Author: Winneshiek County Conservation Board

Bats are a crucial part of ecosystems all over the world, including here in Winneshiek County. We have nine different native species of bats in Iowa. Several of those are threatened, including the Indiana Bat, the Little Brown Bat, and the Eastern Red Bat. It is vital that we protect them and their habitat. Bats are major pollinators and help disperse plant seeds. They also feast on pesky insects like mosquitoes and gnats. While these unique winged mammals are important and often helpful to humans, sometimes they can be pests themselves.

 

Bats are often attracted to buildings and homes because it provides them with stable temperatures, an escape from predators, and a safe place to raise their young. While your attic seems like the perfect spot to live from a bat’s perspective, we often don’t see eye-to-eye.

 

It is key to check your property for bats and take preventative measures in the late summer/early fall to ensure no bats are roosting. Bats tend to hide in attics, crawl spaces and closets, barns and outbuildings, garages, and other small holes and crevices. If you do find bats on your property, it is important to relocate them and bat proof sooner rather than later. Bats hibernate in the winter and look for places to roost in the fall as it starts to cool down. Bat removal in the winter often kills the bats because they are sensitive to cold temperatures. The other option is to be stuck with a bat in your home all winter long!

 

Bat removal can and should be done humanely. Many bat species are federally protected so harming or killing the animal can lead to hefty fines. If you or someone in your home has been or suspects they have been bitten by a bat, it is extremely important to seek medical attention right away. Bats are wild animals and, although unlikely, can carry diseases such as rabies. As long as you take the proper precautions, bat removal should be simple and safe.

 

There are professionals who can safely remove and relocate bats from your property. Research online in your area to find a bat-removal service that is right for you and your budget. Professional bat removers or rehabilitators are a great option for removing bats from your home, especially if there is a colony.

 

The best way to prevent bats from entering your home is by keeping windows and doors sealed and screened, making sure all buildings are in good repair without structural voids, capping chimneys, and keeping entrances to attics and crawl spaces sealed. Bats can fit through crevices and holes as small as a half inch wide! You can fill gaps with weather stripping, insulation materials, duct tape, caulk, steel wool, screening, and more.

 

Another way to prevent unwanted entry is by giving the bats a home of their own! Bat houses are similar in concept to bird houses. They provide warmth and shelter to roosting bats and are great to install in residential areas. Organizations such as Bat Conservation International have designed and tested hundreds of different models of bat houses in order to create the perfect environment for bats to roost. When purchasing a bat house, it is important that you look for vendors who have the Bat Approved Certification to ensure that the bat house is the proper habitat.

 

Bat houses must be installed properly in order for them to attract bats. Install them on wooden and pivot posts, steel poles, and hanging from buildings. It’s important to note that you should not install bat houses in or under trees. Tree branches can obstruct bats from dropping into flight and bats living in trees are more susceptible to predators. Bats enjoy roosting in warm areas so make sure your bat house is installed somewhere that gets plenty of sun. Bat houses should be placed east or south facing at 10-20 feet above the ground in order for bats to find them. Keep bat houses away from busy roads, electric wires, artificial lights, and thick vegetation. For more information about bat house installation or how to build them yourself, visit Iowa’s Department of Natural Resources website at https://www.iowadnr.gov/About-DNR/DNR-News-Releases/ArticleID/2140/Help-a-Bat-Build-a-Bat-House and Bat Conservation International’s website https://www.batcon.org/about-bats/bat-gardens-houses/.

Winneshiek County Conservation hosted Cassidy Frana, South Winneshiek Middle School Math Teacher, through the Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program this summer. The STEM Teacher Externships program aims to help teachers answer that age-old question, “When will I ever use this?”

 

During the summer, STEM educators work side-by-side with knowledgeable and skilled industry employees who help bring the classroom curriculum to life. STEM Teacher Externships provide educators with the exposure to answer questions about real-world application, prepare students for careers they may have in the future, and improve educational experiences.

 

In her time with Winneshiek County Conservation, Cassidy taught lessons at summer Discovery Camps on shelter building, predators & prey, camouflage, orienteering, geocaching, and sensory exploration. She shared her experiences with the public in the Winneshiek County Conservation booth at the Winneshiek County Fair in July. Cassidy’s experience included teaching multiple grade levels (1st-9th) at summer camps and developing ideas to further incorporate the outdoors, nature, and the real world into her math classroom. Her contributions extend the list of free lessons available to schools and other groups through the Winneshiek County Conservation Environmental Education Program.

