NWTF Partners with Jackson County Conservation Board to Restore Critical Habitats in Iowa
EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The National Wild Turkey Federation has teamed up with the Jackson County Conservation Board to restore critical savanna, prairie and open oak woodland habitats in eastern Iowa. This important project will enhance more than 68 acres across the Ozark Wildlife Area, Buzzard Ridge Wildlife Area and Pine Valley Nature Area — improving wildlife habitat and public hunting opportunities.
Prairies, savannas and open oak woodlands are critical habitats for wild turkeys and many other native Iowa species. However, these habitat types, once common across the state, have become scarce due to habitat loss, fragmentation and the absence of natural disturbances like fire, which historically maintained these ecosystems. As a result, native savanna and woodland species are disappearing due to lack of disturbance necessary to maintain the open canopies they require to thrive as well as increasing competition for growing space caused by shade-tolerant invasive species.
The $15,000 restoration effort — supported by the Iowa NWTF State Chapter Super Fund, Friends of Jackson County Conservation and matching funds from the Jackson County Conservation Board for staff and equipment time — will focus on removing shade-tolerant and invasive tree species that threaten native vegetation. Contracted restoration crews, working alongside Jackson County Conservation Board staff, will open the woodland canopy to sunlight, allowing native grasses and forbs to flourish.
The restored habitats will provide high-quality nesting and brood-rearing cover for wild turkeys and will also benefit countless other species, from pollinators to deer. By treating the invasive species, the project will enable managers to effectively maintain the quality of these sites by frequently using prescribed fire, ensuring the continued health of the landscapes.
“Unfortunately, projects like this one have become the common theme throughout my district,” said John Burk, NWTF district biologist for Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. “The list of invasive species seems to get a little longer every year, and the acres that they infect is something that cannot be ignored. This work is expensive, but it is also a necessity because most of the species that have become a problem also prefer the open-canopy conditions required for critical nesting and brood rearing habitat, even more than the species we are trying to encourage. Where these invasive plants are present, if not treated, they overwhelm desired native plants negating your management efforts. We are happy that we are able to collaborate with our partners to chip away at this challenge one project at a time.”
NWTF signage will be posted at project sites to recognize the organization’s support, and updates will be shared with local communities through the Jackson County Conservation Board newsletter. With sustained follow-up management, such as prescribed burning, the benefits of this project are expected to last for decades.
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 24 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations.
