The Linn Soil and Water Conservation District (Linn SWCD) is a legal subdivision of the State of Iowa that promotes sustainable agricultural practices to protect the land and water in Linn County, Iowa. Linn SWCD is also active in urban settings, promoting conservation practices for homeowners, developers, and communities.
Mission Statement
To promote environment stewardship, good land and water management and conservation practices on both rural and urban landscapes through leadership, service and community education and involvement.
District Brochure
Pheasants Forever Adds New Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist
New biologist helping to improve pheasant and wildlife habitat in Jones, Johnson and Linn Counties.
Pheasants Forever announces the hiring of Jeff Potts, a new Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist (FBB’s) to assist landowners in Jones, Johnson and Linn Counties. Pheasants Forever FBB's are specialized consultants in conservation programs and habitat planning. These wildlife biologists assist landowners in designing, developing, and funding habitat improvements on private lands. FBB’s possess the knowledge of federal, state, and local programs to assist landowners in finding the right program to meet their personal habitat and land use goals. Through a unique partnership, FBB’s are located in local USDA service centers in priority habitat areas throughout the pheasant range. This position is possible because of the contributions of local PF Chapters, Soil & Water Conservation Districts and other state and federal partners.
Most recently, Potts worked as a Pheasants Forever FBB in southwestern North Dakota. Potts grew up in south-central Minnesota, and earned his degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from South Dakota State University. Prior to joining Pheasants Forever, Potts was an integral member of the habitat and fisheries teams at South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks.
One of the programs that landowners may be currently interested in is CP-38 SAFE (Gaining Ground). CP-38 SAFE is a continuous conservation reserve program (CCRP) practice. This practice is designed to increase populations of ring-necked pheasants, dickcissels, bobolinks and eastern meadowlarks by establishing large blocks of grassland habitat. This practice is available in all but two counties (Clayton and Allamakee) near existing protected habitats. To be eligible landowners need to establish native grasses and forbs in at least a 10 acre block, unless adjacent to existing habitat, on ground with cropping history. This practice is eligible for both a practice incentive payment and signup incentive payment in addition to standard CRP cost-share and rental payments. These acres are available on a “first-come, first-serve” basis and will be available until all acres are contracted. Currently 2267 acres remain available. You can inquire about this opportunity at your local USDA service center or by contacting Jeff Potts.
Potts will be happy to meet with interested landowners to discuss their goals, develop a wildlife management plan and assist with implementation and management practices to maintain the project. Jeff is available at jpotts@pheasantsforever.org or 319-377-5960.