Bank Swallow Bend Wildlife Area

Discover Bank Swallow Bend Wildlife Area in Ackworth

Bank Swallow Bend — named for the bank swallow colony that lives in the banks of the South River which bisects the area — is a 542-acre wetland and upland complex, providing habitat for diverse wildlife.  It offers a variety of public uses, including hunting, fishing, hiking, and wildlife watching. The property is part of the Federal Wetlands Reserve Program, designed to keep flood-prone areas out of development. The area provides critical winter cover for local wildlife. Migrating waterfowl, especially in the spring, use the area heavily.

Bank Swallow Bend is the result of over two-years work by a wide-ranging public-private partnership including the INHF, Pheasants Forever (without the persistence and generosity of the Warren County Chapter, this project would not have happened), the Wildlife Habitat Stamp Fund and Iowa DNR, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (a Federal program), Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP, a state program), and Ducks Unlimited.