View the 2023 state conservation report for Iowa.
Iowa is part of the Mississippi Flyway and provides important migration habitat for waterfowl that are produced in the Prairie Pothole Region.
Almost all of Iowa's wetlands have been drained, except for the state's shallow lakes. Each fall and spring, these shallow lakes are sought out by migrating waterfowl and other water birds looking to rest and restore energy reserves before beginning the next leg of their journey.
Iowa water resources are in such short supply that shallow lakes are in high demand for recreational uses, such as fishing and water skiing. Developing shallow lakes for recreation generally brings higher water levels and rough fish, which degrades the lake and destroys waterfowl habitat.
DU works in Iowa through its Living Lakes initiative to restore this important habitat, one lake at a time. Your support of DU will help us achieve that goal.