Prairie Rapids Audubon Society

10/14/2026

On Tuesday, October 13th PRAS hosted a program, Through Nature’s Lens...Efforts to Protect Iowa’s Water, Land and Wildlife featuring Dr. Neil Hamilton. Dr. Hamilton discussed the concerns of Iowan's health and the environment, and the possibilities of efforts that would help to alleviate those concerns. Fifty-three people were in attendance.
The evening ended with some delicious treats. Thank you Al Sundt, Connie Svoboda, Linda Fitzgerald, Candace Havely, Kris Rash, Ken Heiar, Dennis Schmadeke and Charlene Heiar for providing treats or helping in the kitchen.

10/12/2026

REMINDER: Tomorrow, Tuesday, October 13th at 7:00 pm is the October meeting for the Prairie Rapids Audubon Society. It will be held in the lower level of the First Presbyterian Church, 902 Main St. in Cedar Falls. The public is invited and refreshments will be served.

Dr. Neil Hamilton, of Drake University will be presenting "Through Nature’s Lens...Efforts to Protect Iowa’s Water, Land and Wildlife"
The talk will discuss the challenges Iowa faces in protecting water quality and funding nature programs. The talk will put into context the current political discussions concerning the 2026 farm bill, the growing concern about cancer in Iowa, our failure to fund IWILL, and the growing public awareness of our water quality problems. The talk will focus on reasons Iowans should remain hopeful and discuss how we can all be friends of nature.
To connect to our virtual meetings click on https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5810878571 Meeting ID is 581 087 8571 and the passcode is 1999

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

10/12/2026

Reminder: PRAS Tue - Neil Hamilton- Through Nature's Lens: Do We Really Love Our Land and Waterhttps://mailchi.mp/8d264f549796/neilhamilton

10/09/2026

A few photos of birds seen on the PRAS Wednesday Morning Birding on October 7th on Sweetwater Creek Trail near Tripoli. Thank you to Tom Moon and Bruce Plakke for submitting photos. Click on each photo to learn more about the bird and the name of the photographer.

10/09/2026

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: The October meeting of the Prairie Rapids Audubon Society will be held on Tuesday, October 13, at 7:00 PM in the lower level of the First Presbyterian Church, 902 Main St. in Cedar Falls. The public is invited and refreshments will be served.

Dr. Neil Hamilton, of Drake University will be presenting "Through Nature’s Lens...Efforts to Protect Iowa’s Water, Land and Wildlife"

The talk will discuss the challenges Iowa faces in protecting water quality and funding nature programs. The talk will put into context the current political discussions concerning the 2026 farm bill, the growing concern about cancer in Iowa, our failure to fund IWILL, and the growing public awareness of our water quality problems. The talk will focus on reasons Iowans should remain hopeful and discuss how we can all be friends of nature.

To connect to our virtual meetings click on https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5810878571 Meeting ID is 581 087 8571 and the passcode is 1999

10/08/2026

A diverse group of twelve Birders gathered for the PRAS Wednesday Morning Birding on October 7th to check out this new site, "Sweetwater Creek Trail" which leads from Sweet Marsh into the town of Tripoli. It was wonderful to share this birding experience with a 3-year-old participant. Reminder birding is for all ages. The Birders did spot 57 bird species. Some of the highlights for today's field trip will be shown on another posting.

ALERT
Note the change to next week's WMB location and schedule. We will meet at Beaver Valley Wetland at the corner of Beaver Valley and Union Roads northwest of Cedar Falls at 8:30 and bird for approximately an hour. We will proceed to the Rotary Reserve, 5932 N. Union Rd. Cedar Falls. Dan Cohen will be giving a presentation on IWILL, Iowa's Water and Land Legacy at 10:00. Both governor candidates are in favor of this amendment that was voted on and passed by Iowa voters in 2010 but has yet to be passed by the Iowa legislature. This will be a good time to learn what is involved in this important piece of legislation.
We may do a little more birding at the Reserve if time allows.

10/08/2026

Wednesday Morning Birding October 7, 2026 -

10/06/2026

Do you know a young talented artist who loves birds? This contest is for them! https://form.jotform.com/262715650298161

🐦🦅Put a bird on it!🦉🦃

The Iowa Songbird Art Contest is free and open to all persons in grades K-12 (aged 5-18 years old) living in Iowa!

Each entry must include both an original artwork and a creative writing piece (writing is optional for students in grades K–3).

Entries must abide by the guidelines and be submitted online by November 30th at https://form.jotform.com/252746050114145

10/06/2026

REMINDER: The Wednesday Morning Birding is on October 7th at Sweetwater Creek Trail* Tripoli, IA. This is a new site. The address is 2651 170th St., Tripoli, IA. This is a different address from the one listed in the Red Tail Newsletter. It is approximately 1/4 mile west of the Sweet Marsh south entrance. Part of the trail has been washed out so we will be walking one mile to the washout and back. The trail is paved. BRING your insect repellent. No restroom facilities as this location. Hope to see you all

10/01/2026

Wednesday Morning Birding September 30, 2026 -