Feedback on Macbride Nature Recreation Area - barn owl location

[Jesse Ellis]

Hey folks-

The University of Iowa is considering changes in management (possibly vacating their lease from the Army Corps of Engineers) of the Macbride Nature Recreation Area. This is a great area of natural habitat, and also includes the Iowa Raptor Project, where a few years ago a male Barn Owl made news courting a rehabbed captive female. This was a cool record and probably a state bird for a lot of folks who visited. Their bird blind by their feeders often has wintering Purple Finches and in some years a Red-breasted Nuthatch.

There has been no public forum on this, despite the area being open to the public. The Gazette now has an article about the potential for changes (https://www.thegazette.com/higher-education/university-of-iowa-seeking-public-feedback-on-macbride-nature-area-use-lease/). Feedback can be emailed to MNRA-f...@uiowa.edu. Please be courteous and supportive.

I encourage anyone who supports the Iowa Raptor Center and enjoys the MacBride Nature Center to let the University know. Alternative outcomes aren't clear, to be honest - I have no idea what the Army Corps would do with it. I do have concerns that the Iowa Raptor Project would have to move; who knows how that would play out and what public programming and opportunities they might still be able to provide. At the least the University needs to know that the public appreciates the opportunities at MacBride.

Jesse Ellis

Coe College

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Jesse Ellis