march-april 2004 big bluesterm flyer big bluestem audubon society
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Big Bluestem Flyer Big Bluestem Flyer
Volume 39, Number 4 March/April 2004
Programs
March 18 Bruce Ehresman, Wildlife Diversity Program
Biologist, Iowa DNR
“Nongame Accomplishments of Iowa’s
Wildlife Diversity Program”Bruce will discuss many of the programs that he has
been involved with during the last 24 years including
barn owls, peregrines, river otters, prairie chickens,trumpeter swans, bald eagles, sandhill cranes, and
pelicans. A number of species once extirpated from the
state are returning to the Iowa landscape, and he will
talk about how we can keep that trend alive.
April 15Gary L Shea, Park Ranger, USFWS
"Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
A 2004 Overview"Gary has been a park ranger for 13 years. He is from
Central Illinois and graduated from Western Illinois
University with a B.S. in Recreation/Parks/Tourism
Administration. He was been stationed in Illinois,Missouri, Washington State and Lake Tahoe, California.
He is now the lead Environmental Education Specialist
at the Neal Smith NWS Prairie learning Center.
Field Trips
March 20 Little Wall and Anderson Lakes and marshes of
northern Story and southern Hamilton Counties
April 17Peterson Pits and McFarland Park
May 8Bird-a-thon See Page 3.
May 15Camp Dodge nature trails. Led by Harlan Ratcliff.
Meet at 8:00 behind the Ames Wild Birds Unlimited or
at the Iowa Audubon HQ at Saylorville Lake at 8:30-
8:45.
May 29Birders’ Brunch. Meet at 8:00 in the upper Ledges
near the campground entrance. We’ll hike down the hill
and have brunch in the lower Ledges. Please bring afood item to share.
Page 2 Officers and CommitteesPresident’s ColumnField Trip report
Page 3 Birdathon Announcement Page 4 Jungbluths Investigate CoffeePage 5 AmeriCorps in Iowa
Photo Exhibit of Ada Hayden Heritage Park
In This Issue
Newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society
Page 6 Saylorville and Boone Bird CountsPage 7 New Members
Membership FormCoupons
Page 8 Chickadee Checkoff and Wildlife Diversity Funding
For details about regular field trips, contact Jeff Nichols
at 515-795-4176 or [email protected].
Unless otherwise indicated, regular field trips leave
promptly at 8:00 am from the public parking lot west of
(behind) the Ames Wild Birds Unlimited (WBU), located
south of the railroad tracks at 213 Duff Ave. Trip
destinations are subject to change based on recent rare
bird sightings and the desires of the participants.
Program meetings are held monthly, September-May on
the third Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm, Room
2226 Veterinary Medicine Building, Iowa State
University, Ames, Iowa.
If you would like to meet and dine with the speaker and
the BBAS Board before the monthly meeting, please
confirm space and location with John Pohlman at
515-232-6816 or [email protected]
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2 Big Bluestem Flyer March/April 2004
Big Bluestem Audubon SocietyOfficers and Committees
OfficersPresident: John Pohlman 232-6816 [email protected] Vice-President: Linda Thomas 292-7534 [email protected] Secretary: Bruce Ehresman 296-2995 [email protected]: Ed Carbrey 292-2404
Board MembersBreanne Marpe, 289-1106 [email protected]
Jeff
:
Nichols 795-4176 [email protected] Brookes Wolfgang Oesterreich 515-232-3285 (h) [email protected] Matt Wetrich 956-4299 [email protected]
The mission of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society is to
enjoy the observation and study of birds and natural
ecosystems, contribute to their conservation and
restoration, engage in educational activities to benefit
humanity, and gain a broader understanding and deeper
appreciation of the world in which we live.
