DNR News Releases

Search for a News Release

Press/Media inquiries: PIO@dnr.iowa.gov

DNR News Releases

Archive by tag: KellertonReturn

Iowa’s Prairie Chicken Festival is April 6

• 3/26/2024 11:34:00 AM
• View Count 4030

Kellerton, Iowa – The unique courtship of Iowa’s prairie chickens will be on full display at the Kellerton Grasslands Bird Conservation Area on April 6, during the annual Prairie Chicken Festival, in Ringgold County. The festival will be held at the Kellerton viewing platform, two miles west and one mile south of Kellerton. There is ample parking and the viewing platform is accessible for those with limited mobility.

Annual Prairie Chicken Day Set for April 1, in Kellerton

• 3/14/2023 2:20:00 PM
• View Count 4200

Kellerton, Iowa - The first rhythmic and haunting cooing begins as the night sky fades and sunrise begins. The short grass prairie booming grounds prepares for a display found nowhere else in Iowa.

April 9th | Kellerton Wildlife Area | Prairie-chickens at Dawn!

• 3/21/2022 8:47:00 AM
• View Count 3488

Kellerton, Iowa - The first rhythmic and haunting cooing begins as the night sky fades and sunrise begins. The short grass prairie booming grounds prepares for a display found nowhere else in Iowa.

Prairie Chicken Day is April 4

• 3/12/2020 12:23:00 PM
• View Count 3326

KELLERTON, Iowa - The first rhythmic and haunting cooing can be heard as the night sky fades and sunrise begins. The short grass prairie booming grounds prepares for a display found nowhere else in Iowa.

Prairie Chicken Restoration Efforts in Iowa

• 4/2/2019 2:03:00 PM
• View Count 9846

Greater Prairie Chickens (Tympancichus cupido pinnatus) commonly nested in Iowa until about 1900. In the 1880s prairie chickens were the most abundant gamebird on Iowa’s prairies.

Prairie Chicken Day is April 6

• 3/19/2019 11:50:00 AM
• View Count 3397

Kellerton, Iowa - The first rhythmic and haunting cooing begins as the night sky fades and sunrise begins. The short grass prairie booming grounds prepares for a display found nowhere else in Iowa.

April 7th - Kellerton Wildlife Area, Prairie-chickens at dawn

• 4/3/2018 2:27:00 PM
• View Count 4827

Kellerton, Iowa - The first rhythmic and haunting cooing begins as the night sky fades and sunrise begins. The short grass prairie booming grounds prepares for a display found nowhere else in Iowa.

15th Annual Prairie Chicken Day is April 7

• 3/20/2018 12:58:00 PM
• View Count 5480

Kellerton, Iowa - The first rhythmic and haunting cooing begins as the night sky fades and sunrise begins. The short grass prairie booming grounds prepares for a display found nowhere else in Iowa.

Kellerton Grasslands Named a Globally Important Bird Area

• 12/8/2017 8:12:00 AM
• View Count 3532

In August, Ringgold County’s Kellerton Grasslands Important Bird Area (IBA) was elevated to status of a Globally Important Bird Area (GIBA) by BirdLife International, based in Great Britain, and the National Audubon Society.

Kellerton Grasslands named globally important bird area

• 11/15/2017 9:55:00 AM
• View Count 8269

In August, Ringgold County’s Kellerton Grasslands Important Bird Area (IBA) was elevated to status of a Globally Important Bird Area (GIBA) by BirdLife International, based in Great Britain, and the National Audubon Society.  

Upcoming Outdoor Events

• 3/21/2017 12:00:00 PM
• View Count 4286

Attend these exciting outdoors events in Iowa.

13th Annual Prairie Chicken Day April 2

• 3/22/2016 8:34:00 AM
• View Count 6411

Kellerton, Iowa - The Kellerton Grasslands Bird Conservation Area in southeast Ringgold County will be the site for the 13th annual Prairie Chicken Day on April 2, beginning at 6 a.m., at the booming ground viewing platform.

Cool Things You Should Know About Prairie Chickens

• 4/2/2015 10:22:00 AM
• View Count 17321

Early in April, eerie, hollow booming reverberates over a field near Kellerton, the last remnant of greater prairie chicken habitat in Iowa. Go to the lek, or breeding ground, to hear the males begin their courtship rituals. Watch as they shrink and expand leathery orange sacs on each side of their necks to make the haunting sounds that hens love.