Name: Monitoring Ken Park Bluebirds—Learning the Hard Way
Start: 2026-03-08T14:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-03-08T16:00:00-05:00
Location: Iowa City Public Library

$Monitoring Ken Park Bluebirds\u2014Learning the Hard Way$

Bird populations are facing a massive decline, with North America losing nearly 3 billion birds since 1970, driven primarily by habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, and collisions, affecting common species and all habitats, especially grasslands, though focused wetland conservation shows success for water birds. The loss of insect-eating birds highlights ecosystem-wide issues, signaling a critical threat to biodiversity that requires urgent, proactive conservation.
The public is invited to hear from Ben Rowold, Johnson County Conservation volunteer and Bluebird monitor, who will present “Monitoring Ken Park Bluebirds—Learning the Hard Way” at the Project GREEN Second Sunday Garden Forum on Sunday, March 8, at 2 p.m. at the Iowa City Public Library.
Rowold combined his lifelong interest in nature with hands-on stewardship to tend the bluebird next box trail at F.W. Kent Park, where he has supervised this vital conservation effort for 11 seasons. As an Iowa Master Naturalist, Rowold serves on the board of directors of this 501c3 nonprofit organization.
Within a span of a few months, Johnson County and the City of Iowa City both earned the High Flyer status – the highest designation available from initial Bird Friendly Iowa applications. Johnson County Conservation was recognized last fall, and the Iowa City Bird Club helped secure a Bird Friendly Community designation for Iowa City in January this year.
The National Audubon Society reports the bird decline signals a broader crisis in the natural world already echoed by global losses in insects, amphibians, and other wildlife. Our quality of life—the water we drink, the food we eat, and the beauty of natural landscapes that we enjoy—all depend on keeping our planet healthy. Conservation actions work, and there is no time to lose.
Attendance at garden forums qualifies Iowa State University Extension Master Gardeners for continuing education hours.
Project GREEN and the Iowa City Public Library have partnered for many years to offer educational forums. Project GREEN garden forums are free and open to the public. The presentation will also stream live on the Iowa City Public Library’s YouTube channel, The Library Channel.