Blue Heron Headwaters Conservancy

Land protection and stewardship activities including meeting and/or working with landowners, state environmental quality personnel, and local government personnel. The conservancy evaluates land tracts in order to identify the parcels which are the most valuable for conservation purposes and performs stewardship activities to maintain protected sites. Stewardship activities include property inspections, clearing invasives, planting native plants and trees, clearing brush, trail maintenance, providing signage and much more.

A successful Land Capital Campaign which began in 2019 resulted in the purchase of a second contiguous property earmarked for protection of the globally endangered Poweshiek Skipperling butterfly as well as supporting two other endangered species. A match donation was received in 2022 based on previous year campaign efforts. The organization has spent significant time on stewardship activities with a focus on reintroducing the native plants required for the butterfly to reproduce.

The Conservancy engages in public outreach and educational activities to inform the public of the need for land preservation in order to build a conservation commitment to the environment. This includes maintaining native plant demonstration gardens, manning booths at various events, speaking at local organizations, collaborating with youth groups, distributing printed material, etc.