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News

Breweries on the Byways

5/12/2023

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If you are looking for a local craft brew to try as you explore one of western Iowa's scenic byways, you're in luck as there are several located on or near the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, Western Skies Scenic Byway, and Glacial Trail Scenic Byway. Take a look at our list below, check out each brewery's website for their menu and tap room hours, and then make plans for a weekend trip. And, of course, drink responsibly!

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Carroll Brewing Company
226 East 5th Street, Carroll 51401


Carroll Brewing Company is a production brewery and taproom located in Carroll, with the steadfast values, humble work ethic, and genuine personality of cities like Carroll all over the Midwest.

​The Carroll Red is their most popular beer on Untappd. It's a well-balanced American red ale from the heartland with a deep amber/red hue and hints of caramely-breadiness.

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​Farmhand Brewing Company
101 Main St, Earling 51530

Farmhand Brewing Company is ocated on the corner of Main Street in Earling, just as you turn off the highway. The brewery is a big red building, can't miss it!

Their most popular beer is the Cody Red, a tribute to a friend who passed away too soon. A classic Irish Red, dark with a red hue. As of April 14, 2023, Farmhand has a different red ale on tap, the Rex Red, which is a hopped Irish red ale. The tap room is only open on Friday and Saturday.

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​Full Fledged Brewing Company
40 Arena Way Suite 2, Council Bluffs 51501

Full Fledged became Council Bluffs' first craft brewery when it opened in 2019. The tap room is open every day except Mondays. Their beers have gained the notoriety of judges in international beer competitions. 

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​Jackson Street Brewing
607 5th St, Sioux City 51101

A small, humble, mighty family-owned brewery operating since 2015. Their location in downtown Sioux City is open every day except Mondays. Jackson Street brews several varieties of their own hand-crafted seasonal ales, porters, fruit beers from their orchard harvests, and stouts.

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​Marto Brewing Company
930 4th St, Sioux City 51101

Whether you're looking for thirst-quenching craft beer or mouth watering appetizers, entrées and desserts, Marto Brewing Company has got you covered!  Their tap room is open every day. Check out our outdoor patio area. At Marto, you'll find the classics alongside new modern styles. They are into hazy IPAs, wild fermented sours, and massive barrel-aged stouts. Most beers are available in 4 pack cans

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​Brioux City Brewing
1306 Court St, Sioux City 51105

​Brioux City Brewery began when Marty's Tap owner Kelly Quinn and home brewing friend Matt Hubert decided to take their home brewing hobby to the next level, making use of a 150 square foot kitchen in local neighborhood bar and Sioux City staple Marty's Tap and cramming it with as much brewing equipment as possible.

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​Keg Creek Brewing Company
22381 221st S, Glenwood 51534

Founded in 2011, Keg Creek set up their first brewing operation in the basement of a house that backed up to Keg Creek and called themselves the Keg Creek Homebrewers. ​In 2016, they moved to a new 15-barrel location south of Glenwood that has allowed Keg Creek to increase production dramatically. Keg Creek currently distributes eight canned beer varieties in more than 100 outlets throughout the Midwest! In 2017, the Brewers Association named Keg Creek Brewing #18 among the 50 fastest-growing small and independent craft breweries in the United States.

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The Iowa Project Brewing Company
316 Grand Ave, Spencer 51301

The Iowa Project Brewing Company is a small micro-brewery and taproom located in downtown Spencer, north of the Glacial Trail Scenic Byway in Clay County.
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Wise I Brewing Company
15 2nd St NE, Le Mars, IA 51031

Recognized by the Iowa Brewer’s Guild as the 100th brewery in Iowa and Plymouth County’s first commercial micro-brewery. Wise I Brewing Company was born out of a love of delicious craft beverages and the desire to bring them to the masses.  As for the name, we were inspired by a variety of sources.  From Ida B. Wise, an Iowan directly involved with the temperance and prohibition movement in the early part of the century, to the state of Iowa and paying homage through the golden “I” in our logo, and of course our consortium of Wise followers joining us in our quest for the holy grail.

