What We Do
The district has acquired more than 25,000 acres of land in order to preserve and restore the prairie and wetland habitat historically found throughout north-central Iowa. Because healthy prairie habitats can’t exist without periodic disturbance and due to the effects of past human manipulation, district lands need to be managed to improve or maintain habitat conditions. Some of the management techniques we use on the district include prescribed fire, prairie restoration, wetland restoration, woody plant control, grazing, haying, sedimentation reduction, invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.
Learn more about invasive species control and water level manipulation.
Law Enforcement
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service law enforcement officers have a wide variety of duties and responsibilities. Officers help visitors understand and obey wildlife protection laws. They work closely with state and local government offices to enforce federal, state and refuge hunting regulations that protect migratory birds and other game species from illegal take and preserve legitimate hunting opportunities.