Hartman Osprey Project and Wildlife Adventures
Hartman Reserve Nature Center, Black Hawk County
Sunday, November 5, 2023
Nesting osprey were rare in Iowa until the
last 20-25 years when the Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin Departments of Natural
Resources partnered with area County Conservation Boards and other
organizations in an attempt to grow the osprey population. The program involved
moving osprey chicks from Wisconsin locations to hacking towers in Iowa, one of
which was located at Hartman Reserve Nature Center. The Hartman Reserve tower
released four osprey per year from 1997-2005.
The program was considered successful because osprey raised
in Iowa have returned to the Cedar Valley after wintering in warmer climates
and their population is growing. Former Black Hawk County Conservation
Executive Director Vern Fish and Jeff Wilson of the Wisconsin DNR will detail
the program at a special event on November 5 at 1:00 PM in the Community Room
at Hartman Reserve. Program volunteers were instrumental in the care and
feeding of the chicks and continue to be part of the program as they monitor
nesting sites. If anyone was involved in the osprey program at Hartman, they
are invited to join in the discussion.
Jeff will also share engaging stories of his work with the
Wisconsin DNR, from tales of tangos with bears, being called The Loon Ranger,
rare wildlife observations, and more. He recently published a memoir, Wrong
Tree: Adventures in Wildlife Biology. His wife, Terry Daulton, is an
accomplished artist and was the illustrator for the book. Jeff and Terry will
have copies of the book and prints of the illustrations available for purchase
at the event.
This event is free and registration is not required. Hartman
Reserve Nature Center is located at 657 Reserve Dr. in Cedar Falls. Any
questions about this event can be directed to Hartman staff at 319-277-2187.