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Botany on the Byways: Ground Plum

5/12/2023

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Astragalus crassicarpus
The Dakota call this plant pte ta wote, meaning "buffalo food," and ate the fleshy fruit fresh off the plant. To the Omaha and Ponca, it is tdika shande or wamide wenigthe, meaning "something to go with seed." They use it to prepare corn seed for planting. The Pawnee eat it to quench their thirst. The Lakota use the edible fruit as horse medicine. Although the fruit is edible, the rest of the ground plum plant is toxic.
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Ground plum​​ is found on dry to gravelly prairies and Loess Hills prairies. The fruit dries out by midsummer, so find it before to eat raw, cooked, or pickled; ground plum begins fruiting in late May. The raw fruit might not be appetizing to most, but if cooked it tastes like green beans. Make sure you identify the plant correctly, as there are species that look similar but are completely toxic. The pinkish purple flowers begin showing from early to late May.
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Hiking the Glacial Trail Scenic Byway: Buena Vista County

5/10/2023

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Buena Vista County lies in the southeastern corner of the four counties that the Glacial Trail Scenic Byway crosses. Buena Vista County Conservation manages 16 areas containing over 1,145 acres of parks, refuges, historic sites and natural areas. The areas include developed park and wildlife areas where the public can enjoy camping, hiking, picnicking, boating, fishing, hunting, trapping, bird watching, and other outdoors activities. The Nature Conservancy also manages several tracts of land in the county, although Brown's Prairie is the only one open to the public. Continue reading about hiking opportunities in Buena Vista County and start planning a day hike to this quiet, tranquil country of rolling prairie.
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Buena Vista County Conservation Park

Manager: Buena Vista Conservation
Location:
377 440th Street, Petersen
Trails: Yes
Camping: Yes
Amenities: Toilets, showers, picnic shelters, playground, shelter houses, arboretum
Dogs: Yes
Hunting: Bow hunting only during deer bow season
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Click to download the PDF map
This park is just off the Glacial Trails Scenic Byway on 400th Street, 2 miles east of M-27 in the beautiful Little Sioux River Valley of northwest Buena Vista County. Buena Vista Park offers multiple camping areas, cabin and lodge overnight rental facilities, day-use shelter, arboretum, prairie grass plantings, and miles of trails through woodland areas for visitors to explore.
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Sturchler Pit Area

​Manager: Buena Vista Conservation
Location: 620th Street, Newell
Trails: Yes
Camping: No
Amenities: Pit toilet, swimming beach, playground, picnic shelters
Dogs: Yes
Hunting: No.
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No map is available
​The former 120 acre gravel pit area has been developed and contains picnic shelters, pit toilet, and playground equipment. Several plots of prairie grass have been established. The lake provides excellent deep pond fishing.  No firearms or bows and arrows are allowed but deer and pheasants can be driven. ​There is a trail for hiking available around the pit
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Brown's Prairie

​Manager: The Nature Conservancy
Location: Peterson, IA 51047
Trails: No official trails
Camping: No
Amenities: abc
Dogs: No
Hunting: No

​In the Glacial Hills area, north of Storm Lake and southwest of Spencer near the Little Sioux River Valley, Browns’ Prairie is an important tract in one of the largest areas of native grassland left in the state. 
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Located within more then 3,000 contiguous acres of prairie in the Little Sioux Valley region, the property provides habitat for wildflowers, butterflies and grassland nesting birds. This particular tract of land was historically pastured, but much of the native grass has survived. A special feature of the tract is a small, crystal-clear, spring-fed steam that meanders through it.

Browns' Prairie is level to steeply rolling. Care should be exercised by the elderly and children. This area is extremely hot in the summer and cold in the winter without trees to break the wind or sun. Cattle grazing is used to manage native grasses so please exercise caution when visiting the area.


WHAT TO SEE: PLANTS
Grasses on this prairie include: little bluestem grass, porcupine grass and side-oats gramma. Flowers include: pale purple coneflower, prairie violets, pasque flower and grey headed coneflower.

WHAT TO SEE: ANIMALS
Birds on the Browns' Prairie include: bobolinks, grasshopper sparrows, meadowlarks, and kingfishers often fishing in the prairie streams during the summer.
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Photo by The Nature Conservancy

Buena Vista Conservation allows off-trail hiking at all of their properties, including wildlife areas. Below is a list with addresses.