Committee ChairsArchivist: Hank Zaletel 382-427 [email protected] Bird-a-thon Co-chairs: Karl and Carmen Jungbluth, 432-5057
weatherbird.opencominc.com Conservation Chair: Bruce Ehresman 296-2995
[email protected] Education Chair: Amy Yoakum, 232-2516
[email protected] Trip Chair: Jeff Nichols [email protected] Membership Chair: Al Johnson 233-4831 awindj@aol. comProgram Chair: vacant Publicity Chair: Linda Thomas 292-7534
[email protected] Publications & Electronic Media Co-Chairs:
David Edwards 292-3790 [email protected] Joyce Bahrenfus 275-3263 [email protected]
BBAS Web Site: http://www.wyalusing.org/BBAS.htmIowa Bird Sightings Hotline 319-338-9881 Wildlife Care Clinic 515-294-4900
President’s Column
Over the years, the relationship between Big Blue-
stem Audubon Society (BBAS) and National Audubon
Society (NAS) has changed. One of those changes has
eliminated any portion of existing members’ dues from
being sent back to BBAS from NAS. We do still get 100
percent of new members subscription dues. That means
BBAS now has to raise money on its own. This can be
accomplished either through signing up new members or
through other forms of fundraising. Luckily, the con-cerns of fund raising have been well addressed by BBAS
annually sponsoring Birdathon. Karl Jungbluth was
looking ahead to this time, when he initially organized
BBAS’s first Birdathon several years ago. With Karl’s
and Carmen’s continued guidance, it has become the an-
nual event that many of us participate in, raising over
$5000 in 2002 and over $4000 in 2003. It is our primary
means of fund raising.
Why do we need to do fund raising? Let me remind
you of just some of the things that BBAS has invested in
or been involved with in recent years. BBAS produces
five newsletters annually. We have been providing schol-
arship money to some fifth and sixth graders to attend
the Young Naturalist’s Camp at the Y Camp in Boone
for a few years now. BBAS has been providing Audubon
Adventures to numerous classrooms for many years. We
have bought binoculars for the Boone County naturalist
to use when she teaches area elementary students about
birds. We have invested money in Iowa’s Important Bird
Areas Program, and, to habitat areas like Colo Ponds,
Kellerton Prairie Area, and Mortensen Mounds. BBAS
just recently contributed to Iowa State University’s
Wildlife Care Clinic in an effort to build a larger aviary
rehab facility, and to Osprey reintroduction programs at
Saylorville and Don Williams Lake. And the list goes on
and on. With these kind of worthwhile programs, it iseasy to see how the funds can be invested quickly.
These are the types of activities that BBAS has been,
and will continue to be involved with and to help fund.
This year we hope to raise $5000. So when you are re-
viewing the Birdathon registration elsewhere in thisnewsletter, try to keep those great activities in mind.
That way when you are asking your friends and rela-
tives to be Birdathon participants or sponsors, you canexplain what Big Bluestem Audubon Society is all about.
And don’t forget, Birdathon is always fun.With all of that being said, anyone who might be in-
terested in serving on the Board of Directors of BBAS,
please contact the Nominations Committee Chair, Linda
Thomas or Committee Member, Breanne Marpe.
And last but not least, please remember the Chicka-
dee Check-Off when you do your State of Iowa taxes.John Pohlman
Field trip report, Winter Potpourri, 24 January 2004
Nine people turned out for a great day of birding (24
species) and camaraderie in very cold but sunny
weather. Our first stop was Mabaska, where we viewed
Canada Geese, Mallards, and a lone American Coot. A
stop at Jeff and Mary’s house didn’t produce the ex-
pected Common Redpoll, but most trip participants fi-nally got to see this little bird on subsequent visits. The
obvious highlight of the trip was close-up looks at two
Northern Saw-whet Owls at Ledges, where we also
found many Red-headed Woodpeckers. After a quick
roadside stop to marvel at a HUGE cottonwood tree, we
headed for Fraser to look for Bald Eagles. We saw a few
eagles en route and one at the dam. We finished the day
at Joyce and Jon Bahrenfus’s home, where we weretreated to a delicious chili lunch. Thanks, Joyce and Jon,
for the great food and your hospitality! Jeff Nichols
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Art by Kirsten Munsen
Pledges Support These
Worthy Causes
•
Iowa’s Important Bird Areas–Identify, monitor and conserveplaces essential to birds
• Audubon Adventures educationalmaterials for local schools
• Osprey Introduction Project atDon Williams Lake
• Scholarships for the Young Naturalists Workshop at theBoone Y-Camp
• $1000 toward the purchase of landwithin Union Hills Bird ConservationArea (BCA)
• A donation to “Saving Our AvianResources” rehabilitation andenvironmental education program
• All money stays in Iowa and is tax-deductible as allowed by law
B i r d a t h o n !
The annual Birdathon is Big Bluestem Audubon’s main fundraising event. It’s like a walkathon, except we
count birds to raise funds for birds.
Even if you can’t tell a Bittern from a Bobolink, you can learn. It’s all for a worthy cause. Birdathoners spend
all day, or just a few hours. Try it!
