Through the Lens
a presentation by
Dr. Neil Hamilton
Sponsored by the Prairie Rapids Audubon Society
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CEDAR FALLS, IA - The next Prairie Rapids Audubon Society meeting is on October 13, at 7:00 PM in the lower level of the First Presbyterian Church, 902 Main St. in Cedar Falls. The group is excited and honored to host Neil Hamilton, author, Drake University professor emeritus of law, and founder of the annual Iowa Nature Summit. The public is invited and refreshments will be served.
Prof. Hamilton is also the director of the Agricultural Law Center at Drake University in Des Moines where he has taught for over 40 years. Raised on a small farm in Adams County, he has spent his lifetime working at the intersection of law, farming, and conservation. A passionate advocate for nature, he has spent 35 years on the board of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, the state’s leading land stewardship organization. In the last four years, he has written three books – The Land Remains (2022), The River Knows (2023) and Through Nature’s Lens (Nov. 2025) – all of which detail Iowa’s natural and political history and document the challenges we face in our relations with the land, water, and nature. All the books share an optimistic, hopeful perspective of what Iowans can do to enhance nature. Prof. Hamilton always offers a lively and thoughtful presentation!
To join the meeting virtually, visit www.zoom.com and click the "Meet" menu at the top of the page, then select "Join a meeting." Enter meeting ID 581 087 8571 and then type in 1999 as the passcode. To learn more about Prairie Rapids Audubon Society, visit www.gopras.org or email praudubon@gmail.com.
Please see, too, this link to an article by James Bruton of DarkSky Iowa entitled Darkness Is Habitat: Why Iowa's Natural Night Matters. The article describes the effects of light pollution on the natural world in Iowa and elsewhere.
Go explore!
Wednesday Morning Birding is back! See details on our Field Trips page.
Plus, see details for field trips in Buchanan County on that page too!
Join the last Prairie Walk @ Irvine Prairie located at 1174 55th St, Dysart, Iowa on Mon, Sept 28, 6pm: UNI Professors will share information about research projects at Irvine Prairie. In the event of inclement weather, the walk will be moved to the following Monday. See the Tall Grass Prairie Center website for details about this prairie and others.
In the Sky: September 2026
Please click the link above to see David Voigts' article about what will be happening in the sky during September. Of special interest is the Sun setting straight in the west on the autumnal equinox that ends summer in the northern hemisphere.
The silence of a falling star
lights up a purple sky.
-Hank Williams. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry. 1949.
Climate Change Responsibility
David Voigts' article entitled "Letter: Don't Vote for Candidates Who Won't Fight Climate Change" is available via this link. David's article is a reminder to all of us about our responsibility to the environment and our planet especially when making election year choices.
National Audubon Society - Conservation Alert:
Roadless Rule Rollback Threatens Midwest’s Last Wild Forests |
The administration's Forest Service is threatening to strip protections from nearly 45 million acres of wildlands within our national forests. The protections have been particularly vital in the Midwest, where less than 200,000 acres of roadless land survived the widespread logging of the past two centuries. From Southern Illinois’ Shawnee National Forest to the Black Hills of South Dakota, from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to Indiana’s Hoosier National Forest, these are some of our region’s most cherished wild places. Increased road building and logging is expected to exacerbate wildfire risks and downstream water pollution, as forests lose their natural ability to filter pollutants. The Forest Service is accepting comments on this proposal until September 21. If this is a matter that you feel strongly about, please click the button below to ensure these treasured Midwest landscapes remain protected for generations to come. |
| Submit My Comment |
Save the Dates & Join Us!
Our 2026-27 programs have been set for your enjoyment and edification! Join us the 2nd Tuesday of each month, bring a friend & gather with others who enjoy nature & value conservation.
Our 2026-27 programs have been set for your enjoyment and edification! Join us the 2nd Tuesday of each month, bring a friend & gather with others who enjoy nature & value conservation.
Sept 8th: DarkSky Iowa
Oct 13th: Neil Hamilton, Through Nature's Lens
Nov 10th: Craig Meyers - Africa!
No meeting in December, but join us for Christmas Bird Counts!
Jan 12th: Alaska Wilderness League (Zoom only)
Feb 9th: Sandhill Cranes in Iowa
March 9th: Anna Buckardt Thomas - MOTUS towers & Osprey in Iowa
April 13th: Iowa Raptor Project with LIVE BIRDS!
May 11th: Annual potluck & program with fun interactive quiz
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.