IBA Site Information

Dewey's Pasture BCA

Joint IBA/BCA

Palo Alto County

Directions: From US Highway 18 between Spncer and Emmetsburg, turn north on County Highway N18 approximately 1/2 mile west of Ruthven. N18 passes Barriger Slough, Lost Island Lake and bisects the center of the Dewey's Pasture-Smith's Slough-Trumbell Lake wetlands complex. There are numerours parking areas, turn-offs and other places for easy observation of birds.

Description: One of Iowa's most historic prairie pothole wetland areas, Dewey's Pasture WMA is a National Natural Landmark. Its abundant marshes, shallow lakes and extensive grasslands offer significant nesting, feeding and migration staging habitatfor waterfowl, shorebirds and others. Cryptic marshbirds nest on the marhes, and uplands offer nesting habitat for a number of declining neotropical migrants. It also is a candidate for future DNR designation as a nationally significant Bird Conservation Area.

Criteria for this site
Endangered or threatened species habitat
High conservation priority
Rare or unique habitat
Significant species concentrations
Research and monitoring

Habitats found in this site
Wetland
Grassland
Riparian

Ownership
County
State
Federal