Birdathon! TM is a Trademark of the National Audubon Society
H o w D o e s i t W o r k ?
1. Audubon Bi rdathon is a nat ional team event .
2 . B i rders co l lect p ledges f rom donors to supportAudubon ef for ts . Ask re lat ives , f r iends, neighbors,co - w o r ker s t o p l ed g e a f i xed amo u n t o f $10 , 20 , o r $50 , o r ask t h em t o p l ed g e an amo u n t p er sp ec i esi d en t i f i ed . We u su a l l y see 50 t o 100+ sp ec i es .
3 . S ign up by contact ing the B i rdathonCoord inators.
4 . Pr izes and incent ives : Non-members whopledge $20 or more get a compl imentary Audubonmembersh ip . Everyone is e l ig ib le to win pr izes–
b i r d f eed er s , b i r d b o o ks , T - sh i r t s , b i n o cu l a r s–good stu f f f rom local businesses and nat ionalsponsors.
5 . On May 8th , head to your favor i te b i rd ing spot .C o u n t as man y sp ec i es as yo u can . H ave f u n !
We need ALL chapter members to
support this effort!
• Collect at least $20 in pledges, and join us on
May 10th. Use the form on the reverse side.
• If you can’t join the Birdathon, support us by
sponsoring the chapter effort. Send your
donation, payable to Big Bluestem Audubon
to Ed Carbrey, Treasurer, 3313 Morningside
St, Ames, IA 50014
• Thank You!
L O O K I N G T O J O I N U P
W I T H O T H E R S O R F O R M AT E A M ? C O N T A C TB I R D A T H O NC O O R D I N A T O R S , K A R L &C A R M E N J U N G B L U T H ,5 1 5 - 4 3 2 - 5 0 5 7
May 8,
2004
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March/April 20044 Big Bluestem Flyer
Newsletter Material DeadlineBecause we would like to have the newsletter to each member before the first day of its coverage, the editor
needs to have material at least two weeks before that.
Hence the deadlines for the future will be the fifteenth of April.
Millions drink coffee everyday. Yet, for most of the
people who grow coffee, their livelihood is as fragile as
the beautiful, bird friendly habitats that they protect.
Why?
Carmen and I found out on a trip to Central America
in early February. Our visit included a home stay with a
coffee farming family in Nicaragua, visits to coffee coop-
eratives, and discussions with experts on local cultureand global economics. The people of Nicaragua welcomed
us, but many of the birds stayed hidden in the lush
green foliage!
Our travels took us from the Pacific lowlands, dotted
with smoking volcanoes, up to coffee country, near
Matagalpa. Coffee was dried in the sun, and sacks of
coffee were piled high at processing plants. The land-
scape turned greener and the roads turned rough.
The goal of our trip was to learn about fair trade. Fair
trade ensures that farmers can sell their coffee at a price
that guarantees them a living wage. The movement also
promotes good business, access to credit, and protects
tropical environments. Even with the benefit of a fairtrade price, our host family lived in a mud brick and
rough wood house, without electricity or running water.
Cooking was done over a wood fire, and laundry and
bathing were done in the creek. We were glad that they
were organic farmers, protecting their water supply!
Other people in Nicaragua are not as lucky. Workers
on coffee plantations earn barely 2 dollars a day, andhave no work for much of the year. They struggle to buy
food. Many of the coffee plantations have abandoned the
traditional shade grown methods, moving toward the
use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to grow coffee
in the sun. The people and the environment suffer.
Coffee production requires an amazing amount of
handwork, every step of the way. The “shade grown” and
“organic” small farmers use composting and other inno-
vative practices to keep their coffee plants healthy. The
beans are picked, sorted, de-pulped, dried and reselectedby hand. Only the finest beans are exported as “fair
trade” coffee.
As a bird watcher and environmental activist, I’ve
wondered, “Which coffee should we buy?” Shade-grown,
organic, bird-friendly, fair trade or the cheapest on sale?
After our experiences, the answer is hands down, FAIR
TRADE. With fair trade, the small coffee farmers are
getting a bigger percentage of your coffee dollar. This
keeps them on their land, where they can grow their
own food and stay out of deep poverty. These fair trade
small farmers use shade grown, bird-friendly methods.
Many are farming organically, even if they are not certi-
fied organic. Plus, their cooperatives are putting 5-10%
of your coffee dollar back into the community.