Brooke Wildlife Area
Buena Vista 440th Street, Linn Grove IA 51033

Elk Wildlife Area
60th Avenue, Alta IA 51002

Gabrielson Park
1322 440th Street, Sioux Rapids IA 50585

Gaherty Wildlife Area
580th Street, Storm Lake IA 50588

Gary Christiansen Wildlife Area
30th Avenue, Linn Grove IA 51003

Hankens Wildlife Area
10th Avenue, Alta IA 51002

Pheasant Ridge Wildlife Area
660th Street, Newell IA 50568

Starr-Robbins Wildlife Refuge
Evans Street, Linn Grove IA 51033

Three Waters Wildlife Area
600th Street, Newell IA 50568


Hiking the Byways is a regular series by Golden Hills RC&D that features publicly accessible lands open to hiking on the three scenic byways in western Iowa that Golden Hills RC&D coordinates: Glacial Trail Scenic Byway, Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, and Western Skies Scenic Byway. Each blog post covers hiking areas in one county on one of the aforementioned byways. For questions about hiking on the byways, contact Seth Brooks (seth.brooks@goldenhillsrcd.org).

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Featured Farm: Garden of Paradise

5/5/2023

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Following gravel roads southeast of Clarinda, nearing the Iowa-Missouri border, I arrived at Garden of Paradise. Stepping out of my car, I understood why Shad Swanson chose Garden of Paradise as his business name. On this beautiful blue-sky afternoon our surroundings were quiet except for the occasional bird song and the croaking of frogs nearby. An old rundown one room schoolhouse sits within eye shot, a relic reminder of Iowa’s thriving rural past. What Shad does on his acreage is reminiscent of Iowa’s rural past, too and my idea of an Iowa paradise. Not all that long ago many Iowans, tasked with feeding themselves, grew large gardens outside their back doors. They may have gifted, bartered, or sold some of their bounty with their friends and neighbors. Shad is a market farmer, selling his produce at several small-town farmers markets in southwest Iowa. ​
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At 8,300 square feet, Shad’s growing space is not huge, but it is not small either. A lot of produce is grown in that space. His garlic is well over 6 inches tall and looking great. Most of his onions and other root veggies are already in the ground, like carrots, beets and radishes, and a red, white and blue blend of potatoes that he calls the “American Mix”. He has four long rows hilled up and ready for sweet potato slips. Several varieties of broccoli, cauliflower, and kale are in already too, and celery, which is a new crop for Shad this season. So far, it’s looking happy. He knows that rain fall is not a guarantee, and plants like celery are thirsty. Irrigation lines run to most of his crops, just in case.  ​
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The warm season crops are not planted out yet. They are still warm in their winter growing space. Shad starts his yearly garden routine long before the ground outside warms enough to plant. Many of the crops begin as seeds in his basement, which he refers to as his “greenhouse”. His basement is full of various peppers, Shad’s favorite garden plant, and tomatoes, and herbs. Everything is getting big and eager to go outside for the season. The basement does feel like a greenhouse. 
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Shad grew up on a farm, just outside of Essex. His family grew a vegetable garden, and he participated in 4-H. His love of growing produce matured when he lived in Des Moines, growing produce to give to friends and selling some to restaurants. I asked Shad what made him return to rural Iowa and choose produce farming for his profession. He did not hesitate with his reply, “Iowa needs to diversify”. We agreed that diversity in both plant species and economic opportunities would be beneficial for rural Iowa. Shad remarked about the solitude and peace in his big back yard. You can’t get that in an urban setting.  ​
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One day, Shad hopes to expand his growing operation, but for right now it is the perfect size for one man to maintain by hand. He is gaining invaluable knowledge, trialing varieties to determine what will work best for his expansion. His excitement about what he does shows. 

​Besides the already mentioned produce, Shad grows various culinary and tea herbs, like lemon balm, sage, parsley, basil, and oregano. He sells jars of freshly dried and powdered herbs and peppers. Houseplants and cactus are also staples at his market table.  
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Garden of Paradise can be found, among other area vendors, this Saturday, May 6th at 9am in Priest Park in Shenandoah for the Plant Sale and Market hosted by Sycamore Ridge Small Farm. Garden of Paradise can also be found at the Clarinda, Red Oak and Shenandoah Farmers Markets beginning in mid-May. Shad also plans to attend the new monthly Essex Market beginning Saturday June 10th, and other various markets that occur throughout southwest Iowa. Follow Garden of Paradise on Facebook for farm and market updates. ​

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Botany on the Byways: Wild Prairie Rose

5/5/2023

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On May 6, 1897, the Iowa legislature designated the "wild rose" as the state flower of Iowa. Although no particular species of the flower was designated by the legislature, the wild prairie rose is most often cited as the official flower. Wild roses are found throughout western Iowa and bloom from June through late summer.  The flower, in varying shades of pink, is set off by many yellow  stamens in the center. 
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Range of rosa arkansana
Three "wild" roses native to Iowa can be considered the state flower: Rosa arkansana, Rosa blanda, and Rosa carolina. The individual species are difficult to tell apart because they are very similar in appearance and they hybridize easily and naturally. 

