Goals and Objectives:

• Collect baseline information on vertebrates and invertebrates in accordance with the Multiple Species Inventory and Monitoring (MSIM) protocols at 15-20 sites along the Missouri River.
• Estimate probability of occupancy and abundance for select species of interest, as appropriate.
• Link findings to the Missouri River Recovery Program (MRRP) objectives for these sites.

Progress:

Fieldwork for this project began in mid-April 2016 with the hiring of a field crew and site selection. A 5-person crew surveyed from 15 April to 15 October in 2016 collecting wildlife and habitat data for 15 study sites on 11 properties in southwestern Iowa (Monona, Mills, and Fremont counties). All species observed during surveys were recorded with special focus given the Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). All collected data were entered into the MSIM online database. Field study sites were selected based on specific habitat types and management practices of interest to state agency wildlife management staff that conduct habitat management on selected properties.

Future Plans:

This project has been completed and a final report will be submitted in May 2017. Study findings will be used to aid local site management actions as well as those conducted under the Missouri River Recovery Plan (MRRP).

Funding Organization: Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)

Duration: 03/15/2015 to 06/30/2017