Xerces Comes to Prairie Preview

Some of the crowd at Prairie Preview

This year on March 3, Prairie Preview will be 37 years old. The requests have been coming in regularly for table and floor space, so it looks like you’ll be able to expand on those conversations you started last year, as well as meeting new faces.

In case you weren’t at the annual gatherings in the 1980s, and wondering what was happening back then, I just updated our history of Prairie Preview, which includes the story about how it was born a child of adversity. It also lists all the past speakers and their topics. Titled “Prairie Preview Past, Present, and Future,” it is attached as a PDF.

This year’s speaker is Sarah Nizzi from the Xerces Society and she will tell us about “Integrating Nature into our Daily Lives and Why it Matters.” The Xerces Society takes its name from the Xerces blue butterfly. When the runways of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) were expanded to accommodate larger aircraft, the little sand dunes were removed, which were the last remaining habitat of the Xerces blue butterfly, and the species became extinct – the first extinction after the Endangered Species Act was created. The Society’s name reflects their commitment to not let this happen again. (For more on the tribe of butterflies called the Blues, see “Singing the Butterfly Blues”)

The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation is an international nonprofit organization based in Portland, Oregon, working to preserve wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates. This is done in many ways: on-the-ground research, assisting landowners and farmers with habitat installation in the private and public sector, education and outreach, and creating a multitude of publications.

Sarah’s presentation reflects her experience with the Society as a Farm Bill Pollinator Conservation Planner and NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service) Biologist. Sarah provides technical and financial assistance to landowners and farmers interested in implementing pollinator habitat all across Iowa, among many other tasks. Additionally, her presentation will cover the society’s work nationally and the importance and current status of invertebrates. Lastly, conservation action tips will be addressed to inspire audience members to make a difference, whether it be on a small or large scale.

Every little bit counts!