A pictorial tour of the Whiterock Conservancy

It's been an exciting first year for the Whiterock Conservancy!

In January 2005, the conservancy was born with the announcement of a 1,290-acre donation by the Garst family.

In May, a Vermilion Flycatcher, native to South America and Mexico, was spotted and photographed at Whiterock, bringing hundreds of bird-watchers to the area.

In July, a fundraiser launched a new osprey program at the Conservancy that will include the release of young ospreys and re-location of a bird release tower from Jester Park on Saylorville Lake. The effort is part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resource's osprey re-introduction program.

In October, Whiterock and Coon Rapids became an Iowa Great Places pilot community, w hich makes a variety of state and local resources available for development.

More about the Leopold Center's connection to Whiterock

More about the Whiterock Conservancy

This is only the fifth Vermilion Flycatcher to be seen in Iowa. Photo courtesy Mark Wetrich.	Kay Neumann hold an osprey at the July fundraiser. She is a local raptor rehabilitator and directs the nonprofit Saving Our Avian Resources (SOAR).
Cattle graze near Middle Raccoon River. This activity will continue under multi-purpose land management.	Trail rides (above) through the Conservancy are some of the many activities offered in the area. Above are purple coneflowers from the prairie.
This view of the Middle Raccoon River shows the barn (on the right) that is used for conferences, gatherings and other activities.

Back to Fall 2005 Leopold Letter

Published by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture
Ames, Iowa 50011, (515) 294-3711
URL: www.leopold.iastate.edu