Date: 6/5/25 1:38 pm
From: 'Chris Caster' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...>
Subject: RE: [ia-bird] Bird habitat destruction in the name Invasive species removal for Prairie and Oak Savannahs.
I am responding to this message to encourage listserv members to get
involved locally. I do think we have a role to play. I have many times
seen brush hogged places and wondered "why?" I haven't done anything with
that though. I think if I saw it happening I should stop to inquire what
the workers are up to. They might have a good explanation. I am not
knowledgeable enough to comment on the appropriateness of their methods, but
I am curious. I am concerned that the DNR is underfunded and managers
could feel forced to prioritize efficiency in their methods. I don't
believe that the DNR is an evil organization. I do believe that they would
prefer to manage habitat for all Iowa wildlife. But what little I know
about invasive species in Iowa, it seems that land managers are really
up-against-it. They need our support.



I also love birding edge habitat because you do get more bang for your buck
there. However I'm not worried that we are losing it in Iowa. It seems to
me that since we have logged, drained and tilled nearly the entire state,
almost all we have is edge habitat. Most of our woods, prairies, and
wetlands are marginal habitat at best. I do appreciate that there is an
effort to expand and better some of these places. But it is certainly a
work in progress and those of us who care need to become part of the
solution. Myself included.



Thanks.



Chris Caster

Coralville





From: <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...> On Behalf Of
Clayton Will
Sent: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 10:33 AM
To: IA-BIRD <ia-bird...>
Subject: [ia-bird] Bird habitat destruction in the name Invasive species
removal for Prairie and Oak Savannahs.



Hi everyone,



I have held off on writing this because I know it will not be accepted by
some but have in the past spoke with The Army Corp, Iowa DNR and the
Naturalist for Big Creek. All relating to the destruction of bird habitat
such as seen most recently at Lost Lake Trail - Ledges State Park at Cherry
Glenn a couple years ago. Big Creek State Park every year even to the point
of girdling, chemical spraying, then removing mature trees along with
invasives on as small as one acre plots to turn into prairie.

When I was young the Iowa DNR promoted the positive impact that "edges" had
on wildlife. Today it is all about prairie and oak savannah, nothing else.

I could go to Cherry Glenn and sit in one spot and see twenty species of
birds including Warblers, Tanagers and Cuckoos. After the area was cleared
of all undergrowth there has been none of these because the edges are gone.
The same way with the walking path at Lost Lake Trail -Ledges which was a go
to spot for me and others to see warblers in the Spring. This year they were
few and far between after a group that thought they were doing the right
thing cleared all the forest floor.

I think IOU should get involved with input on what works for birds but when
I was on the board told "Oh no, we can't get involved with that".

Many of you have been taught in college that it's all about prairie and Oak
Savannah but there has to be a reasonable acceptance that we are observing
negative changes in our parks with these methods.

I recently visited numerous parks such as Lacey-Keosaqua and you don't see
the Brush Hog destruction along roadways in the parks that lay there for
years as at Big Creek and Army Corp property. I hope they don't follow suit
at DNR directive.

When asked about large tree planting projects I'm told "We don't have funds
for that". Yet there is plenty of money for equipment to destroy habitat.
When asked if they were going to replant with native species to replace as
they call "low value" berry bearing bushes, "We don't have funds for that".
There's plenty of money for burning prairie which I don't have a problem
with but there has to be a return to tree planting and "Edges". I don't
understand how trees around the edges would negatively impact the prairie.
The North end of Bays Branch in Guthrie county once had a very large
woods/prairie area that once a Prairie Warbler was reported there. Now it's
nothing but stumps and very few birds.

IOU could have some input on this if the board would be willing to be
proactive and ask these organizations to consider the edges we need for
birds.



Sincerely,

Clayton Will

Madrid





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