In short, fair trade coffee IS shade grown, bird-
friendly and, usually organic - a real gourmet “cup of
justice.” [Two lines of Fair-trade coffee can be purchased
at Wheatsfield Grocery at 413 Douglas, Ames - ed.]If you would like to learn more about coffee in Nicaragua or
fair trade, Carmen and I would be happy to talk to churches or
other groups. Just give us a call at 515-432-5057, or email [email protected]. Karl Jungbluth
What Goes Into Your Cup of Coffee? Jungbluths Investigate
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5March/April 2004 Big Bluestem Flyer
Catch a Fire with AmeriCorps in IowaThe land between two rivers needs your help! Iowa has become the most biologically altered State in the Union.
Once covered predominantly in tallgrass prairie as far as the eye could see, now less than one tenth of one percent
of this original land cover remains. The prairie has been plowed, wetlands have been drained, and old-growth for-
ests cut, replaced by a gridwork of monocultures and highways – an orderly human landscape of parallel lines andright angles. As a member in Keepers of the Land /AmeriCorps, you will be working to protect those last pockets of
wildness that remain in Iowa.
If you are passionate about protecting the environment and eager to serve your country, Keepers of the Land /
AmeriCorps wants you. While playing an important role in preserving our natural heritage, you gain useful skills,
meet others who share your commitment to the environment, and develop the confidence and pride that comes
from working hard and getting things done.
So what can you get done with AmeriCorps?? This summer, AmeriCorps’ Ecosystem Management Team needs
seasonal members ready to rough it for a few months, eager to get their hands dirty for the sake of Iowa’s natural
areas. As a member of the Ecosystem Management Team, you will reap the reward of actually witnessing the fruits
of your labor whether you are helping repair an eroded trail or restoring a native prairie. You will be working be-
side individuals who share your commitment to the environment and living amidst Iowa’s most scenic treasures.
This is truly your alternative to the typical summer job. Come and join the team!
Pursue your passion. Protect the land. Catch a fire with AmeriCorps!
For more details on Keepers of the Land / AmeriCorps, visit our site at:
http://www.iowadnr.com/volunteer/americorps/index.html
For information about our nation’s “domestic Peace Corps,” visit:
http://www.americorps.org/
View the photo exhibit and find out “Who Lives in Ada Hayden Heritage Park?”
Monday, April 5, 2004, 7:00 PM Story County Conservation Center, McFarland Park Join Ames Photographer and BBAS member Janet Jepeway for a program and reception in the first public hours
of her photo exhibit, “Ada Hayden Heritage Park: Water, Fish, Flora and Fauna” on Monday, April 5, 2004, 7:00
PM at the Story County Conservation Center, McFarland Park, 56461 180th
St., Ames, Iowa. Since the City of Ames took ownership of Hallett’s Quarry over two years ago, Janet has taken 1,500 pictures
and slides, and spent 300 hours at the site for the purpose of creating an historical record of its restoration and
transition into Ada Hayden Heritage Park. She has taken photos at the new park every month of the year and dur-
ing all types of weather.
“Ada Hayden Heritage Park: Water, Fish, Flora and Fauna” is an interactive exhibit that allows children and
adults of all ages to “play detective” by looking at clues in the pictures to find “Who lives in Ada Hayden Heritage
Park?” All photographs in the exhibit are for sale. Profits after expenses will be donated to the restoration of the
former quarry as a park and backup water supply for the City of Ames. Prints purchased will be signed and dated
by the photographer.
Co-sponsors of the program series are Story County Conservation Partners and Ames Historical Society
(founded as Ames Heritage Association in 1980).
Funding Sponsors of the exhibit are: Outdoor Lighting Associates Inc., Royce J. Bitzer, and Wild Birds
UnlimitedJanet has arranged a series of three programs to accompany her photo exhibit.
