DNR News > Recent Releases

Boone Forks Woodland Bird Conservation Area to be Dedicated
Posted: July 27, 2010

LEHIGH - The Boone Forks Wildlife Area will be dedicated as Iowa's 16th Bird Conservation Area (BCA) at 1:30 p.m., August 11, at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources' Prairie Resource Center, at 2820 Brushy Creek Road, about 4 miles east and 1 mile north of Lehigh. The event is open to the public.

The Boone Forks region, where the Boone River joins the Des Moines River in Hamilton and Webster counties, is particularly special for birds and bird watchers.

"This is one of the richest areas in the state for woodland nesting birds, such as the wood thrush, American woodcock, pileated woodpecker, Cerulean warbler, and whip-poor-will, and recent Iowa Breeding Bird Atlas results indicate there are approximately 125 to 135 bird species that breed in this region each year," said Bruce Ehresman, wildlife biologist for the DNR's wildlife diversity program. "This area also supports crucial habitat for birds during migration, providing both feeding and roosting areas that help sustain migrants as they move between winter and summer habitats."

The state Bird Conservation Area program was established by the Iowa DNR's Wildlife Bureau in 2001 as a response to alarming declines in populations of a large number of North American bird species during the last several decades. This program is part of a larger national and international all-bird conservation effort dedicated to the conservation of game and non-game birds alike and is guided under the umbrella of the North American Bird Conservation Initiative.

The BCA program emphasizes habitat conservation at a large landscape level to establish stable or growing bird populations. Each BCA includes a combination of public and private lands, well-managed for wildlife conservation, and the Boone Forks area makes a perfect candidate for this Bird Conservation Area. The program is non-regulatory, and private landowners participate only if they wish to.

Another important aspect of the BCA program is the creation of partnerships. Putting an end to the decline of so many bird species is an issue that requires help from everyone.

"The partnership formed among public agencies like the DNR, county conservation boards and NRCS; private conservation organizations like Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and National Wild Turkey Federation; and private landowners and Iowa citizens is a crucial step to create large expanses of bird habitat and reverse the trend of decreasing bird populations," said Ehresman.

"Designating Boone Forks as a Bird Conservation Area not only helps focus attention on the needs of its birds that are in trouble, but it also allows concerned citizens and the local community an opportunity to take action to help these birds," said Scott Peterson, wildlife management biologist for the DNR.