Iowa Audubon

News

Mar 12, 2026
TNC in Iowa protects much nature along the Cedar River
The Nature Conservancy recently acquired 400 acres of addition to its Land of the Swamp White Oak (LOTSWO) Preserve, along the Cedar River in southeast Iowa. That enlarges TNC’s preserve to over 5,000 acres and protects a huge diversity of plants and animals, while helping more water quality for the Cedar River.
Perhaps many Iowans are not aware that this stretch of the Cedar River, when also including Iowa DNR, County Conservation System, and other public lands, hosts one of the largest stretches of protected natural landscape anywhere in the state, totaling nearly 50,000 acres. It’s a huge mix of river floodplains including river oxbows, native prairie, and Swamp White Oak savannas, a diverse ecosystem unlike almost anything else in Iowa. For birders, it’s a great location to seek species nesting here annually. Some reported by Iowa Audubon include Sandhill Cranes, Black-crowned Hight Herons, Red-shouldered Hawks, Acadian Flycatchers, Bell’s Vireos, Cerulean Warblers, and Blue Grosbeaks. In addition to birds, the lower end of the Cedar River, including the LOTSWO, was designated by Iowa DNR as the SE Iowa Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Area, home to nearly 85% of all herptiles in Iowa. It is the first such area designated in the entire U.S.

LOTSWO is an excellent spot for birds and all nature study, but it’s mostly undeveloped with limited trails. When hiking, bring water, wear protective clothing, use insect repellent, and watch out for poison ivy.The Nature Conservancy recently acquired 400 acres of addition to its Land of the Swamp White Oak (LOTSWO) Preserve, along the Cedar River in southeast Iowa. That enlarges TNC’s preserve to over 5,000 acres and protects a huge diversity of plants and animals, while helping more water quality for the Cedar River.

Jul 06, 2025
State of the Birds report 2025

In 2019, a study was published in the journal Science, with an alarm showing a net loss of 3 billion birds in North America isince the 1970s. The new 2025 State of the Birds report shows those losses are continuing, with declines among several bird trend indicators. Still more grassland birds are declining, and perhaps even more notable is that duck populations, which had strong increases since 1970, have begun trending downward in recent years. Both Mallards and Northern Pintails have decreased in numbers since 2019, with pintails now in the most serious decline.

But science is now showing that private lands conservation programs, and voluntary conservation partnerships for working lands, hold some of the best opportunities for sparking immediate turnarounds for birds. It is up to all of us who enjoy our nation's natural resources to work with landowners, government agencies, and everyone possible, plus make monetary donations, to expand turnaround populations of birds on private lands in the coming years. Go to the following website to read the entire new State of the Birds report:

https://www.stateofthebirds.org/2025/

Dec 12, 2024
Urban Bird Treaty Act

In October, Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI) introduced legislation to support a program conserving birds that live in and migrate through urban areas. The Urban Bird Treaty Act would authorize $1 million each year for a program currently administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). North America has lost 3 billion birds over the past 50 years due to habitat loss and other threats. Dedicated funding to conserve habitat in cities and towns and create bird-friendly communities is an essential part of reducing this decline and bending the bird curve.

The Urban Bird Treaty program, currently managed by FWS, supports partnerships of local, state, and federal government agencies, non-profit organizations, corporations, and local communities. It also provides funding for the Five Star & Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. In addition to community education and conservation, the program supports efforts to reduce hazards to birds in urban environments, including collisions with buildings, invasive species, toxins, and more. It is important for us to contact our Iowa representatives and ask their support for this legislation.