Monday, April 5, 7:00 PM , “Flora and Fauna of Ada Hayden Heritage Park”
by Steve Lekwa, Director, Story County Conservation
Thursday, April 29, 7:00 PM “Fish and Fishing at Ada Hayden Heritage Park
by Ted Tedesco, Veteran Angler and Mayor, City of Ames
Sunday, May 16, 1:30 – 4:00 PM “Butterflies and Dragonflies of Ada Hayden Heritage Park”
by Royce J. Bitzer, Department of Entomology, Iowa State University
Photo Exhibit Of Ada Hayden Heritage Park: Water, Fish, Flora & Fauna
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6 March/April 2004Big Bluestem Flyer
Saylorville 2003 (Updated) and Boone 2004 Christmas Bird Counts
Saylorville Boone Saylorville BooneAmerican White Pelican 3 American Crow 806 1540Snow Goose 1 Horned Lark 3 6
Canada Goose 369 106 Black-capped Chickadee 278 365Mallard 27 40 Tufted Titmouse 26 64Ring-necked Duck 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch 9 4
Greater Scaup 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 107 163
Lesser Scaup-11 Brown Creeper 2 7Common Goldeneye 185 Carolina Wren 1 1Common Merganser 445 Winter Wren 1 CWRed-breasted Merganser 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet 7 2Bald Eagle 11 80 Eastern Bluebird 44 5Northern Harrier 2 Hermit Thrush 4
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4 1 American Robin 469 25Cooper's Hawk 4 2 European Starling 8165 1655Red-tailed Hawk 63 58 Cedar Waxwing 279 295Rough-legged Hawk 6 2 Yellow-rumped Warbler 6 5American Kestrel 17 13 American Tree Sparrow 347 81
Merlin CW Field Sparrow 1Ring-necked Pheasant 144 11 Song Sparrow 32 2Wild Turkey 11 57 Swamp Sparrow 4Bonaparte's Gull 1 White-throated Sparrow 93 5Ring-billed Gull 7 Harris's Sparrow 2 4
Herring Gull 16 White-crowned Sparrow 1Rock Pigeon 1078 194 Dark-eyed Junco 545 685Mourning Dove 213 21 Lapland Longspur 25Eurasian Collared-dove 1 Northern Cardinal 444 188Eastern Screech-Owl 19 13 Red-winged Blackbird 714 150Great Horned Owl 25 9 meadowlark sp. 121 CW
Barred Owl 7 4 Rusty Blackbird 3Long-eared Owl 1 Brewer's Blackbird 1Northern Saw-whet Owl 2 Common Grackle 2 38Belted Kingfisher 2 7 Brown-headed Cowbird 63
Red-headed Woodpecker 10 54 Purple Finch 42 72Red-bellied Woodpecker 136 139 House Finch 91 61Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 3 American Goldfinch 191 282Downy Woodpecker 163 165 House Sparrow 1444 1095Hairy Woodpecker 29 63Northern Flicker 61 35 Species 72 54
Pileated Woodpecker 3 Total Birds 17764 8086Northern Shrike 1 2 Observers 27
Blue Jay 315 198
Boone County Bird Count Friends, Thanks so much for all your help in making the 18th Boone County CBC a
success. While we may have been a bit "understaffed," we still tallied 54 species and over 8000 birds on January
3rd and located three additional species during count week. Don't forget -- next year's count will be held on Satur-
day, 1 January 2005. Have a great year!Mark Widrlechner, Compiler
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Big Bluestem Flyer March/April 2004 7
Present the coupons below at the time of your purchase and a donation will be given to BBAS.Donations will fund the various habitat restoration and educational projects undertaken by BBAS.
Brekke s Town & Country Store, Inc.
1 1/2 miles east of I-35 on new U.S. 30 and 1/4 mile north
Hours: 8-6 M-F, 8-4 Sat. (515) 232-7906
Purchase Donation
Up tp $15 $1.50$15 and over $3.00$35 and over $5.00Over $70 $7.50
Brekke’s offers Big Bluestem Audubon Society a donationwhen bird seed or other bird products are purchased.Present this coupon with your purchase and a donation will begiven to BBAS.
Offer good until April 30, 2004
Membership Application forms
Clip and JoinDon’t forget gift memberships!
New member of the National Audubon Society. You will
receive the Audubon magazine, the Big Bluestem Flyer ,membership card. — $20Please make your check payable to National Audubon
Society and include “Chapter Code H-57” on the check
Subscribe to the Big Bluestem Flyer for one year and participate in some Big Bluestem Society Activities — $10Restrictions are that you will not be a National Audubon Societymember or have voting privileges, and you cannot be an officer or committee chair. Please make your check payable to Big Bluestem
Audubon Society.
Send your check and this coupon toAl Johnson, Membership Chair 3912 Squaw Road, Ames, IA 50014
Name _______________________________________________Address _____________________________________________ City_____________________ State____ ZIP_______________ Phone ________________ E-mail _______________________ Please do not use this form for renewals to the National Audubon Soc.
