October Science on the Menu – Blanding’s Turtles

Join us for an evening of wine, food, and Blanding’s turtles! Drew Howing of Iowa Lakes Community College will be discussing the methods, partnerships, and research necessary for protecting this unique and elusive species!

Blanding’s turtles are one of Iowa’s most cryptic and unknown reptile species. Current research conducted in resident marshes and streams has found that there may be some hope in the midst of great concern for this state-threatened species. Drew Howing, an Associate Professor of Environmental Studies at Iowa Lakes Community College, has spent the last 3 years detecting, capturing, and marking Blanding’s turtles. In the Spring of 2021, Howing placed 25 radio transmitters on turtles across three different populations to help guide IA DNR to perform best management practices on a population level. These efforts are only possible through the multitude of individuals, organizations, and volunteers that have joined Howing in working to preserve this beautiful part of Iowa’s wildlife legacy for future generations.