Prairie City to Atlantic, Iowa

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Sunday, June 6th

We drive to the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge at Prairie City, Iowa. The Learning Center at the refuge explains how the natural prairie is being restored through controlled fires, the re-introduction of native species, and the eradication of invasive plant species. We follow a self-guided driving tour which shows specific techniques being used to restore the prairie. A herd of bison and other animals have been brought to the refuge as part of the prairie restoration.

As we have traveled through the Midwest, we have stopped at several sites where the prairie ecosystems are being restored. Only about one percent of the natural prairie still remains, but many universities, wildlife refuges, national parks and nonprofits such as Nature Conservancy and the Audubon Society have stepped in to preserve what remains and to restore grazed land as close as possible to its original state.

We now head for Atlantic, where Leigh was born, to visit with his relatives and to revisit many memories.

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Photos

Prairie Learning Center
The Neal Smith interpretive center has an excellent exhibit about prairie ecology.

Prairie Grasses
Natural prairie has a combination of several grasses native to that particular area.

Wildflowers
There is also a wide variety of flowering plants including the wild rose.

Oak Savannah
The oak savannah, found close to streams, is an important part of the prairie ecosystem.

Reeds and wetlands
Wetlands, reeds and potholes are also an important part of the native prairie .

Clouds
Clouds, with their promise of rain, are always a dramatic part of the prairie landscape.