By Madelynn J Wuestenberg, Chelsea J Harbach ..read more

By Madelynn J Wuestenberg Key Points El Nino transitioning to La Nina during this summer; increased risk of heat Still need more moisture for streamflow recovery in many areas of the state, particularly southern and eastern parts of the state Good chances for the planting season to be slightly warmer than average Past Weather ..read more

By Madelynn J Wuestenberg Many of us were found staring up at the sky on Monday around 2:00 PM in Iowa, as we marveled at the moon blocking the sun. But what effect does this phenomenon have on weather? Using a weather station from the ISU Soil Moisture Network, we can take a deeper look into how the eclipse effected various weather variables during the time of the event ..read more

By Catherine DeLong With recent reports of mandatory water conservation in several counties across Iowa, some people may be switching their water source from Rural Water to a private well. We wanted to share some resources, for both human and livestock consumption, if you are considering making this shift ..read more

By Catherine DeLong Owners of private wells can be connected to local experts and funding to test their well by attending one of several workshops being held across the state. The Private Well Stewardship Program, an educational program offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, teaches well owners about the responsibilities and risks of being a private well owner and connects them to additional resources to manage their well ..read more

By Dr. Billy Beck Woodland owners and land managers can improve their knowledge of Iowa’s woodland resources this spring and fall by participating in a hands-on training program offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The Iowa Master Woodland Steward Program will offer seven learning modules spread over a six-week period, with a combination of online self-paced prework, followed by three-hour educational sessions that include classroom and in-field learning ..read more

By Dr. Adam Janke The use of lead shot for waterfowl hunting was banned in Iowa in 1987 in an attempt to spare birds the agonizing effects of lead poisoning resulting from their incidental consumption of spent shot. It was the same year I was born and four years before a nationwide ban was instituted to reduce the long-documented impacts of lead poisoning on water-feeding birds like ducks, geese, and swans. Nearly four decades later, incidences of lead poisoning have declined, but some long-term impacts still linger ..read more

By Dr. Billy Beck Woodland owners who want to know the value of their forest or how their forest can be improved oftentimes just need to know where to begin. That’s the goal behind two new forest resources from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach ..read more

By Dr. Adam Janke While our growing degree days are now firmly in the rear-view mirror and many of our most lauded phenological events – the serenade of the dawn chorus of birds, the stunning blooms of trees in spring, and the tapestry of prairie wildflowers of summer – have come and gone too, we head now into one of the year’s most important chapters for wildlife, and the people who tend their habitat: it’s time to work ..read more

By Aaron Steil As leaves and temperatures fall, trees and shrubs in the home landscape become increasingly at risk for damage from animals, snow load, salt, sunscald, and desiccation. Fortunately, there is still time to protect trees and shrubs from winter damage...   ..read more