provide informal comments on the proposed rule changes. The DNR will accept written comments through July 25, 2024. Written comments or questions regarding the proposed rules should be submitted to Denise.Roberg@dnr.iowa.gov. Comments should be made to specific portions of the rules.

After receiving and reviewing informal comments, the DNR will create a draft Regulatory Analysis and draft Notice of Intended Action. The DNR will host a formal public comment period for these drafts, followed by a public hearing, in September 2024.

Versions of the rules, including a “clean” copy and a version showing revisions, can be found on the DNR webpage: https://www.iowadnr.gov/About-DNR/About-DNR/Administrative-Rules.

(Radio Iowa) – The Dickinson County Emergency Management Commission will lift high water speed restrictions on the Iowa Great Lakes area this weekend. Dickinson County Emergency Management Coordinator Michael Ehret says some commissioners wanted to extend the five-mile-an-hour rule another week, but that was overruled.

“There were still concerns about the shorelines that were damaged. There’s also concerns about the economic impact that it’s having on the lakes area and tourism,” Ehert says. “There’s no level that we can set that’s going to please everybody. It’s just not possible.” A report from the Iowa Regents’ Lakeside Lab says more than 70 shorelines have collapsed due to the high water. Tourism officials in the region estimate tourism is down by 40 to 60 percent. Ehert is urging boaters to remain cautious.

Photo via Okoboji Online

“Everybody’s anxious to get out in the lake and have fun but just be careful and then be respectful of the lake shore property owners that had damages,” he says. Ehret says the rule would be reinstated if the area get high amounts of rain that bring the water levels back up.

The speed limit for boaters and jet skiers will end Saturday at 6 a-m.

(By Sheila Brummer, Iowa Public Radio)

PAULLINA – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a fish kill at Mud Creek near Paullina in O’Brien County.

On July 17, the DNR Field Office in Spencer was notified of dead fish in Mud Creek, south of Paullina. Further investigation revealed Roorda Dairy of Paullina was land applying manure in a field, which entered a blown out tile that discharges to Mud Creek. The amount of manure released is unknown at this time. Dead fish have been observed for several miles in the creek.

The manure release has stopped. DNR staff from the Spencer Field Office and Spirit Lake Fisheries Office are onsite, and the investigation is ongoing.

Downstream water users should avoid using water from Mud Creek.

If you see dead or stressed fish at a lake or river, call the DNR’s 24-hour spill line at 515-725-8694 as soon as possible. Quick reporting can help DNR staff identify the cause of a fish kill and potentially stop a fish kill in progress.

(Radio Iowa) – After facing online criticism, John Deere has announced it will no longer sponsor “external social or cultural awareness events” like parades or festivals. Deere’s statement says the company is “always listening to feedback and looking for opportunities to improve.” The farm equipment maker announced it is auditing employee training materials to make sure there are no “socially-motivated messages.”

file photo

The company said it has never had diversity quotas or pronoun identification requirements. The statement comes after a conservative on X, formerly known as Twitter, called on John Deere to dismantle its diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Grow Another Row Committee is hosting a free event at Mollett Park on August 6, 2024, at 6:30 pm. “Pots and Popsicles” is a free class to learn about patio gardens. Participants can plant lettuce, spinach, herbs, radishes, and/or peas to keep on their patios. This free educational gardening event will help participants learn how to plant, care for, and harvest late-season plants to enjoy this fall. Popsicles and refreshments will be provided.

Participants are welcome to bring their own pots; otherwise, pots can be provided. The Grow Another Row Committee and Thrivent Funding will provide seeds and soil. Attendees can also plant an extra pot to donate to the local food pantry.

Mollett Park is located at 1020 East 3rd Street Place, in Atlantic (off of N. Mulberry Street).

If you are interested in attending, registration is strongly encouraged by August 2, 2024. This will ensure that we have enough supplies. Please register by contacting Grace McAfee at mcage@casshealth.org or by phone at 712-250-8170.