A program to be implemented along state and county roads,
making the most of Iowa's 750,000 acre roadside resource.
  

Purpose
 

The Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management (IRVM) program was established by the Iowa Legislature in 1988. This program was designed to preserve, plant, and maintain Iowa's roadsides to be safe, visually interesting, ecologically integrated, and useful for many purposes.

The Hardin County Roadside Program began in 1989. Since then 600 acres have been planted to native vegetation, 400 acres have been control burned to stimulate prairie plants, and the commitment to spot spray has preserved and protected many acres of prairie remnants found in our county’s right of way areas.

The benefits of native vegetation include improved erosion control after native vegetation is established, increased water infiltration due to more extensive root systems minimizing storm runoff, and improved habitat for song birds, game birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. Motorist safety is enhanced by the standing native vegetation in winter which greatly increases the snow-holding capacity of the ditches reducing blowing and drifting snow. The roadside is more aesthetically pleasing with colorful wild flowers in the summer and prairie grasses turning rich colors in the fall.

The Tallgrass Prairie Center at the University of Northern Iowa coordinates the IRVM program statewide. Thirty-nine counties have full-time Roadside Managers.

• Administer sound and stable roadside management practices for Hardin County’s 6,000 acres of right of way areas
• Roadside weed control for state-listed noxious weeds
• Tree and brush clearing
• Reseeding after construction projects
• Provide erosion control practices for vulnerable sites
• Maintaining equipment
• Responding to weed complaints
• Writing grants obtaining state funds for seed and equipment
• Giving public presentations strongly representing county efforts
• Educating landowners to gain their support and cooperation
• Protecting and managing roadside prairie remnants 
  

This information and more can be found at the statewide Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management website.

Cover crop for temporary erosion control.