Farm District on Lincoln Highway May Lose National Status

by Byways Coordinator Jeanie Hau

Meyers Farm National Historic District in Lisbon, Iowa, is in danger of losing two of its contributing barns structures. The farm is adjacent to Pleasant Grove Heritage Park which includes a fishing pond and will soon have a 10-acre restored tallgrass prairie. 

New Water Quality Report!

by Water Quality Specialist Dan Haug

Our annual report for the 2023 water monitoring season in Story County is now available, along with a summary of key findings. Another drought year brought high E. coli and low dissolved oxygen in many streams, but some encouraging trends in the South Skunk River.

Story County Water Quality Update

by Water Quality Specialist Dan Haug

On March 15, many wastewater treatment plants turned on UV disinfection equipment, and you can see the difference with E. coli results from Ballard Creek.

Pollinator of the Month: Tiger Swallowtail

You can tell this eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly (Papilio glaucus) is a male because it's missing the blue patch on the hind wings. Scratch that--it's missing the hind wings entirely! Well, gosh, if this poor butterfly can fly with a chunk of its wings missing, then surely Dan and Jeanie can keep this newsletter going until we're back to full staff.

Support a butterfly by planting native flowers like Liatris and support our organization with your donation!

Creek Clean-Up in Ames!

Saturday, April 20, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

Join Prairie Rivers of Iowa and our partners for a fun morning of canoeing and pulling tires and other trash out of the South Skunk River!

Registration is full.

Spring Water Quality Snapshot

Tuesday, May 21, 7:30-9:00 am

Testing many creeks on the same day gives us a snapshot of water quality across central Iowa, especially now that we're coordinating the timing with other organizations.

Registration is required.

Promise Road: How the Lincoln Highway

Changed America

Continuing through April

The Carnegie Public Library in Woodbine, Iowa, is hosting the travelling Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway exhibit until the end of April. Contact Byway Coordinator Jeanie Hau at jhau@prrcd.org to be next in line to host this engaging exhibit!

Iowa PBS: Road Trip Iowa

May 15, part of weekly series

Join Iowa PBS in a new travel series, Road Trip Iowa. Venture across Iowa's scenic byways, historic sites, unique attractions, and natural beauty from your couch! The Iowa Valley Scenic Byway will be featured on May 15 and the Lincoln Highway will take the spotlight in Season 2, so stay tuned!

Stream on demand Here!

Older, Wiser, Livelier Souls: History of the Lincoln Highway in Story County in Words and Images

May 2, 10:30-11:30am

McFarland Park, Story County

The presentation by Hank Zalatel will speak to road politics of the time, road features, location, towns served, tourist amenities, motels, cafes, and gas stations past and present. Details here.