Bur Oak Land Trust

Property stewardship: Bur Oak Land Trust owns and manages 12 local areas in Iowa's johnson, muscatine and poweshiek counties totaling 584.56 acres. The Trust also holds 17 conservation easements, totaling 391.03 acres from private landowners who wish to protect their Land in perpetuity. The Trust has a conservation and Land steward who develop management plans for each property in collaboration with an americorps Land stewardship team and volunteers.

Public awareness, education and support: Bur Oak Land Trust staff, board members, volunteers, and americorps members presented to diverse community groups promoting Land conservation and providing educational opportunities. The Trust hosted in-person and online educational and outreach events. The Trust maintains a social media presence through numerous platforms, providing educational content and promoting opportunities. In 2023 public support also included disaster relief efforts in the community.

Land conservation and management: property management plans for fee-owned properties include identification of native and non-native species found on the properties, control of invasive species, and unique management requirements necessary for the protection of endangered, threatened, and species of special concern. Reduction of invasive species will allow for the reestablishment of a more resilient native ecosystem. In 2023, approximately 15,000 hours of active Land management occurred on the Trust's fee-owned properties, with a focus on habitat restoration and improvement. Management techniques and activities included prescribed fire, timber stand improvement and canopy reduction, mechanical removal of invasive species, native seed harvesting and seed spreading, and native shrub and tree planting.