Cicada Research Project at Upper Iowa University

One of the goals within the ICC Strategic Plan is to be supportive of educational projects that involve the wide variety of species within the ecosystems that sustain our coldwater rivers and streams.  In April of 2023, we responded to a grant request from Dr. Rich Walker, PhD., Assistant Professor of Fisheries Biology at Upper Iowa University (UIU), for a student research project.  UIU’s Conservation Management and Science & Environment Club will be conducting research to evaluate the availability, use, and benefits of the Periodical Cicadas to fish in the Driftless Region of Iowa and Wisconsin.  This rare event only happens every seventeen years!  ICC sent a grant of $150 to help purchase sampling nets for students to use in their research.  We are also encouraging other partners to step up and join us in support of this unique research opportunity for students.