Rosa arkansana is a small shrub that is common on upland prairies, sandy prairies, roadsides, and in other open places. It grows up to 3 feet tall and blooms in June with masses of pink to dark pink, fragrant blossoms. The small, red, apple-shaped hips appear in late summer. It is said that three rose hips from wild rose contain as much vitamin C as one orange. Meskwaki and Menomini Indians boiled the hips to make a syrup for various food uses. Indians and pioneers ate the hips, flowers, and leaves when other food was scarce. The hips of wild roses are considered an important food source for wildlife.

Rosa blanda is similar to Rosa arkansana but the dark red stems are mostly smooth with few prickles. The leaves usually have fewer leaflets (5-7) and have few hairs on the leaflets.
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Source: Prairie Plants of Iowa
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Source: Prairie Plants of Iowa

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Birding the Byways

5/4/2023

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Barred owl at Riverton WMA (photo by Carter Oliver)
May is a big birding month in Iowa. It kicks off with National Bird Day on May 4th, then is followed by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union 100th Anniversary celebration from May 5th to 7th. World Migratory Bird Day on May 13th coincides with the predicted peak migration, which has been forecasted to occur between May 9th and 14th.

We have compiled a list of birding resources to help you explore the wonderful birding opportunities in western Iowa. Read about them below.

Birding Organizations

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Ornithologist is a big word, but the philosophy of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union is by no means elitist. According to the IOU, if you enjoy the wild birds of Iowa then you are an ornithologist! No degrees, no training, no experience required.
The Iowa Ornithologists' Union spring meeting will kick off their celebration of 100 years of birding as an organization. The venue for the weekend is the beautiful Stine Barn and grounds in West Des Moines. Join them for exceptional programs, great birding, and fellowship with like-minded individuals. The keynote speaker is Ted Floyd, of the American Birding Association, who will examine how much birding has changed over the course of one hundred years. Activities are planned for newer birders, families, photographers, and seasoned veterans alike!
If you cannot make the celebration, check out the IOU website. They have a wealth of information to learn about birds and find birds in Iowa, including an Iowa bird list with 433 species, an Iowa breeding bird atlas, birding by county, Iowa hot spots, and more! The  Ann Barker Library  includes issues of Iowa Bird Life dating back to 1931.
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American goldfinch at Loess Hills State Forest Little Sioux Unit (photo by Carter Oliver)
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The mission of Iowa Audubon is to identify, protect and restore Iowa's bird habitats, to educate Iowa's citizens toward a greater level of conservation awareness, and to promote enjoyment and greater pride in Iowa's natural ecosystems, birds, other wildlife.
​Iowa Audubon is an organization of people, corporations and other organizations, including National Audubon Society chapters, all interested in improving bird habitat in Iowa. They are a grass-roots organization that maximizes the use of our collective resources to have the largest impact on habitat issues. Iowa Audubon is a non-profit member organization, with a mission to protect, restore and enjoy Iowa’s natural ecosystems with a focus on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats. Our focus on bird conservation fills a unique niche in Iowa. There is a great opportunity to conserve and improve the habitats most essential to birds across the state.

Iowa Audubon offers small grants for bird conservation research and projects. They also partner with other organizations to manager and monitor Important Bird Areas. If you would like to support Iowa Audubon, consider becoming a member; they have several membership options.
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Loess Hills Audubon Society is one of eleven chapters of Iowa Audubon. LHAS exists to educate individuals and the general public, to enjoy and promote birding, to support ornithology, and to be an advocate for wild areas and environmental issues. They meet at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center in Sioux City on the first Thursday of the month during the months of September through May at 7:00 PM.
Loess Hills Audubon Society has a dedicated group of members that offer programming and bird outings in the greater Siouxland area. They are currently seeking Bird Friendly designation for Sioux City. Golden Hills RC&D is partnering with LHAS to revise their Siouxland Bird Guide that was originally published in 2003.

