About Us

Southern Iowa Oak Savanna Alliance (SIOSA) is a non profit organization involved in the preservation and conservation of Iowa’s oak savanna, oak woodland and prairie ecosystem.

SIOSA’s mission is to promote community awareness and restore public and private lands to re-establish the oak savanna landscape that once dominated the countryside more than 50 years ago.

Organized in 2004, SIOSA continues to work in partnership with the public, multiple federal agencies, and conservation authorities to secure funds to enhance Iowa’s natural landscape.

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— Click here for a look at the SIOSA events calendar —

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Click here to view SIOSA Priority Area Map

SIOSA STRATEGIC PLAN

Goal One Conserve Native Ecosystems

- Objective 1: Protect existing oak savanna, remnant prairie and wetlands to preserve native flora and fauna diversity

- Objective 2: Restore degraded oak savanna, remnant prairie and wetlands to preserve increase viable populations of native flora and fauna

- Objective 3: Maintain existing and restored savanna, remnant prairie and wetlands to maintain or increase native flora and fauna populations and diversity and to provide sustainable recreational opportunities for landowners and the general public

- Objective 4: Design all conservation projects to restrict the introduction or spread of invasive species to benefit native ecosystems

Strategies

A) Establish 5-year restoration targets for each priority area

B) Identify quality remnant ecosystems using GIS technology and field research

C) Identify strategic focus areas to grow the program

D) Promote long-term or permanent conservation easements to protect restored and maintained projects

E) Establish a protocol for identifying, monitoring and controlling invasive species on project sites and potential project sites

Goal Two Improve Knowledge of Native Ecosystems

- Objective 1: Communicate effectively through various media

Strategies

A) Submit newspaper articles (local and state-wide) and maintain good website posts (get ISU contractor list on website – link to ISU extension)

B) Share newsletter with other organizations that support ecosystem management

C) Create SIOSA social network page

D) Create programs for youth and youth group

- Objective 2: Provide educational opportunities for various target audiences

Strategies

A) Work towards the development of a learning center

B) Promote workshops for landowners, contractors, partners and congress

- Objective 3: Research temporal and spatial change that occur on restored sites

Strategies

A) Create a standardized methodology for assessing woodland condition prior to and after restoration efforts

B) Review scientific articles of relevance to native ecosystem restoration and management

- Objective 4: Get graduate students involved in restoration efforts

Strategy

A) Find grants, WHIP, REAP, Non Federal Funding

Goal Three Strengthen Network Relations

- Objective 1: Expanding partnerships

Strategies

A) Marketing (woodland associations Iowa coalition for woodlands)

B) Outreach and multi-county/state

- Objective 2: Maintain partnerships

Strategies

A) Create partner links page on the SIOSA website to increase communication and share information on restoration projects, upcoming workshops and research sites

B) Target marketing to specific audiences

C) Increase communication with contractors throughout entire restoration process (planning stages…)

D) Create a forum to increase partner communication

E) Provide annual reports to stakeholders

Goal Four Expanding Funding Sources

- Objective 1: Find multiple sources of sustainable funding

Strategies

A) Find new grant opportunities for restoration funds, educational programs, learning center and paid staff

B) Utilize USDA programs such as WHIP and EQIP for restoration work

C) Utilize REAP funds form the State for restoration and educational activities

- Objective 2: Form a sustainable funding committee

Strategy