PRAIRIE REMNANT SURVEY UNDERWAY IN CENTRAL IOWA

April 14, 2004: Many people express concern about the small prairie remnants left in Iowa. These prairies, often only an acre or two, are usually too little for conservation organizations to help. It costs nearly as much to manage two acres as 20, and finding funds for larger areas is challenge enough. Nevertheless, these tiny remnants are an important portion of our remaining prairies.
Last spring INL president Inger Lamb spoke with Leroy Brown (Iowa NRCS State Conservationist) about this issue. Mr. Brown expressed concern that the little prairie remnants are “falling between the cracks”. They didn’t find a solution to the tricky problem of permanent protection for these sites, but did agree that the first step was to find and document remaining prairies, regardless of size.
By coincidence, Inger had recently heard that Dan Fenimore, working for the Jasper Co. NRCS office, had done a countywide survey for prairies, and had compiled an extensive notebook. So, a great prairie project evolved: Iowa Native Lands now has agreements with the NRCS, the Iowa DOT/Living Roadway Trust Fund, and the Iowa DNR to fund a prairie remnant survey in nine central counties, with plans to eventually survey most of Iowa.
Dan will locate prairies, then collect GPS data and do a brief species survey on each site. Surveys will begin with IDNR Statewide Prairie Inventory data, and then expand using the advice of local prairie experts. Another important feature will be networking with landowners. Data will become part of the IDNR Prairie Inventory database. Information about privately-owned remnants will be made available to appropriate individuals who make land-use decisions, but not the general public.
So, great news, Dan has finished Story, Marshall, and Warren counties. If you know of any prairies there or elsewhere in central Iowa that aren’t likely to already be in the IDNR Statewide Prairie Inventory database, please contact him at Dan.Fenimore@ia.usda.gov or 515-290-3425.

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