(Atlantic) Atlantic is celebrating 21 winters of the Trumpeter Swans. Cass County Naturalist Lora Kanning says the Schildberg Recreation Area proved to be a great spot to winter.
Kanning says Trumpeter Swans have been endangered since the Federal Endangered Species Act was passed in 1966. The population of these swans was less than 2000 when they were first placed on the list. From 1850 to 1998, the swans were extirpated from the state. Between zoos and wildlife populations, the swans have been brought back with the help of science. A reintroduction process was started in 1998 and today, the migration flies through Iowa.
Once the swans continued to visit Schildberg Recreation Area, the Cass County Conservation Staff created a public program to allow community members to view the swans.
Soiree with the Swans is on Saturday, January 9th at Schildberg Recreation Area-Lake 4 in Atlantic. Staff will be giving ten-minute presentations regarding the Trumpeter Swans every half-hour beginning at 11:00 a.m. with the last one being presented at 2:00 p.m. As Kanning previously mentioned, there will be time to view the swans through spotting scopes and witness random swan feeding sessions. Hot chocolate, cookies, and other snacks will be provided free of charge with donations being accepted for swan care.
The Schildberg Recreation Area is located on the northwest edge of Atlantic, Lake 4 is on the north side of highway 83. If the weather is inclement or the swans are not at the park, the program will be cancelled. This event is being sponsored by the Cass County Conservation Board, Atlantic Parks and Recreation, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
