Kalona

Iowa’s wildlife faces environmental threats including habitat loss, habitat fragmentation and degradation, according to Meredith Roemerman, deputy director of Burr Oak Land Trust.

Roemerman spoke at the September 30 Kalona Rotary meeting, sharing information about the organization, its conservation efforts and the environmental challenges facing the state.

Burr Oak Land Trust

Burr Oak Land Trust was established in 1978 as Johnson County Heritage Trust before changing its name in 2015. The organization focuses on protecting biodiversity through land stewardship, conservation easements, invasive-species management and community education.

Threatened species

Roemerman discussed the species threatened by these environmental challenges, along with other conservation concerns in Iowa.

According to Roemerman, more than 500 species in the state are threatened by these causes, including the rusty patched bumblebee, freshwater snails, ornate box turtle, prickly pear cactus and least shrew. Worldwide, she said, more than a million species have been lost.

She also discussed an estimated loss of about 3 million birds in North America since 1970.

Mussels are experiencing a major decline as well, Roemerman said, largely because of changes in water temperature.

During her discussion of mussels, she shared the story of John F. Boepple, who started a pearl-button factory in Muscatine. The factory used large quantities of mussels, contributing to a decline in their population.

Roemerman said Boepple later accidentally stepped on a sharp mussel while searching for them. His foot became infected, and the infection ultimately caused his death.

Preserves

Roemerman said the organization purchased a nature preserve in Muscatine in 2022. The preserve covers about 200 acres near the Cedar River.

She described the property as particularly diverse.

“This is one of our most biologically diverse preserves.”

  The preserve is home to prairie crayfish, snails, dung beetles, turtles and many birds that use its wetlands for resting or nesting. Roemerman explained that the property provides habitat for wildlife throughout the seasons.

“Any time of year, whether it’s wet or dry, it’s serving a purpose for the wildlife that lives there.”

An acoustic survey conducted last summer indicated that all nine bat species found in Iowa may be present at the preserve.

“For bats, it’s really a great place to go.”

Over the years, the organization has protected several preserves. Roemerman said its first, Turkey Creek Nature Preserve in Solon, was protected in 1980. It is also the organization’s most visited preserve.

“It’s our most beloved preserve.”

Other properties include Belgum Grove Preserve south of Iowa City and Muddy Creek Preserve in Coralville.

The organization has been working to restore Belgum Grove so native flowers and grasses can return. Invasive reed canary grass once dominated the preserve.

Muddy Creek Preserve was once an open oak savanna but became densely wooded over time. Those managing the property are now clearing some trees to restore a more open habitat resembling its condition in the 19th century.

Roemerman also shared a restoration method that surprised many in attendance: controlled fire. She explained that a controlled burn can cover a large area, reduce invasive plants and help native plants grow back.

"It covers a much larger area in a shorter amount of time. It also really wipes out a lot of those invasives to give the native plants a better chance of growing in and growing faster than those invasives.”

Dogs finding turtles

Research is another part of the organization’s efforts to protect species. Roemerman discussed John Rucker, a retired teacher from Wyoming who trains dogs to locate endangered turtles.

The dogs are Boykin spaniels, whose soft mouths allow them to retrieve turtles without hurting them.

“They are soft-mouth dogs, so they are really good at picking up turtles softly and bringing them back so that researchers can tag the turtles, take whatever data they need to, and then send them back on their way.”

Once the dogs retrieve the turtles, researchers can tag them, collect data and release them back into the wild. That work helps researchers learn more about the turtles, their habitats and the reasons they are endangered.

Community engagement

Roemerman said donations from individuals help make the organization’s work possible.

She also discussed ways for community members to get involved, including the Backyard Biodiversity Project, guided hikes and the Foster a Pawpaw program, which supports native tree restoration and local biodiversity.

Anyone interested in participating or learning more about Burr Oak Land Trust can contact the organization or reach out to Executive Director Jason Taylor for information about its programs.