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We are successful because you invest your time and resources in supporting our programs, projects and interests. It is terrific to share our time with like-minded people, so if you have not already done so, please RENEW or JOIN our group - $15/year! 
Find a membership form to print on our Join/Renew page, or find a link to renew/join online. 
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Thanks! - PRAS Board
Remember, we are a 501(c)(3) - Your donations may be deductible.

Did you know that most birds migrate at night? Unfortunately, they can be drawn off course by lighted structures—many are killed in building collisions or drop from exhaustion after circling them. Learn how you can help. https://bit.ly/3TAliGq

24-3 Nature and Climate
Read PRAS Board Member Conservation Chair, David Voigts' column.

In the Sky: March 2024
Of special interest is the arrival of spring with sunrise straight in the east and sunset straight in the west. Also, Orion (the Hunter) and Sirius, the brightest star in the sky will be well-placed for viewing.

Twas the season when the vault
of heaven bends its most scorching
heat upon the earth, and Sirius
the Dog-star smitten by Hyperion's full
might pitilessly burns the panting fields
        - Statius, 1st century AD Roman poet

Enjoy... David Voigts, PRAS Board Member

Orion statue that tops a beautiful fountain in Messina, Sicily.


“Assessing How Signs Build Awareness of Iowa Creeks, Rivers, & Watersheds”

By Steve Hopkins, Nonpoint Source Coordinator, Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Tues, March 12th - 7 pm
First Presbyterian Church - 9th & Main Cedar Falls

Sorry, a recording of this presentation is not available, however you may see the slides for this talk in this PDF.

See the related websites below. These links have also been added to the "Links" page of this website. Check it out and discover other links that may be of interest for bird friendly initiatives, identification, podcasts, blogs, etc.


Do you know the name of your local creek? Do you know where it flows? Do you know what watershed you live in?

A 2015 statewide survey of Iowans about water quality issues showed that many Iowans are not familiar with and, in some cases, do not even know the name of their local creek. Iowa DNR has worked with the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) to install creek signs on federal and state highways as a way to raise awareness of creeks and their watersheds in areas where DNR was funding watershed projects to improve water quality.

 In an effort to expand the effort, in 2022 DNR created a small grant program for counties, called the “DNR County Creek Sign Grant Program”, to provide funding for the installation of creek, river, and watershed signs on county roads. Through the first round of the grant program, over 24 counties were awarded funding, and the new signs were installed on county roads in 2023.  In February of 2024 DNR launched a second round of the “County Creek Sign Grant Program”, with applications due on April 1, 2024.

This presentation will provide background information about the role of signs as part of education and outreach for watershed projects, will discuss feedback from watershed staff about the role of signs, and will show examples of creek, river, and watershed signs installed in Iowa.

Missing your print copy of the RedTail Newsletter?
We've gone online now...check out the online RedTail Newsletter on the "Newsletters & Zoom" page and find archived newsletters. 

Song on a Wire - Wikimedia Commons
Bird Flight Patterns and Music Concert Program
You are now able to access the online concert video and curriculum (see link and password below-posted with permission by the copyright holder).
The link provides the full concert video and online curriculum with activities, lessons, extra musical performances, composer interviews and educational games. 
This resource will remain active through June 2022 (for one year), so utilize it for your programs, personal edification working with your children or grandchildren to teach them about music and birds!

Password:  BFPMC  (case sensitive)

 

Find an injured bird or animal? Call Black Hawk Wildlife Rehabilitation Project 319-277-6511


Subscribe to the PRAS YouTube Channel if you are interested in watching recordings of our past Zoom meetings for which we have permission to post for viewing.

Contribute to our Flickr Photo Stream
Go to this URL:   https://www.flickr.com/photos/prairierapidsaudubon/
Click "Login" 
The email address associated with PRAS's account is:   praudubon@gmail.com
Email praudubon@gmail.com to request password for email; we won't post it here online.
Save the UN and PWD so it is quick and easy the next time you upload photos.
Click the Upload icon (looks like cloud with an arrow) and follow prompts.
Here is Flick's help page for uploads.
Click the Photos link on the above navigation bar to see photos.

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We share information about field trips, local sightings, fun and interesting photos and stories about birds, nature, the environment, etc. on our Facebook page. Check it out and like us and "share" our posts.