Prairie Learning Center

Reflective Images ... Fine Art Nature Photography

© Gary D.Tonhouse 1997-2008

1. Iowa was once covered with how many acres of Tallgrass Prairie? It is estimated that Iowa once had over 30 million acres of prairie lands. Today,only 1/10 of one percent of those of those original acres are remaining. The prairies here in Iowa are truly and ENDANGERED species.

2.  What year did the free roaming buffalo disappear in Iowa?  The last  record of  buffalo here in Iowa was in the year of 1870. Today, you will only find Buffalo in zoo's, private collections or on N.F. and Wildlife Refuges.  (Walnut Creek Learning Center ) Prairie City, Iowa.  
There are no more free roaming Buffalo here in Iowa.  

3.  Elk were also free roaming in the state of Iowa. What year did they disappear from the Iowa landscape? The last Elk in  Iowa were the 200 or so  that was located near the head waters of Rock and Little Sioux rivers in Osecola County. They disappeared from the Iowa landscape in 1871.
The only Elk in the state now are in the hands of private individuals and the Walnut Creek Wildlife Refuge has  introduced a few on their lands near Prairie City, Iowa.

4.  Was pheasant a native upland bird on the prairies in Iowa?  No. They were accidentally introduced in the state when a severe  wind storm blew down the holding pens on a game  farm near Cedar Falls. The year was 1900 -1901.  Today, the Ringneck Pheasants thrive in the state of Iowa. The Ringneck Pheasant  has adapted to the harsh  winters and to the ever changing climate that we have here Iowa.

5.  What Federal Endangered Species is pollinated by the Long-Tongued HawkMoth?
The plant is the Western Prairie Fringed Orchid and is quite rare in the state of  Iowa.
CLICK ON THE NAME OF PLANT AND FIND OUT MORE.
     
6. What is the name of the largest prairie preserve the Nature Conservancy of Iowa manages in Iowa? Broken Kettle Grasslands. This preserver covers 1467 acres in northwestern Iowa. It is located in the northern part of the Loess Hills.

7. Doolittle Prairie is one of the largest preserve sites that the state of Iowa owns. This a false statement. Doolittle Prairie encompasses about 25 acres. It is located in Story County, just south of Story City, Iowa.

8. What National Wildlife Refuge here in Iowa has Buffalo? Walnut Creek National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge is located just south of Prairie City, Iowa. The refuge has also added Elk in their 700 acrea enclosure.

9. Why is fire and important tool in the management of our Prairie landscapes? Fire helps reduce woody vegetation and also helps rejuvenate the soils.

10. What time of the year does the Pasque flower bloom? The Pasque flower is one of the first flowers to bloom on our prairie landscapes. It will start to bloom in late March to about the middle of April. This all depends upon the weather conditions.

11. Early settlers and Native Americans used the roots of the Prairie Smoke plant for what purpose? They made a tea that  was used to help the symptoms of colic and to reduce fevers.

12.What are some of the flowers that bloom on the small piece of prairie at the Polk City Cemetary? Cone Flowers, Lead Plant, Butterfly Milkweed, Spider Wort, Prickly Pear, Wild Four O'Clocks. These are just a few of the plants that bloom at this location. Great area to observe and to photograph a small prairie.

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