MIU Conservation Idea
Harmony with All the Laws of Nature: MIU Conservation Idea
Harmony with All the Laws of Nature: MIU Conservation Idea
By Christian Sorflaten, Alumnus
Iowa Beavercorp Representative
MIU Rec Technician
What is the benefit of placing MIU’s Crow Creek into conservation?
Placing flood-prone lowlands into permanent conservation is a great way to
accept over $500,000 in compensation, improve beauty, function, low
maintenance, economical, sustainable, ecological, and educational.
Compensation
- From B Street to the solar array is the MIU campus Crow Creek floodplain. This area is calculated to be about 50 acres. At an estimated market rate of $10,000 an acre, this conservation agreement is expected to garner over $500,000 for MIU.
- Even more funding is available if, for example, the MIU Sustainability Department is interested in performing and maintaining the restoration.
- Structures and farming will be limited, but this land is not used anyway, because it's a floodplain.
Natural Beauty
- Natural beauty can only exist how nature intended: creek connected, seasonal wetlands.
- Wetland wildflowers, rare migratory birds, turtles, frogs, will naturally return.
- In mornings, a misty fog will blanket cool waters.
Harmony with Nature: Functionality
- Creek-connected wetlands provide wildlife corridors, an increasingly popular practice in ecology and sustainability. Many MIU classes and studies could enjoy this feature.
- Upstream and downstream neighbors will see this potential fulfilled and follow suit.
- Mosquitos and biting bugs will be reduced, due to increased dragonfly habitat.
- Emergent vegetation improves water quality and clarity.
- MIU could become even more world famous, for being the first university to promote conservation, of this scale, on campus.
- Beavers will no longer have to be trapped and removed regularly from MIU campus. Some trees will get eaten by beavers. Many willow trees will be planted by beavers. Other trees will have to be protected.
Design
-
Four seasonal wetlands are projected:
 1. By the solar array
 2. Between the solar array and Highway 1
 3. Between Highway 1 and the Rec Center
 4. Between the Rec Center and B Street - Students can walk across campus on elevated walkways and hang out at the ponds, like we did in the 90s.
- A boat launch at MIU Rec could let students explore the cool wetlands on hot summer days.
1. Floodplain by MIU solar array, upstream from the bike trail.
2. Floodplain between HWY 1 and the bike trail.