 

Heading into the 2024-2025 school year, Cassidy will bring her summer experiences back to the classroom with a fun and engaging unit that ties together middle school math standards and navigating in the outdoors with compasses. For local educators like Cassidy who are looking to provide their students with real-world career information and connections, participating in the STEM Teacher Externships program with Winneshiek County Conservation is a summer well spent!

 

Learn more about the program at https://educate.iowa.gov/pk-12/iowa-stem/stem-teacher-externships. Any teachers interested in working with Winneshiek County Conservation in the summer of 2025 are invited to email education@winneshiekwild.com for more information.

Outdoor Adventures Made Easy in Winneshiek County!

Reflecting on the cherished moments of my childhood, I often find myself reminiscing about the adventures shared with my siblings exploring the wonders of the wild in our backyard. From the creek to the timber, each corner held the promise of discovery. Yet, in today’s age, we witness a generation ensnared by screens, losing touch with the allure of nature. Even in my own parenting, I see how it is easy to be short-sighted and get caught up in the fast pace our society calls normal. And at that, I would like to put my dirt-covered foot down.

 

My journey has been woven with adventures in breathtaking locations found right here in the Midwest. A pivotal chapter unfolded during my time as a naturalist in Louisa County, where countless outdoor opportunities intersected with rich stories of the past. It was here that my passion for exploration was kindled, whether paddling the Upper Iowa River or venturing into the depths of Maquoketa Caves, momentarily questioning if I was still in Iowa. Years later, drawing from my environmental education background and a desire to reconnect families with nature, Outdoor Adventures Made Easy was born.

 

As time has passed, I have come to understand that the largest hurdle to families spending time outside is simply getting them there. It may seem obvious, but the distractions of modern life often overshadow the call of the wild. That’s why we’ve launched our new website, designed to equip adventurers of all ages with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the great outdoors effortlessly.

 

Our website features an interactive map with pin locations for trip ideas and articles written about each location. These articles address all the questions you may have as you plan, prepare for, and embark on your outdoor adventure. From identifying where to go and where to park to offering insights on what to expect and what to pack, we’ve got you covered.

 

And don’t forget to stay connected with us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for even more outdoor inspiration and tips. For more information on your next adventure, head to our website at www.OutdoorAdventuresMadeEasy.com.

Over 700 people attended the 2024 Earth Day Festival on April 20th at the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds! The annual Earth Day Festival is a free open-house event organized by Winneshiek County Conservation, Winneshiek Energy District, Winneshiek County ISU Extension & Outreach, the Oneota Food Co-op, Luther College Environmental Studies, and other community organizations with support from the Winneshiek County Sanitary Landfill and Winneshiek County Recycling Center.

Festival-goers enjoyed free snacks and coffee thanks to the Oneota Food Co-op, Winneshiek Energy District, Impact Coffee, and Euphoria Coffee. Highlights of the event included showings of ten different electric vehicle models, hands-on insect exploration with the Iowa State University Insect Zoo, planetarium presentations from Keystone Area Education Agency, and free tree sapling giveaways sponsored by the Winneshiek Energy District. Additionally, several organizations, including Seed Savers Exchange, Winneshiek County Master Gardeners, and Decorah Parks & Recreation handed out free seeds.

Presentations were given throughout the event. Winneshiek County Conservation Naturalist Larry Reis presented “Bringing Birds & Pollinators to Your Backyard” and festival-goers could stop by the Winneshiek County Conservation tables to learn more about supporting wildlife and getting outdoors this summer. Dave Kester with the Raptor Resource Project presented Astrid, the live gyrfalcon. Paul Cutting with the Winneshiek Energy District discussed “Solar 101” and Luther College Professor Birgitta Meade shared “Understanding the Decorah Impact Crater.”

Participants also tried earth-related activities with Luther College Environmental Studies students, ArtHaus, the Decorah High School Envirothon teams, Red Oak Outdoor School, Upper Iowa Audubon, Winneshiek County Conservation, Winneshiek County Farm Bureau, and Winneshiek County ISU Extension & Outreach.

Informational tables were hosted by the City of Decorah Forester, the Decorah Community Food Pantry, the Depot Outlet, Decorah Public Library, Farmers Land Investment Cooperative, the Decorah Farmers Market, HAWC Partnerships for Children, Helping Services, NICC Green Iowa AmeriCorps, Northeast Iowa Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Care for Creation Network, the NE Iowa Peace & Justice Center, Trout Unlimited Driftless Chapter, ReRooted Connections, and Sweet Season Farm & Humble Hands Harvest Collaborative CSA.

