I grew up in Rippey during the 80s and 90s and spent countless days over the years exploring the natural places of Greene county. Squirrel Hollow is still a special place that I love to visit and feel recharged after hiking into the sandbar or walking the dog around the park. Visiting trees I’ve known my whole life, I would call myself a dirt worshiping tree-hugger from birth. While taking the Iowa State Extension Master Gardner Program I learned about the Iowa State Extension Master Conservation Program. I thought what a great way to continue to learn about a topic I love, so here we are today. I am currently a resident of Perry, IA in Dallas County so I am doing the program through the ISU Extension office for Dallas County in Adel, IA. I live in the center of Perry on what I call my mini urban farm. I grow produce and have poultry for eggs and their pest control and composting help. During growing season there are several nights a week I don’t have to go much further than the backyard to get the ingredients I need to make dinner! Typically, you can always find me outside.
I’ve been asked to share with you my experiences I have along the way with the Master Conservation Program. Let me begin by saying this program is open to everyone- we probably have an age range of participants covering a 50-year span! People wanting to get involved more in conservation with their own properties, educators learning more to expand on information for their classrooms, city employees looking to learn more about urban practices and improving natural areas within their communities, and folks that are there because of their love of the land around them. Having such a diverse blend of interested individuals brings even more value to the program.
Our first in-field class was held in the Raccoon River north of Adel on a private property, alongside the river we were also able to see an extensive area of prairie restoration that has taken place over the course of 35 years. Our goals for the evening were to investigate the biodiversity of the river, and sample and test the water. We broke into two groups, one in a rockier area along the river, and one more on the flat sandy area. First before entering the river, we took samples for chemical analysis and tested clarity- this is done with a cylinder that has a black and white check bottom, the cylinder is filled then slowly drained till the checkered bottom becomes visible. Next, we got into the river with D-nets and kick nets to search for insects and other critters. Between the two groups we found: dragonfly nymphs, damsel fly nymphs, clams, mussels, minnows, and snails. Several varieties of clam shells brought up for snacks by raccoons were also identified. After sharing our findings as a class, we took our water samples up to be tested. The samples were tested for: Dissolved Oxygen, PH, Chloride, Phosphate, Nitrate-N, Transparency, and Temperature. Our instructors for the night Bob Rye and Mike Delaney, both board members of the Raccoon River Watershed Association (RRWA) walked us through the testing process. Bob and Mike were a wealth of information, both passionate educators on the land and waterways around us we call home.
Some of our first homework included reading “The Land Ethic” an essay written by Aldo Leopold in the 1940s. Leopold was a conservationist, naturalist, ecologist, and writer. He was born in Burlington, IA and later moved to Sauk County Wisconsin, and was a professor at the University of Wisconsin. He is well known for his book A Sand County Almanac, first published in 1949. In the essay we were assigned we read about Leopold’s thoughts on how humans relate to land, animals and plants that grow upon it. His view rejects the human-centered view on the environment and presents an idea of a healthy renewable and sustainable ecosystem.
“A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community.”
Aldo Leopold “The Land Ethic”, A Sand County Almanac.
A little more information on this education opportunity, it is a collaborative program with ISU Extension and Outreach, County Conservation Boards, and local conservation leaders and professionals. It is divided into 4 online modules, and 6in-field classes that cover: Rivers, Wetlands, Prairie, Forest, Urban conservation, and bringing it all together to get the word out to others.
Module 1- Explores both the history and current structure of conservation practices in Iowa. It also presents the landforms and waterways that are what make the land area of the state.
Module 2- Goes in depth on the structure, function, and challenges that Iowa’s natural prairie, forest, and aquatic ecosystems face.
Module 3- Takes a look at the many conservation practices brought about and initiated to address conservation challenges in the state of Iowa.
Module 4- The human element of conservation is discussed and ways to communicate the importance of conservation to other Iowans.
If you’d like to learn more about the Master Gardener or Master Conservation programs email mwill@iastate.edu
https://naturalresources.extension.iastate.edu/programs/master-conservationist
