Naturalist's Corner - Climate Change

If you are a person who loves getting into nature -whether a hiker, gardener, kayaker, canoeist, biker, hunter, golfer, boater or other outdoor enthusiast - it isn't  a surprise to note how our climate is changing despite those who deny the exisitence of this threat to our spaceship earth. So it was with great interest that I read our guest naturalist Melissa Hermsen's article in the summer issue of the Rattlesnake Buzz newsletter. The Buzz is a quarterly publication of the Allamakeee County (IA) Conservation Board and Driftless Area Education and Visitor's Center based in Lansing IA.

Here is a bit about Melissa: "Melissa Hermsen is the Assistant Naturalist/Office Manager for the Allamakee County Conservation Board, based in Lansing, Iowa. She is originally from Dubuque, and worked there as a seasonal naturalist in previous summers as she studied Environmental Science at the University of Iowa. Melissa loves everything Driftless, especially relating to the area's unique geology, and is also passionate about sustainability, biology, and education."

You can read more about what the Conservation board and visitor Center offers at their website. This article is reprinted with permission.

Climate Change at Home

by Melissa Hermsen

Climate Central IA Trends

On average, Winter and fall have warmed up 

more thanspring and summer in Iowa.

Climate change is happening. It’s happening now, it’s affecting us, and we (humans) caused it. According to the 2024 Yale Climate Opinion survey, 71% of Iowans believe that climate change will harm future generations, but only 37% think it will harm them personally. While it’s true that Iowa has no melting glaciers or rising sea levels, climate change has already started affecting our temperatures and precipitation patterns, making life more difficult for humans and wildlife alike.

Heating Up
Iowa is, on average, about 1.5 degrees warmer today than it was in the 1980’s. The most dramatic change has been between December-February, 4 degrees warmer on average. While these numbers hardly seem significant, the Earth has only warmed about 10-12 degrees since the height of the last ice age. Warmer winters may feel more comfortable for humans, but they are also more welcoming to weeds, diseases, and pests.

Moisture Madness
Heavy precipitation in Iowa has already been increasing, primarily in winter and spring, and will continue to increase flooding events. Leafy plant cover intercepts rain, slowing it down before it hits the earth, and roots anchor soil in place. Heavier rains earlier in the year, when plants are small and trees are just starting to leaf out, means more soil lost to erosion and more fertilizer leached from fields. This affects all Iowans, as runoff decreases water quality in streams for humans and wildlife. When rain quickly runs off the land, it is not able to absorb deeply into the soil or recharge aquifers.

Dying From Drought
Spring may bring heavier rains, but droughts are also expected to worsen in the midsummer heat. With more extreme summer temperatures on the way, livestock and humans will experience dangerous heat stress. Drought conditions also increase the occurrence and severity of wildfires. The fire itself isn’t the only concern---smoke traveling from hundreds of miles away can worsen Iowa air quality and pose dangers to children and the elderly.

Make A Difference
There is one thing that we absolutely must do more of: talk about climate change. Talk about weather patterns you’re noticing, how things have changed over the years, worries you have for the future, and steps you’d like to take to make things better. There are also number of changes we can make in our own lives to reduce our energy use, both small and large. These habits are good for us, too---they save us money on fuel and electricity. Personal lifestyle changes alone cannot fix the climate crisis, but they help prepare us for a lower-energy future.

For the record, I’m far from perfect. Change is difficult, and sometimes there are upfront costs before the savings hit. However, this summer I’m trying out a new adventure: biking to work. I recently got a new (used) bicycle and went on my first ride in about eight years!