The goal of the Earth Day Festival is to bring together our community to find sustainable ways to care for our natural resources, reduce pressure on our landfill, and contribute to the health of Winneshiek County. Learn more about event hosts: Winneshiek County Conservation at www.winneshiekwild.com and Winneshiek County Waste Reduction at www.winneshiekwaste.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jennifer Kurth, DNR, at 515-639-8464 or Jennifer.Kurth@dnr.iowa.gov

CALMAR – Lake Meyer, a popular area for boating and fishing in Winneshiek  County, has a cleaner and clearer future thanks to a community-led effort.

The northeast Iowa lake had been placed on Iowa’s impaired waters list in 1998 due to declines in water quality from sediment runoff and increased phosphorus levels. These were affecting both the aesthetic conditions in the lake as well as impacting fish and other aquatic life through decreased visibility due to algae blooms and cloudy water.

“Sometimes the water would be really green and murky, it looked kind of like pea soup,” says Barb Schroeder, executive director of the Winneshiek County Conservation Board.

In 2013, farmers, landowners and government agencies joined together to launch the Lake Meyer Watershed Project, aiming to reduce sediment and nutrients reaching the lake by strategically placing conservation practices on the land and increasing the culture of conservation in the community.

A rock chute wetland added at the inlet of Lake Meyer helps filter runoff, and an additional grade stabilization structure upslope of the wetland area works to reduce sediment runoff from adjacent cropland areas. In addition, partners removed more than 700 dump truck loads of sediment from the lake bottom during wetland construction.

Landowners around the area installed 66 acres of filter strips, 5 manure storage systems, over 35,000 feet of terraces, 8 grade stabilization structures, 5 sediment and water control structures, over 4,000 feet of grassed waterways, 3 bio-swales, and 4 wetlands. These combined efforts prevented more than 3,300 tons of sediment and more than 2.15 tons of phosphorous from reaching the lake every year.

“The credit for the success really needs to go to the farmers who implemented conservation practices in the Lake Meyer watershed,” says Schroeder. “Thanks to them and the cooperative efforts of local and state agencies, we have clear water with great fishing. With those improvements, lake use has increased, adding to the local economy.”

DNR Fisheries staff also installed fish habitat structures, such as gravel spawning beds, fish cribs, and tree/brush piles, at various depths and locations in the lake. These structures can offer fish critical shelter during hot summer months, and structures placed in the deepest areas can provide excellent cover for winter panfish.

The watershed project has led to improved biological monitoring scores in the lake, showing increased water clarity and better habitat conditions for the lake’s fish and other aquatic species. The lake was removed from the impaired waters list in 2020.

“This really is a success story about how it takes an entire community to make things happen,” says Jennifer Kurth, DNR aquatic biologist.

The Lake Meyer Watershed Project was funded and supported by the Iowa DNR, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and local landowners and farmers. Other partners include the Winneshiek County Conservation Board, the Winneshiek Soil and Water Conservation District, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

To learn more about the Lake Meyer success story, go to:

https://www.epa.gov/nps/success-stories-addressing-sediment-and-nutrient-sources-restores-Lake-Meyer

You can also find more Iowa success stories on the EPA’s website at:

https://www.epa.gov/nps/success-stories-about-restoring-water-bodies-impaired-nonpoint-source-pollution#ia and clicking on the Iowa map.

Thanks to the work of Winneshiek County Conservation staff and supporters, Winneshiek County was designated a Bird Friendly Community by Bird Friendly Iowa in 2020 through a competitive application process. Communities that have earned this designation demonstrate a strong commitment to preserving and expanding bird habitat and to encouraging citizens to engage in birding, bird conservation, and related outdoor recreation activities.

Winneshiek County Conservation recently applied to recertify our community for Bird Friendly Iowa and received extraordinarily positive feedback from the Bird Friendly Iowa steering committee. To qualify for designation as a Bird Friendly Community, applicants have to meet a minimum number of criteria in several categories. Winneshiek County has exceeded these requirements in several categories! Most notably, Winneshiek County meets more than double the number of criteria needed to attain the High Flyer Status, which is the highest honor a Bird Friendly Community can earn.