Check their Conservation Notes blog for bird-related news. Also, take a look at their calendar for a birding event in the Siouxland area. LHAS organizes annual Christmas Bird Counts, among other birding excursions.
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Bald eagle at Deer Island WMA (photo by Carter Oliver)
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Founded in 2011 to encourage young Iowans ages 8-18 to study and enjoy birds and birding, Iowa Young Birders has offered nearly 60 field trips all around Iowa.  More than 600 participants have included over 300 young birders, 200 parents and 100 volunteer trip leaders.
Join IAYB at Springbrook State Park on May 20th at 9 AM as they search for the last migrants of spring and pause to appreciate the local breeding birds as they sing and establish territories. May 20th often marks the peak of warbler diversity in Iowa as amazing species such as Connecticut Warbler, Mourning Warbler, and Canada Warbler fill the woods with their beautiful songs. IAYB will search for these fleeting species and learn about the breeding strategies of different birds. This event is free but advanced registration is required. This outing is open to young birders and their parents/guardians/caretakers. No previous knowledge or experience is necessary.
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Bird Friendly Iowa is a statewide bird habitat conservation and educational outreach program created by a partnership of Iowa conservation organizations. The program instills pride in Iowa's communities for maintaining healthy ecosystems for ourselves and our birds. Cities and counties can acquire Bird Friendly designation after meeting several criteria that support bird conservation. Audubon and Clay have been designated as Bird Friendly counties in western Iowa. A REAP grant for 2022 has allowed the organization to contract with a part-time coordinator to help support its growth.
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Red-bellied woodpecker at Schaben Park (photo by Carter Oliver)

Birding the Byways

From the Missouri River to the Raccoon River, Western Skies Scenic Byway traverses four of Iowa's landforms and many unique habitat types. If you're looking for waterfowl, upland birds, woodland birds, Western Skies Birding Trail has you covered. 

​Check out the Western Skies Birding Trail website to learn where you can go birding in the Western Skies corridor (Audubon, Guthrie, Harrison & Shelby counties) and what species you might find. 
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The Broken Kettle Grasslands Bird Conservation Area is located in the northern Loess Hills. Its 24,500 acres contain the largest remaining contiguous prairie tracts in Iowa. Much of the land is managed by The Nature Conservancy and  provides prime habitat for grassland bird species as the bobolink, grasshopper sparrow, western kingbird, and upland sandpiper. This unique region plays host to Iowa’s only population of  Black-billed    Magpies. Recent research has indicated that these birds had a historical association with bison, a captive population of which now roams the Broken Kettle Grasslands.
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The Loess Hills Bird Conservation Area is located in the most unique landform of Iowa. The Loess Hills were created by windblown loess from the Missouri River bottomland and piled 200-300 feet deep. Once near-totally covered by prairie, today the Loess Hills’ land cover is a mixture of native prairie, bur oak savanna, and woodlands. This BCA contains 94,048 acres in Monona and Harrison counties, of which nearly 19,000 acres are protected by conservation easements or publicly owned.
Bird diversity here is exceptional, with 249 species identified, including 80 Iowa Species of Greatest Conservation Need. Currently, 111 species are known to nest in this BCA’s prairies, savannas, woodlands, and wetlands. This same crucial habitat supplies important bird wintering grounds and migratory stopover sites. Special birds of this area include wood thrush, Bell’s vireo,  whip-poor-will,  redheaded woodpecker,  grasshopper and field sparrows, Blue-winged warbler, and both meadowlark species. The BCA’s western Iowa location makes it a good place to see western bird species that are less often seen elsewhere, like  western kingbird, Townsend’s solitaire, and perhaps Lazuli bunting.  
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Click to download the PDF brochure
The Lower Loess Hills Bird Conservation Area was never dedicated and so is not officially recognized. However, the Iowa DNR does have a brochure about the bird conservation area, although much of the information is identical to the aforementioned Loess Hills Bird Conservation Area. The Lower Loess Hills BCA covers Fremont and Mills counties in southwest Iowa.
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Snowy owl near Harlan (photo by Carter Oliver)
There are numerous parks and nature centers in western Iowa that are excellent birding sites. State parks managed by the Iowa DNR, parks managed by county conservation boards, and other publicly accessible lands in western Iowa all offer birding opportunities. Check the park's respective website for organized birding events and tips.

DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge offers great birding year round. The visitor center viewing windows provide great birding of waterfowl and bald eagles during the spring, fall and winter season. Bird feeders are stocked daily at the visitor center and provide good “backyard” birding opportunities.


