Plants and animals found at Blackburn State Park Unit.
Ninety-seven Loess Hills plant and animal species are of special interest to experts because they are either eastern species on the western edge of their range, western species on the eastern end of their range, or are among the 39 listed by the state of Iowa as endangered, threatened or of special concern. In fact, this region has one of the largest concentrations of rare species in the state.
The grounds of the center contain a wide variety of plant species, including the following. Those underlined are endangered, threatened or of special concern.
With government assistance, a number of timber and prairie improvement projects have been undertaken on the site over the years. Scrub trees have been thinned and many invasive plants removed. Original prairie grasses have re-sprouted in areas where cedars were cut back. In 2008-2010 all tilled agricultural lands, approximately 20 acres in total, were planted in native Iowa prairie grasses and forbs (flowers), many of which were originally found in this part of the Loess Hills centuries ago. Some of the prairie and timber plants now there include the following:
Ninety-seven Loess Hills plant and animal species are of special interest to experts because they are either eastern species on the western edge of their range, western species on the eastern end of their range, or are among the 39 listed by the state of Iowa as endangered, threatened or of special concern. In fact, this region has one of the largest concentrations of rare species in the state.
The grounds of the center contain a wide variety of plant species, including the following. Those underlined are endangered, threatened or of special concern.
With government assistance, a number of timber and prairie improvement projects have been undertaken on the site over the years. Scrub trees have been thinned and many invasive plants removed. Original prairie grasses have re-sprouted in areas where cedars were cut back. In 2008-2010 all tilled agricultural lands, approximately 20 acres in total, were planted in native Iowa prairie grasses and forbs (flowers), many of which were originally found in this part of the Loess Hills centuries ago. Some of the prairie and timber plants now there include the following:
Trees, Shrubs & Vines
Forbs (Flowering Plants)
Grasses, Sedges & Other Plants
The Green Hollow Center hosts a large variety of birds and animals. In addition to the species listed below, a mountain lion was reportedly seen nearby. Seven wild Eurasian boars, an invasive species and apparently the descendants of escapees from a wild game reserve some years ago, have been caught on the property, one weighing 300 pounds. A herd of four-horned feral goats have been spotted on a few occasions.
Mammals
Birds
Reptiles
Butterflies
Dragonflies & Damselflies
