This project, priority monitoring, research and habitat management activities to conserve the eastern massasauga rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, and plain-bellied watersnake will facilitate…

The Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Region 3 awarded the Iowa Department of Natural Resources $333,334 on January 1, 2026, under the State Wildlife Grants program (CFDA 15.634) to fund priority monitoring, research, and habitat management activities to conserve the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, Timber Rattlesnake, and Plain-Bellied Watersnake across Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

The award funds collaborative conservation of three at-risk snake species, each designated as a species of greatest conservation need and holding state-protected status (endangered or threatened) in one or more of the three partnering states. Eastern Massasauga is state-endangered in all three states; Timber Rattlesnake is state-threatened in Illinois and a species of greatest conservation need in Iowa and Wisconsin; Plain-Bellied Watersnake is state-endangered in Iowa. The project addresses habitat loss, population isolation, persecution, and wildlife disease (snake fungal disease) as primary conservation threats.

Performance extends through December 31, 2028, with place of performance in Iowa.

Two sub-recipients deliver work under the award. The Nature Conservancy will increase suitable habitat for Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake and conduct population monitoring and sample collection from captured snakes. Iowa State University of Science and Technology will execute priority monitoring, research, and habitat management activities across all three target species.

This project, priority monitoring, research and habitat management activities to conserve the eastern massasauga rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, and plain-bellied watersnake will facilitate collaborative conservation of at-risk snakes in three midwestern states (iowa, illinois, and wisconsin). As effective predators, snakes play a crucial role in maintaining biological diversity. These carnivorous reptiles help control populations of small mammals, amphibians, invertebrates, and even fish. The presence of snakes also influences the behavior and distribution of other species. Recognizing and preserving these ecologically important species is essential to maintaining overall ecosystem health. Habitat loss, population isolation, persecution, and wildlife disease are considered the major threats to snake populations. Development of the landscape for intensive human use beginning in the 19TH century (e.g., expansive agricultural and urban development) fragmented and isolated wildlife populations, especially species with limited dispersal abilities such as snakes. Persecution fueled by fear led to further declines in many snake populations. More recently many snake species have been threatened by an emerging disease caused by a fungal {ophidiomyces ophiodiicola) infection (snake fungal disease; SFD). This combination of threats continues to impact snake populations in the midwest. The species targeted in this project are each considered at-risk in one or more of the partnering states. Eastern massasauga (EMR) is a species of greatest conservation need (sgcn) and state endangered in all three states, timber rattlesnake (crho) is a sgcn and state threatened in illinois (and a sgcn in IA and WI), and in iowa the plain-bellied snake (neer) is a sgcn and state endangered. The 'recovery plan for the eastern massasauga rattlesnake (sistrurus catenatus)' (USFWS 2021) outlines a strategy focused on the management and protection of key populations to maintain adaptive diversity across range of the species. Vegetational succession, habitat fragmentation, and habitat loss or modification were identified as the primary risk factors for EMR. Three conservation units with independent recovery objectives were delineated based on regional differences in genetics, selective pressures, and threats. Recovery within a conservation unit is dependent on the number of robust populations that occur and having appropriate long-term management commitments for their habitats that address key threats. The partnering states contain all known extant populations in the eastern massasauga's western conservation unit. The largest of these in each state is being targeted for action. The objectives within our project will directly address 9 of 16 recovery actions identified in the recovery plan by conducting habitat management (objective 1), improving our understanding of genetic diversity (objective 2.1), monitoring key populations (objective 2.3), and investigating disease risk (objective 3). In addition, timber rattlesnake (crho) conservation will also be addressed within the project by examining the genetic status of at least one key population (iowa). Illinois and wisconsin will collaborate on the genetic assessment by providing sample material of individuals from their states to iowa. The genetic status of the plain-bellied watersnake (neer) will also be examined in iowa.