Hitchcock Nature Center is home to HawkWatch, a citizen science driven research project that monitors raptor migration from September 1st to December 13th, counting an average of 13,000 migrating raptors annually. Anyone can join the Hitchcock HawkWatch volunteer team. All you need is a love of birds and a willingness to learn. On-the-job training is provided by the experienced team of HawkWatch volunteers and park staff. To become a Hitchcock HawkWatch volunteer, please complete and submit a volunteer application on the HawkWatch website. 

The Chris L. Lloyd Swan Restoration Refuge in Buena Vista County is a 10-acre area to promote the restoration of trumpeter swans. A kiosk with information and an observation deck help inform the public about the swans. A five acre lake is surrounded by prairie grasses. The swan refuge is located 10 miles south of Sioux Rapids on Highway 71.


Other notable birding sites include, but are not limited to, Sawmill Hollow Wildlife Area in Harrison County, Riverton Wildlife Management Area in Fremont County,and Prairie Heritage Center in O'Brien County.

Birding Resources

Besides the aforementioned organizations, the following resources are helpful to both novice and experienced birders.
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eBird is among the world’s largest biodiversity-related science projects, with more than 100 million bird sightings contributed annually by eBirders around the world. Discover bird hot spots, track your own bird lists, share sightings, and more.
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The BirdNET research project uses artificial intelligence and neural networks to train computers to identify nearly 3,000 of the most common species of North America and Europe. You can record a file using the internal microphone of your device and see if BirdNET correctly identifies the probable bird species present in your recording.  BirdNET is a citizen science platform as well as an analysis software for extremely large collections of audio. BirdNET aims to provide innovative tools for conservationists, biologists, and birders alike.
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Merlin features community contributed photos, songs, and calls, tips from experts around the world to help you ID the birds you see, and range maps from Birds of the World—all powered by billions of bird observations submitted to eBird.
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The Audubon Bird Guide is a free and complete field guide to over 800 species of North American birds, right in your pocket. Built for all experience levels, it will help you identify the birds around you, keep track of the birds you’ve seen, and get outside to find new birds near you. With over 2 million downloads to date, it is one of the best and most trusted field guides for North American birds.
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Yellow-headed blackbird at Missouri Bottoms Wetland Area (photo by Carter Oliver)

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2023 Loess Hills Cooperative Burn Week

5/3/2023

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April 24-28 was the 8th annual Loess Hills Cooperative Burn Week, hosted by Loess Hills Fire Partners. This event is "an opportunity to join with partners to achieve fire management in an area where additional skills and resources were needed to accomplish the work at a landscape scale. It was also an opportunity to build relationships with partners, share knowledge and skills, and work within a more complex organizational structure utilizing an expanded Incident Command System." More than 100 people from dozens of organizations, numerous states, and even Canada, joined this year's event. The group was based out of Loess Hills State Forest headquarters in Pisgah, and burned primarily in Harrison, Monona, and southern Woodbury counties. Fire is an important part of stewardship for western Iowa's land. Historically, fires were set by indigenous peoples and occasional lightning strikes on an interval of every few years. Without these regular fires, fuels build up that pose a serious threat for more dangerous wildfires.

Just two weeks before Co-op Burn Week, more than 3,700 acres were burned in the Preparation Canyon Unit of Loess Hills State Forest and adjacent private lands. Other large wildfires have burned several thousand acres in western Iowa in the past year. While Co-Op Burn Week typically involves burning large areas to meet ecological objectives, being able to put out a fire is even more important. 
Monday's activities focused on fire suppression. Trainers started a small fire and participants had to work together to mobilize resources to extinguish the fire. Drought conditions have made grass and woodland fires more frequent, and high winds can spread them incredibly quickly. The fire suppression activities highlighted the need for excellent communication in a high-stress, time-limited situation with people who have never worked together. 