From watching the Decorah Eagles livestream to building birdhouses for eastern bluebirds, Winneshiek County residents have proven their dedication to conserving and learning about bird habitat in northeast Iowa. Winneshiek County Conservation manages over 20 county natural areas, including many areas that are fantastic bird habitat from woodlands to marshes to prairies. Over 295 species of birds live in Winneshiek County, so this diversity of wildlife areas is essential to healthy ecosystems. As a community, we will continue to lead the flock in caring for our avian neighbors. You can learn more about Bird Friendly Iowa at https://www.birdcity.org/iowa.

We are proud of the hard work our staff and all Winneshiek County residents have put in to make our county an outstanding place for bird habitat and conservation. If you’d like to learn more about birding in Winneshiek County, check out https://www.winneshiekwild.com/thing-to-do/birding. Winneshiek County Conservation also has several birding hikes coming up at https://www.winneshiekwild.com/upcoming-events.

Thanks to grant funds, Winneshiek County residents now have the opportunity to bring home a free home composter (pictured above) after attending a compost training put on by Winneshiek County Conservation’s Recycling & Waste Reduction Educator, Evan Neubauer. While home composters are only available for free to Winneshiek County residents while supplies last, non-residents are also welcome to order a composter for $55. The order form and more information about compost trainings can be found at https://www.winneshiekwaste.com/compost.

The goal of the Winneshiek County Composting Program is to promote backyard composting and to help our community reduce pressure on our landfill to extend its usage for as long as possible. The Winneshiek County Sanitary Landfill serves Winneshiek, Howard, and Clayton counties and the municipality of Postville. Organic matter in the landfill, such as food waste and yard clippings, breaks down, creating methane gas that can pose a hazard unless vented properly. With collaborative efforts of all households in our communities, we can minimize the amount of food waste, yard clippings, and other organic matter that enter the landfill. Instead, this organic matter can be converted to compost and added to gardens and lawns to create rich, healthy soil.

Winneshiek County Conservation offers educational programs on composting, recycling, waste reduction, and more to local schools, community groups, and civic organizations. If you are interested in scheduling a program to learn more, visit https://www.winneshiekwaste.com/programs-and-tours#.

Want to see a home composter for yourself? Currently, there is one on display at the Decorah Public Library and at Decorah City Hall. There will also be a home composter available for viewing at the Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 20th at the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds.

 

Winneshiek County Conservation celebrated a successful event as over 600 people turned out for the Campground Trunk or Treat on Saturday, Oct. 14th, 2023, at Lake Meyer Park & Campground!

We would like to especially thank the volunteers who made this event possible! In addition to our amazing volunteers, the Calmar, Spillville, and Fort Atkinson librarians handed out free books. Participants also received free goodies from the Winneshiek County Sheriff K9 units, Calmar Fire Department, Calmar Gundersen Lutheran Clinic, Winneshiek County ISU Extension Office, Winneshiek County Recycling, Winneshiek County Farm Bureau, and local agriculture royalty.

The next large public event for Lake Meyer is the annual Ice Fishing Derby on Sunday, February 4th, 2024. Anglers of any skill level are welcome to attend. The event will be a great opportunity to learn more about ice fishing. Learn more at the event page, Lake Meyer Ice Fishing Derby.

All are welcome to join our email list to receive updates on upcoming public events. Sign up here: Events

This week, Winneshiek County Conservation will be using the Iowa Data Bike to collect and record trail conditions on the county’s bike trails.  The Data Bike is an electric bike equipped with sensors to read and record pavement roughness, cracks, bumps, and much more.  In addition, the project will record trail conditions with photos using a GoPro Hero5 camera and capture Google Street View images using a GoPro Max 360 camera. This information will be used to create targeted maintenance strategies and to secure grant funding for trail maintenance and repairs.

 

Local resident, Ray Torresdal, has volunteered to operate the Data Bike, riding more than 30 miles of the Prairie Farmer Recreational Trail, Trout Run Trail, and Freeport Trail in both directions.  Ray is an avid cyclist who volunteers on the Trails of Winneshiek 28E Committee and served ten years as the Winneshiek County Conservation Board Chair during the construction and paving of these trails. Ray reminds all of us of the importance of the trails, saying “One of the less recognized benefits of our trail system is the improved quality of life it affords our community as people utilize the trails, parks, and recreation areas for both their physical and mental health and well-being.”

 

Give Ray a wave if you see him on the trails and then allow him some space to ensure he can collect accurate data!

 

If you would like to learn more about the Iowa Data Bike, visit https://dmampo.org/data-bike/. To learn more about our county trail system and to find trail maps, visit https://www.winneshiekwild.com/park-trail

 

For more information, visit www.winneshiekwild.com or call (563) 534-7145.