ITC Midwest - Wanatee Park (formerly Squaw Creek Park)

About the Program
ITC Holdings Wanatee Park Transmission Line Corridor is a right-of-way (ROW) located in Marion, approximately eight miles northeast of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The 20-acre project area is situated in Wanatee Creek Park and bordered by mixed hardwood forest on both sides of the ROW. The conservation objective for this project is to improve biodiversity and enhance wildlife habitat through restoring native prairie and management of invasive species within the grassland.

Practices and Impacts

• The team follows scientific protocols to conduct annual vegetation surveys to identify native species and map invasive species. Data is used to develop and adapt the invasive species management plan.
• The grassland is managed through chemical and mechanical methods. Herbicide is used to treat invasive species including poison hemlock, a plant toxic to people and animals.
• Environmental consultants aid in vegetation management to reduce invasive plants within the ROW. The ITC team coordinates their efforts with park managers from Linn County Conservation.
• The project has demonstrated success with enhancing the grassland. Since 2015, native plant species documented increased from 30 to over 70 species. Wildlife continues to be observed using the habitat.