Monday evening was a special event in Woodbine, featuring Brad Elder from Nebraska. Brad was badly injured in a burnover while fighting a wildfire in eastern Nebraska in October 2023. He told his story and talked about his recovery, and advised firefighters on how best to avoid a situation like the one he experienced.
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Brad Elder of Nebraska discussing his burnover experience on a wildfire last fall. photo by Kerry Hecker
Also at the Monday evening program, a video about Loess Hills Cooperative Burn Week premiered. The video was created by Amanda Trudell and Shelly Eisenhauer at the 2022 Burn Week.
Most of the rest of the week included boots-on-the-ground, live action training with prescribed fire. Participants were divided into several units to conduct multiple burns at the same time. State and county private lands and some private lands were included, both in the Loess Hills landform and on the Missouri River floodplain. 
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One of the burn unit crews.
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Group photo of LHCBW 2023 participants
More information, including reports on previous Loess Hills Cooperative Burn Weeks, is available at http://www.loesshillsalliance.com/fire.html

Next year's Burn Week will be held in the northern Loess Hills.
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Hiking the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway: Mills County

5/3/2023

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West Oak Forest (photo by Lance Brisbois)
Mills County is located amongst the Loess Hills and rivers of southwest Iowa. The county is rich in cultural history. Many cultures have resided in the Loess Hills of Mills County. Among these cultures was a prehistoric people whose earth-lodge sites have been documented throughout the Loess Hills. There are roughly 284 known earth lodge sites in Iowa, and the majority (239) of these sites occur around the Glenwood area, hence them being called the "Glenwood Culture". Hike at Glenwood Archaeological State Preserve​ to learn about these cultures or head to Folsom Point Preserve for a hike through a remnant prairie with views of the Omaha skyline. There are several other great hiking areas just a short drive from the Omaha/Council Bluffs metro.
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​Folsom Point Preserve

Manager: The Nature Conservancy
GPS: 
41.15500, -95.80338
Trails: No official trails but hiking allowed
Camping: No
Amenities: None
Dogs: No
Hunting: No
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Click for Folsom Point Preserve on All Trails
​Folsom Point Preserve protects one of the largest remaining contiguous prairie remnants in the southern Loess Hills. Purchased in 1999, the prairie provides a valuable habitat for grassland animals, particularly in an area where the prairie community has largely disappeared. The terrain is quite rugged with steep slopes. The preserve is used for research by local students; visitors should avoid flags and other markers.

There are no official trails at the preserve but there are several well-traveled footpaths that lead up to and along the ridges, allowing sweeping views of the Missouri River floodplain and the Loess Hills. The nearby factories, however, degrade the view from the ridges. A hike at Folsom Point is still enjoyable, as it is much less frequented than Hitchcock Nature Center yet about the same driving distance from the Omaha/Council Bluffs metro.
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Folsom Point Preserve (photo by Seth Brooks)

Green Hill Wildlife Area

​Manager: Iowa DNR
GPS: 
41.152340, -95.786740
Acres: 516
Trails: No official trails but hiking allowed
Camping: No
Amenities: None
Dogs: Yes
Hunting: Yes

Green Hill Wildlife Area is one of Iowa's newest public wildlife areas. The property is located east across the road from Folsom Point Preserve. Iowa DNR is restoring the property to prairie.
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Click for a larger image
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Photo by Lance Brisbois

West Oak Forest

​Manager: Mills County Conservation
GPS: 
41.075377, -95.811997
Acres: 308
Trails: 3 miles of hiking trails
Camping: No
Amenities: None
Dogs: Yes
Hunting: No

​
West Oak Forest is located in west central Mills County. The 308-acre area of Loess Hills bluffland is adjacent to and overlooking the broad Missouri River floodplain.
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Click for West Oak Forest on All Trails
This is the second largest park within the Mills County Conservation Board’s park system. It consists of forest, numerous hilltop prairie remnants, 7-acres of restored prairie, and well over 3 miles of hiking trails.

Being nestled in the west side of Iowa’s beautiful Loess Hills, the park provides a spectacular view overlooking the Missouri River floodplain. West Oak Forest is inhabited by many threatened and endangered species of the Loess Hills,  including the Yucca Moth, Western Spadefoot Toad, Ottoe Skipper, Northern Grasshopper Mouse, and various others.. The topography of the property is very steep with corrugated hills and the highest point being 1,100 feet above sea level. Heavily forested with upland hardwoods including bur oak, red oak, ironwood, basswood, scattered black walnut and shagbark hickory.
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Photo by Lance Brisbois

Pony Creek Park​

Manager: Mills County Conservation
GPS: 
41.070669, -95.788706
​Acres: 83
Trails: Yes (trail map posted at kiosk)
Camping: Yes
Amenities: Nature center, restrooms
Dogs: Yes
Hunting: No

