See details on the Field Trips page.
Prairie Rapids Audubon Society
Meetings are held at 7 p.m. in the lower level of the First Presbyterian Church at 902 Main Street, Cedar Falls.
The next Prairie Rapids Audubon Society meeting is a potluck beginning at 6:00 PM and the presentation will begin at 7:00 PM on May 12 in the lower level of the First Presbyterian Church, 902 Main St. in Cedar Falls.
The public is welcome to attend and enjoy the program and refreshments. Bring your own table service and dish to share. The featured speaker for the evening, Doug Harr, will speak about Native Plants and Birds (see description below).
Tue, May 12, 2026 - Iowa Audubon President Doug Harr to Speak on Native Plants and Birds
Click this Zoom link to connect virtually to this meeting.
Meeting ID is 581 087 8571 and the passcode is 1999
Iowa Audubon Society President Doug Harr leads a birding group near Ogden, Iowa.
The program for the evening features Doug Harr, current President of Iowa Audubon Society, who will present "Native Plants and Native Birds of Iowa." It is important to know how a great variety of native prairie plants serve to host a wonderful variety of Iowa's grassland birds. Doug's presentation will focus on different types of prairie, examples of the common native plants in each type, and the kinds of birds that prefer to use each type of native grassland. Because of the massive loss of Iowa's prairies, many of these grassland birds have gone into steep decline, with some listed as Threatened or Endangered, while most are now considered Iowa's "Species of Greatest Conservation Need."
Doug Harr grew up in Minnesota, then attended South Dakota State University for BS and MS degrees in Wildlife Biology. He retired after over 38 years with Iowa DNR where he served as a Wildlife Management Biologist in NW Iowa, then as Wildlife Diversity State Program Coordinator in Des Moines at the DNR headquarters. Doug is currently vice-president of the Big Bluestem Audubon chapter, President of Iowa Audubon, and serves on the advisory board for National Audubon’s Upper Mississippi River regional office.
Of special interest will be the Moon very close to Venus on the 18th, and then moving past Jupiter on the 19th and the twin stars of Gemini on the 20th.
"In all of this emptiness - this is a whole bunch of nothingness, this thing we call the universe - you have this oasis, this beautiful place (where) we get to exist together."
Regarding Conservation...
To read an important article by David Voigts about conservation entitled Climate Change Choices, please click this link.
Plus, some good news!
A critically endangered Sumatran orangutan in Indonesia was filmed for the first time using a rope bridge to cross a forest, Isaaq Tomkins reports for The Guardian. While this may not seem like that big of a deal, it certainly is to local conservationists in the area who installed the bridge to help animals remain connected across forests fragmented by rampant development and deforestation. They have been waiting to spot the animal crossing for around two years.
PRAS Board Elections
Notice: These are candidates for PRAS Board election (To be voted upon at May meeting)
Officers, one-year terms:
President: Darrin Siefken
Vice President: Craig Rash
Secretary: (no candidates)
Treasurer: Francis Moore
Board members, two-year terms:
Dennis Schmadeke
John McCormick
Kris Rash
David Voigts
Phil Plourde
Irvine Prairie Walk - May 25th, 6 p.m.
See details here; join PRAS member, Candace Havely as she is the featured speaker for the prairie walk.
See details here; join PRAS member, Candace Havely as she is the featured speaker for the prairie walk.
Fontana Bumble Bee Atlas
Saturday, June 6th, 10 AM – 11:30 AM
Fontana Nature Center
Ages: All ages are welcomed.
**Pre-registration Required**
Join Naturalist Kyle at Fontana Park to learn all about Iowa’s true native pollinator, the bumble bee. Take part in a Bumble Bee Atlas! The Atlas is a survey conducted by everyday volunteers, like yourself, in keeping track of our fuzzy insect friends across the United States. Iowa is one of many states that have participated in the survey.
After a brief introduction to the program Kyle will take you into the prairie and identify what species you would find. Yes, Iowa has more than one species of bumble bee. Isn’t that crazy!
To register go on to: https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Buchanan/Park/Fontana-Park/Events/29139/Fontana-Bumble-Bee-Atlas
We decided not do the organized Bird-a-thon fundraiser this year as we have done in the past. This week the migrant birds are beginning to appear in yards, parks, and wildlife areas. Now, and for the rest of the month, is a good time to observe the birds and other wildlife wherever you are.
We encourage you to make up your own bird watching challenge. Whether it be during a walk, or simply looking out your window, birds can be found, listed and shared. Consider setting a dollar amount for each bird species you can identify as a way to support PRAS, or you can give a set amount as well. Either way, you are giving back to the birds and nature in and around our communities.
Take some time to watch birds and come up with a way to get creative in your own way to combine birds seen with a matching donation to PRAS. We would love to hear what you decide to do, where you went, and how many birds species, you, your family, or your crew found.
Have fun, and as always, thank you for supporting the mission of PRAS! Here is a link to a form you may use to send your donation. Or please consider donating to the PRAS Quasi or PRAS Permanent Endowment funds through the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa.
Connect with Us...
Click the Photos link on menu above to view.
Find us, like & share our posts on Facebook
Subscribe to the PRAS Audubon YouTube Channel to view past programs
Submit a proposal for our consideration via the PRAS Grant Application Form to help your organization secure funding for a project that supports our mission.
Consider donating to the PRAS Quasi or PRAS Permanent Endowment funds through the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa.
Call Black Hawk Wildlife Rehabilitation Project 319-939-4635
or if you are outside of our area, see other Iowa wildlife rehabilitators.