The Xerces Society is a nonprofit organization that protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitat. For forty years, the Society has been at the forefront of invertebrate protection worldwide, harnessing the knowledge of scientists and the enthusiasm of citizens to implement conservation programs. To learn more visit:

http://www.xerces.org

Bug Guide

More than just a clearinghouse for information on insects, this site helps expand on the natural histories of our subjects. See an insect in your garden that you can't identify? Ask for help at:

http://bugguide.net/node/view/81

Pollinator Partnership

The Pollinator Partnership is a non-profit organization-- the largest organization in the world dedicated exclusively to the protection and promotion of pollinators and their ecosystems. Birds, bats, bees, butterflies, beetles, and other small mammals that pollinate plants are responsible for bringing us one out of every three bites of food. They also sustain our ecosystems and produce our natural resources by helping plants reproduce. To learn more visit:

http://pollinator.org

The Lost Lady Bug Project

Over the past twenty years native ladybugs that were once very common have become extremely rare. We're asking you to join us in finding out where all the ladybugs have gone so we can try to prevent more native species from becoming so rare. To learn how you can get involved, visit:

http://www.lostladybug.org/

BeeSpotter

BeeSpotter is a partnership between citizen-scientists and the professional science community designed to educate the public about pollinators by engaging them in a data collection effort of importance to the nation. To learn more visit:

https://beespotter.org/

Migratory Dragonfly Partnership

To better understand and conserve North America's dragonfly migration, dragonfly experts, nongovernmental programs, academic institutions, and federal agencies from the United States, Mexico, and Canada have formed the collaborative Migratory Dragonfly Partnership (MDP). This site will allow you to submit dragonfly migration observations. To get involved visit:

http://www.migratorydragonflypartnership.org/

Insects of Iowa

Looking for a great way to help you identify insects you see in Iowa?

http://insectsofiowa.org/

Funding Sources

Acreage Based Funding Programs

Iowa Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever

Description: Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever (PF/QF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education and land management policies and programs. PF/QF Farm Bill Wildlife Biologists can assist landowners in designing, developing, and funding habitat improvements on private land.

Aid Provided: The Bee & Butterfly Habitat Fund is a program offering landowners the option to provide high quality honeybee and monarch habitat while also receiving an annual rental rate. Project size is between 1 to 20 acres. The contract length option is 3,4,5 or 6-year contracts.

Iowa PF/QF Field Staff: http://iowapf.net/Staff.aspx

The Bee & Butterfly Habitat Fund: http://beeandbutterflyfund.org/

Iowa DNR Private Lands Program

Description: Landowners with 2 or more acres available to be dedicated to wildlife habitat and that are interested in establishing habitat for pollinators can meet one on one with a staff member who will develop a comprehensive wildlife management plan. These plans take into consideration the landowner's goals as well as local wildlife needs. Landowners are directed towards financial assistance opportunities to aid in the costs of carrying out the plan developed.

Aid Provided: The Iowa DNR can provide a portion of the funds necessary to purchase seed for native seeding establishment.

http://www.iowadnr.gov/Conservation/Wildlife-Landowner-Assistance

Monarch Watch

Description: Monarch Watch is a nonprofit education, conservation, and research program based at the University of Kansas that focuses on the monarch butterfly, its habitat, and its spectacular fall migration.

Aid Provided: Free milkweeds for large-scale native habitat restoration (minimum 2 acres).

http://monarchwatch.org/bring-back-the-monarchs/milkweed/free-milkweeds-for-restoration-projects/

Prairie Partners (Iowa DNR, Pheasants Forever, Iowa Native Plant Growers Association)

Description: Landowners work with local private lands biologists to design a wildlife plan to meet the landowner's objectives. Landowners with projects that are 2 or more acres are eligible for cost share for native seeding given they agree to a 10-year maintenance agreement.

Aid Provided: The Prairie Partners Program provides 50% cost share on the purchase of seed for native seeding establishment.

http://ionxchange.com/iowa-prairie-partner-program/

Location Specific Funding

Polk Soil and Water Conservation District - Easter Lake Watershed Project

Description: Projects and programs aimed at reducing pollution entering Easter Lake through major stream stabilizations, as well as cost-share and financial incentives for watershed rainscaping practices such as rain gardens, bioswales, pervious pavement, and more.

Aid Provided: Provide 75% cost-share on native landscaping, rain gardens, and assistance for bioretention cells and bioswales within the Easter Lake Watershed.

Easter Lake - Iowa DNR
https://www.facebook.com/RainscapingIowa/

Polk Water and Soil Conservation District

Description: PS&WCD's mission is to provide leadership to help people improve, conserve and sustain our natural resources while educating them about the importance and practicality of maintaining our environment and quality of life.

Aid Provided: Cost share and technical assistance to urban and rural residents to implement various conservation practices. Aid is provided to residents in Polk County in rural and urban areas.

https://www.polkswcd.com/

Quad Cities Pollinator Conference (Small Projects)

Description: Coordinated for the past two years by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Nahant Marsh Education Center, Rock Island County Soil & Water Conservation District and Scott County Conservation Board, the Pollinator Conference is geared toward the agricultural community; municipal, state and federal government employees; landowners; homeowners and urban dwellers; beekeepers; students; and educators.

