| To better manage Iowa's wildlife resources, the Wildlife Bureau established
a wildlife research and a management section. There are 20 management units
covering the states, each staffed by a wildlife biologist and several technicians.
Their work involves managing public lands, assisting private landowners
with habitat improvement projects, and providing information about wildlife
populations on local public lands. Wildlife management areas encompass
over a quarter million acres for outdoor recreation, including river access
to 10,400 miles of Iowa streams. Wetland restoration is a big focus of
habitat improvement projects and in the last several years, more wetlands
have been restored in Iowa than have been drained. Since 1987, over 900
wetland basins (4,100 acres) have been restored.
Three research stations staffed with biologists and technicians conduct
research on wildlife populations, coordinate wildlife reintroduction and
restoration efforts, collect biological data, make hunting season recommendations
and band waterfowl.
Wildlife bureau personnel work closely with other government agencies
and with conservation groups such as Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited,
Wild Turkey Federation, Quail Unlimited, Waterfowl USA, and Wetlands for
Iowa to promote good wildlife management through their various programs.
Most Iowa land is in private ownership. Because much of our wildlife
production and recreation occurs on this land, private land habitat improvement
is a priority for the wildlife bureau. The DNR conducts and aggressive
program to provide landowners cost-share and technical assistance programs
to plan, implement and improve habitat. The value of food plots, prairie
grasses and shelterbelts are now recognized by farmers, conservation organizations
and outdoor enthusiasts as sound land use practices. First promoted by
the DNR's wildlife bureau in cost-shared demonstration programs, the practices
are now commonplace for many farmers.
Personnel from the wildlife bureau are also involved in a very important
and essential role--to monitor wildlife populations throughout the state.
Information gained through this work is used to solve wildlife problems,
make hunting season recommendations and design new techniques and management
strategies to insure a sound wildlife population for the future.
Wildlife reintroduction projects in Iowa are another big success story
made possible through this program. Thirty years ago nesting Canada geese,
wild turkeys, prairie chickens and river otters were a distant memory and
deer hunting opportunities were limited at best. Today, Canada geese and
wild turkeys nest across the state, providing some of the best recreational
opportunities in the nation.
A very conservative number of professional wildlife personnel are quietly
at work all year managing Iowa's wildlife resources carefully, and with
sound scientific information, to ensure a bright future for Iowa's sportsmen
and women.
- excerpts from an article written by Ken Herring, Carl Prieb and Mel
Moe, Sept. 1994 |
