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IWC's Executive Director Finalist for Award

The Iowa Wildlife Center is very proud to announce that our Executive Director, Marlene Warren Ehresman, was recently a finalist for the very prestigious 2011 Pioneer Hi-Bred Iowa Women of Innovation Award!    

The Technology Association of Iowa held the annual event on November 18, 2011, honoring women who are leaders in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). The evening was sponsored by Pioneer Hi-Bred, Principal Financial Group, Rockwell Collins and Sage Assurity.  

Marlene was nominated for an award in the Government/Nonprofit Innovation and Leadership category by Erin Rollenhagen Ginkens, creator and president of Entrepreneurial Technologies in West Des Moines. "I thought of Marlene for this award because I've long admired her exceptional work as a wildlife biologist and long-time wildlife rehabilitator," Erin told us. "More recently, I've watched her bring together resources from across Iowa and beyond with courage, skill and determination to help create and direct the new Iowa Wildlife Center. She is a true leader and innovator in the field of rehabilitation."

We couldn't agree more!

High Trestle Hawk Watch Soars to Success!

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The first-ever High Trestle Hawk Watch, presented by the Boone County Conservation Board, Des Moines Y-Camp, Iowa Audubon Society, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and the Iowa Wildlife Center, was unequivocally a splendid success! For a complete report, see our Event Overview page.

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Iowa DNR Provides Guidance and Caution About White-Nose Syndrome & Rehabilitation of Bat Species! 

There aren't many licensed wildlife rehabilitators in Iowa who care for our various bat species, but those who do should take note: White-Nose Syndrome is knocking on Iowa's door!

Daryl Howell, Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) zoologist and environmental specialist, contacted IWC executive director Marlene Ehresman recently and shared his concerns regarding Iowa's bats and their rehabilitation. While very few of Iowa's licensed wildlife rehabilitators rehabilitate bats (Marlene is one of them), these few should know about important changes regarding caring for these mammals. If any bat, especially if it may have come from an area with natural caves, is found during the winter that has questionable symptoms such as tattered wings or white fungus on the nose (see US FIsh and WIldlife site for information on symptoms), immediately contact either Howell (515-281-8524; Daryl.Howell@dnr.iowa.gov) or Ehresman (515-233-1379; marlene@iowawildlifecenter.org) or a local wildlife rehabilitator. 

Wildlife rehabilitators must also now use extra precautions when over-wintering or rehabilitating bats. Tree foliage-roosting bat species, such as the Silver-haired Bat, and cave-roosting bat species, such as the Big Brown Bat, must be kept isolated from each other.  This means home-based rehabilitators must keep these two groups in completely separate houses, while facilities with appropriate ventilation will need to keep them in separate isolation rooms. Additionally, prior to release the bat(s) must be thoroughly examined to ensure that no bat has developed the fungus while in captivity.Upon release, each bat must go back to the area from which they were originally found.

See Creature Feature for more detailed information about White-Nose Syndrome.




Events

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!


Features What To Do if You Find Injured Wildlife Before the Center is Open Musings from the Executive Director W.H.Y. Squirrels? Volunteer Spotlight Creature Feature IWC Development Phases Decorah Eagle Cam! IWC Wish List Event Overview