OR
Donate 10%of Your NextPurchase to
Big Bluestem Audubon Society
BIRDSEED • FEEDERS • BIRDBATHS • OPTICS • NATURE GIFTS
213 Duff Ave. Ames, IA 50010 (515) 956-3145Mon-Wed 9:30-5:30 Thurs 9:30-8Fri 9:30-5:30 Sat 9-5 Sun 12-4
Coupon must be presented at time of purchaseMay not be combined with any other offer Not valid on specially-priced merchandise
Offer Expires: 4/30/2004
Linda Adams
Doris Batcheller
Liz Beck
Deborah Blaedel
Martha Bloom
M. L. Carman
Pearle Elder
Sara EricksonLouise Henderson
Sylvia La Port
Doris Lott
Coleen Nutty
Rosemary Osheim
Evelyn Ostrander Schnable
Kate-Shane Patterson
Hazel Purviance
Nathan Peters
R. L. Saunders
James Savage
John Smith
Wayne Spear Valerie Stallbaumer
Joan Stauduhar
J. P. Sullivan
David Wilder
Richard Van Zwol
New Members
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I f y o u h a v e a n “ X ” a f t e r y o u r n a m e o n y o u r m a i l i n g l a b e l , t h i s w i l l b e y o u r l a s t i s s u e o f t h e F l y e r u n l e s s y o u r e n e w .
N o n - P r o f i t O r g . U . S . P o s t a g e P a i d
P e r m i t N o . 1 3 1 A m e s , I o w a
B i g B l u e s t e m F l y e r D a v i d C . E d w a r d s , E d i t o r B i g B l u e s t e m A u d u b o n S o c i e t y 2 3 0 8 S t a t e A v e A m e s , I A 5 0 0 1 4
Printed on Recycled paper
W e w e l c o m e n e w m e m b e r s !
March/April 2004 Vol 39 No. 4
Chickadee Checkoff and Wildlife Diversity Funding
Iowa’s Bird Conservation Area Program, Audubon’s
Important Bird Area Program, Osprey Reintroduction,
Trumpeter Swan Reintroduction, Prairie Chicken Rein-
troduction, Peregrine Falcon Reintroduction, Barn Owl
Restoration, Bald Eagle Restoration, Otter Restoration,
American Kestrel Nest Box Program, Frog/Toad and
Rookery Surveys, and Bluebird Recovery Program. What
do all of these programs have in common? They all areprograms either assisted or initiated by the Iowa DNR’s
Wildlife Diversity Program. But because of low funding
to this program, and because of severe budget cuts now
in effect, the Wildlife Diversity Program is suffering.
This means that much less can be done to benefit Iowa’s
nongame wildlife until funding increases.
In the past, the Wildlife Diversity Program received
all of its funding from donations to the “Chickadee
Checkoff ” (Fish and Wildlife Protection Fund) on Iowa’s
Income Tax 1040 Forms. But Chickadee Checkoff re-
ceipts have averaged only about $135,000 in recent
years. That’s less than half of what it takes to keep the
program running, making it necessary to supplementthe Wildlife Diversity Program with some DNR Fish and
Wildlife Trust Fund revenues. Because the Fish and
Wildlife Trust Fund is also severely low, you can see
why it is so important for those who care about wildlife
to remember to contribute to the Chickadee Checkoff
Fund this year. Story County residents, in particu-
lar, have been very supportive of nongame wildlife
funding in the past, and the Wildlife Diversity Program
staff hope that you will be generous again during this
tax season.
Another way to help is by purchasing the Nongame
Support Certificate, produced annually, each featuring aphotograph of a bird, mammal, reptile, amphibian, or
butterfly. DNR staff originally provided the photos, but
in recent years the series has featured photos by some of
Iowa’s best independent nature photographers. This
year’s certificate is a photo taken by local photographer,
Roger Hill, a wonderful picture of a strutting male
Sharp-tailed Grouse. Prints are limited to 1,000 num-
bered editions annually and sell for $5 each. They may
be purchased from the DNR License Bureau, Wallace
State Office Bldg., Des Moines, IA 50039.
We have already made significant headway with pro-
grams for nongame wildlife, particularly for birds. This
would not be possible without the generous support of groups like Big Bluestem Audubon Society, and we very
much appreciate that support! For More Information
Contact: Wildlife Diversity Program, 515-432-2823, or-
[email protected]. Bruce Ehresman