May 25, Saturday, 6:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Big Sand Mound Nature Preserve in Louisa County.
This preserve is rarely open to the public, but we have special permission to visit and survey wildlife species.  Targets include breeding birds like Blue Grosbeak, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Northern Mockingbird, and reptiles like Box Turtles, Racers, Hognose Snakes, and Racerunner Lizards.  With 510 acres owned by two companies, the preserve includes open prairies, sand barrens, shallow ponds, and woodlands. Expect some strenuous walking over the sandy and/or forested, gently rolling terrain. Our tour guides are Mark Brown from ICBC and Adam Rudisill from Bayer Company. 

To carpool, meet Mark at 6:30 in the parking lot of The Highlander Hotel, 2525 Highlander Place, Iowa City. Or meet  on-site at 7:30 in the preserve parking lot at the Bayer Rec Building. From this pin 41.34828995156906,  -91.10013814445354 follow the road east then south then east to the Rec Building and parking lot.
Preserve info: https://www.midamericanenergy.com/articles/big-sand-mound.