Aid Provided: The goal of this grant program is to fund one small scale and one large scale project within a thirty-mile radius of the Quad Cities. The result will be a physical product that positively impacts and enhances pollinator habitat and conservation in our community. The Pollinator Conference planning committee believes that real change can be affected in our communities with the funding of such projects. The large project funding pool applicants are eligible to receive up to $2500 and small project applicants may receive up to $500.

email nahantmarsh@eicc.edu for application

Quad Cities Pollinator Conference (Large Projects)

Aid Provided: The goal of this grant program is to fund one small scale and one large scale project within a thirty mile radius of the Quad Cities. The result will be a physical product that positively impacts and enhances pollinator habitat and conservation in our community. The Pollinator Conference planning committee believes that real change can be affected in our communities with the funding of such projects. The large project funding pool applicants are eligible to receive up to $2500 and small project applicants may receive up to $500.

email nahantmarsh@eicc.edu for application

Trees Forever (Pollinator Habitat Conservation)

Description: This nonprofit charitable organization, headquartered in Marion, Iowa, was founded in 1989, and continues today with our commitment to connect people to the environment through the planting and care of trees, prairie, and other natural areas.

Aid Provided: Pollinator Habitat Conservation: Trees Forever works with communities, non-profits, private landowners, and others to plan and install native plants to feed and shelter pollinators. Each year, they recruit 20 pollinator habitat demonstration sites in Iowa and Illinois (10 in each state) to showcase proper site selection and preparation, appropriate plant species composition, and on-going maintenance requirements for the establishment of sustainable pollinator-friendly habitat. Nominate your yard, farm, city lot, parcel you own, school or nature center to participate in the Trees Forever Pollinator Habitat Conservation program.

Power of Trees – Trees Forever

Community-Based Projects

Trees Forever, (Alliant Energy)

Aid Provided: Alliant Energy Branching Out: The Branching Out program is offered exclusively to Iowa communities where Alliant Energy provides electric and/or natural gas service. The utility provides grants of $1,000 to $10,000 for community-based tree planting projects, including streetscapes, schools, public buildings, trails, parks, entranceways, cemeteries, and more. Trees Forever administers and facilitates the program, providing organizational, educational, planning and planting support through our network of experienced field staff. Application Deadlines: June 1 and November 1.

Alliant Energy Community Tree Program – Trees Forever

Trees Forever, (Black Hills Energy)

Aid Provided: Black Hills Power of Trees: Power of Trees program is a partnership of Black Hills Energy, Trees Forever, and Iowa communities to support and fund tree-planting projects that save energy, beautify your community, and enhance the environment. It is offered to Iowa communities served by Black Hills Energy. Trees can be planted on either public or private property through this program. Black Hills Energy provides matching grants of $500 to $7,000 per project. Trees Forever administers and facilitates the program, providing on-site technical and planning support. Application deadlines: June 1 and November 1.

Power of Trees – Trees Forever

Farmland and Recreational Areas

Natural Resource Conservation Service (Conservation Reserve Program)

Description: The NRCS is a federal agency that works with landowners through conservation planning and assistance designed to benefit soil, water, air, plants and animals that result in productive lands and healthy ecosystems.

Aid Provided: Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a land conservation program that allows landowners to enroll environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production to conservation cover that will improve environmental health and quality. Cost share is provided for the establishment of conservation cover (i.e. pollinator habitat) and also provides a yearly rental payment.

https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/conservation-programs/conservation-reserve-program/index

Natural Resource Conservation Service (Environmental Quality Incentives Program)

Aid Provided: Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a conservation program that helps agricultural producers implement conservation practices (such as planting pollinator habitat) to optimize environmental benefits on working lands. This program pays a one-time, flat rate payment for the establishment of the conservation practice.

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/eqip/

Partners for Fish and Wildlife

Description: The Partners for Fish & Wildlife program works with private landowners to improve fish and wildlife habitat on their lands.

Aid Provided: Cost-share for habitat restoration work on private lands. May include materials like seed, planting assistance and maintenance.

https://fws.gov/get-involved

Trees Forever: Working Watersheds - Buffers and Beyond

Aid Provided: Working Watersheds: Buffers and Beyond: Trees Forever's program helps to improve water quality, soil retention and habitat improvement by working with Iowa landowners to implement conservation practices and promote land stewardship. Trees Forever staff assists Working Watersheds program participants with project planning, planting and maintenance plans. Trees Forever can provide a 50 percent cost share (up to a maximum of $2,000) to implement a water quality project or demonstration site. Riparian buffer plantings are the main focus of the program, but other innovative projects are also considered. Trees Forever is placing a special emphasis on working with no-till farmers interested in establishing STRIPS (Science-based Trials of row-crops Integrated with Prairies).

http://www.treesforever.org/Working_Watersheds

School Gardens

Monarch Watch

Aid Provided: For schools-free flat of 32 milkweed plugs as well as guidance on how to create a new habitat or enhance an existing garden.

http://monarchwatch.org/bring-back-the-monarchs/milkweed/free-milkweeds-schools-nonprofits/