​Pony Creek Park 
is the Mills County Conservation headquarters. There are hiking trails within the park as well as a scenic overlook platform. The park also has 1.5 acres of restored prairie as well as 4-acres of native prairie. ​An 82-acre lake is located directly across from the entrance of the park that allows fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. During fall, a wonderful image is painted upon the canvas of treetops across the lake from the park. ​
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Click for a larger image
Pony Creek is located along the Loess Hills Scenic Byway. Pony Creek Park is a National Historic Landmark. The Davis Oriole earth lodge site is located here. To protect the archaeological integrity of the site, it is not specifically marked. 
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Pony Creek Nature Center

Mile Hill Lake

​Manager: Mills County Conservation
GPS: 41.047265, -95.782418
​Acres: 39
Trails: Yes
Camping: No
Amenities: Boat dock and ramp
Dogs: Yes
Hunting: Yes
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No map is available of Mile Hill Lake
Mile Hill Lake consists of a hardwood forest, which is open to public hunting, and a 10-acre fishing lake with boat dock and ramp. ​When driving into the park you will find an interpretive panel discussing the prehistoric culture that lived in this region, and the handicap accessible Scenic Overlook, which offers an interpretive panel discussing the Loess Hills Scenic Byway. You will also see a2 acre restored prairie, and several flowerbeds which are maintained by the Mills County Co-Horts. There are various hiking trails within the park, including the most recent addition that leads through a marsh area, with a newly installed footbridge.
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Showy orchis at Mile Hill Lake

Glenwood Archaeological
​State Preserve


​Manager: Mills County Conservation
GPS: 41.028771, -95.744359
​Acres: 906
Trails: 3 miles of paved and mowed trails
Camping: No
Amenities: None
Dogs: Yes
Hunting: No

Glenwood Archaeological State Preserve is Iowa’s 96th dedicated preserve.
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Click for All Trails information
The preserve is a low impact recreation area, meaning that no public activity can impair the integrity of the site. The site hosts multi-use trails ready for running, hiking, biking and wildlife observation. Aside from the archaeological sites within the property, one can also find forest, oak savanna, native prairie, restored prairie and agricultural grounds on the site.

There are 107 recorded archaeological sites in the Glenwood Archaeological State Preserve, ranging from about 10,000 years in age to the early Euro-American settlement era, 150 years ago. Most significant are 27 earth lodge sites in the preserve that are related to the Glenwood Culture, also known as the Nebraska phase of the Central Plains tradition. Only a small fraction of the preserve has been archaeologically surveyed, so many more sites probably exist in the preserve.
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Photo by Lance Brisbois

​Hiking the Byways is a regular series by Golden Hills RC&D that features publicly accessible lands open to hiking on the three scenic byways in western Iowa that Golden Hills RC&D coordinates: Glacial Trail Scenic Byway, Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, and Western Skies Scenic Byway. Each blog post covers hiking areas in one county on one of the aforementioned byways. For questions about hiking on the byways, contact Seth Brooks (seth.brooks@goldenhillsrcd.org).
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Botany on the Byways: Hoary puccoon

4/21/2023

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Another early bloomer, hoary puccoon can be found in open habitats like prairies, savannas, and woodlands; it is frequently found on dry to moist prairies. Lithospermum canescens has white, shiny hard seeds and soft, feathery leaves. The name “Puccoon” comes from the word “poughkone,” which is the name given by the Powhatan tribe who used the roots to make a red dye. It is common in remnant prairies at county and state parks in the Loess Hills.
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source: Iowa Prairie Plants
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Botany on the Byways: Dutchman's breeches

4/14/2023

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Dutchman's breeches (dicentra cucullaria) are a woodland flower and one of the earliest to bloom in spring. Their name aids their identification, as they resemble a pair
of pants or “breeches,” hanging upside down from a slender flower stalk. 
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source: Gardens of the Blue Ridge
The breeches are white and sometimes tinged with pink, and are attached to the flower stalk at the crotch by a delicate flower stem. The leaves are frilly or fern-like and grow underneath the arching flower stalk. The leaves appear first; then fragrant flowers bloom in clusters, resembling pants hanging on a clothesline. Early bumblebees come for the nectar of the flowers and pollinate them. Dutchman's breeches have a mutualistic relationship with ants called myrmecochory. Ants distribute the seeds by taking them to their nests. The ants feed on a fleshy part of the seeds and the seeds germinate and sprout from the nests.

Dutchman's breeches can be found in woodlands in western Iowa and throughout much of the Loess Hills. They are easily found in Waubonsie State Park and Hitchcock Nature Center, just to name two of the many places you can find this early blooming woodland wildflower.
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