Iowa Prairie Network's Central Region Selects IWC BioBlitz Project for Funding!
On Saturday, January 28th, the Iowa Prairie Network's Central Region (IPN-CR) held its winter meeting at the Ankeny Campus, Des Moines Area Community College. An estimated 150 attendees came together to learn about all things prairie and talk to some of the nicest, most knowledgeable people in the conservation field. This year, there were great presentations about managing prairie for amphibians and reptiles, selecting sites for savanna restoration, creative writing, and BioBlitzes. The exhibit room had 30 exhibitors, including IWC and ISU's Wildlife Extension who joined together to exhibit live snakes and turtles of the prairie.
The IWC BioBlitz project was selected from among other fine projects to receive the proceeds of the IPN-CR's amazingly fun silent auction that took place during the afternoon! The IWC, with assistance from partner organizations like the Iowa Prairie Network, is organizing and hosting three BioBLitz events in 2012. The family-friendly BioBlitzes will take place on WildWay, our 75 acres of grassland, wetland, woodland and savanna in Boone County.
Bio-what? As IWC's Marlene Ehresman and Drake's Dr. Tom Rosburg explained through photos and stories of Iowa's past BioBlitzes during the final program of the day, a BioBlitz is a 24-hour race -- a day of discovery, identification and assessment to begin to unlock the secrets of the land by figuring out what plant and animal species live on a particular property. It's part education, part science and part celebration of the biodiversity around us! It's also a gathering of scientists and educators, who lead the teams into the field to conduct the species surveys, and citizens, who want to learn more about the world around them.
The Iowa Wildlife Center extends sincere thanks to the Iowa Prairie Network Central Region for selecting this project, and to the silent auction donors and participants that made the fundraising effort a rousing success. We don't know the final tally, so we'll report back to you as soon as we know.
Curious about birds or bats, ferns or frogs, dragonflies or dogwoods, snail or fungi? Be ready to blitz for biodiversity! Check back often to register for the May 12th, June 30th and September 8th events.
Year-end Fundraising Appeal
We mailed out our year-end fundraising appeal letters in December, thanks to several volunteers who spent a few hours stuffing envelopes, and sent a few emails gathering support. We've had wonderful feedback that has translated into marvelous support so far! And, to make it easier to contribute, you can now donate online!
We think you'll agree that we have come a long way in building a sustainable organization while simultaneously fulfilling our mission. We haven't been able to do it without wonderful volunteers and donors, and it is with your continued support that we will fully realize our mission of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, conservation education and wildlife assistance skills training here in Iowa. Thank you for responding so generously! Arlo, Sunspot, Olive, Velcro, Beak, Rusty, Shy Guy and the rest of IWC's education animals thank you, too!