The Guide to Iowa's State Preserves
- ISBN-10
- 0877457743
- ISBN-13
- 9780877457749
- Category
- Travel
- Pages
- 196
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2001-12
- Publisher
- University of Iowa Press
- Authors
- Ruth Herzberg, John A. Pearson
Description
The Iowa state preserves system was created in 1965; a decade later, thirty preserves had been dedicated, including “six native prairies, a native White Pine stand, the state's only Sphagnum bog, a Balsam Fir stand, some of the oldest exposed rock outcrops in the world, an ancient fort, a fen, several Indian mound groups and a historical cemetery.” This new guide to all ninety Iowa state preserves—biological, geological, archaeological, historical, and scenic—describes the state's most treasured prairies and forests, quartzite outcrops and ice caves, and Indian mounds and wetlands as well as such historic sites as Fort Atkinson and Montauk. Each entry includes two-color, progressively scaled maps giving the location of the preserve within the state, within its county, relative to a nearby town (with a recommended driving route), and on the local landscape (using USGS 7.5-minute topo maps). Also included are written directions (using 911 street names and signs); a description of the preserve's size, features, and history; a list of nearby or similar preserves, parks, natural areas, and other attractions; recommended readings; and contact information. (There are a few exceptions for privately owned or fragile preserves.) For travelers, a map in the introduction numbers all the preserves both geographically and alphabetically by name. Although the preserves system emphasizes preservation rather than recreation, some preserves do have formal trails; some allow hunting, horseback riding, and canoeing; a few have museums or nature centers. This comprehensive guide allows visitors to plan active and informative visits to sites that highlight Iowa's natural and cultural heritage.
Get the book
Other editions
Similar books
-
Iowa's State Parks: Also Forests, Recreation Areas, and Preserves
By Robert Charles WolfThe new edition of the popular Enjoy Iowa's Recreation Trails includes updated information on 43 trails at 40 different locations. This trail guide provides details about Iowa's best recreation trails...
-
The Archaeological Guide to Iowa
By William E. Whittaker, Lynn M. Alex, Mary De La GarzaProvides information on 68 important archaeological sites in Iowa, including sites of every type, from every time period, and in every part of the state.
-
America's Natural Places: The Midwest
By Jason Ney, Terri NicholsControlling reed canary grass, a typical wetland invader, was also made a priority. Management of the preserve, however, was through practice of these techniques without integrating research—that is, without using the scientific method, ...
-
The Emerald Horizon: The History of Nature in Iowa
By Cornelia F. MutelThroughout, in addition to the many illustrations commissioned for this book, she offers careful scientific exposition, a strong sense of respect for the land, and encouragement to protect the future by learning from the past.
-
A Watershed Year: Anatomy of the Iowa Floods of 2008
By Cornelia F. MutelBy providing a solid base of scientific and technical information presented with unusual clarity and a wealth of supporting illustrations, the contributors to this far-reaching book, many of whom dealt firsthand with the 2008 floods, ...
-
The Nature Conservancy's Guide to Indiana Preserves
Upon first entering the preserve you sense that you are in a special place. There is an air of distinctness that is at first perhaps only subconsciously registered--distinct light through...
-
Prairie: A North American Guide
By Suzanne WincklerThis prairie guide is your roadmap to what remains of this varied and majestic landscape. Suzanne Winckler’s goal is to encourage travelers to get off the highways, out of their cars, and onto North America’s last remaining prairies.
-
A Naturalists Guide to the Great Plains
By Paul A. JohnsgardThis book documents nearly 500 US and Canadian locations where wildlife refuges, nature preserves, and similar properties protect natural sites that lie within the North American Great Plains, from Canada's Prairie Provinces to the Texas ...
-
An Illustrated Guide to Iowa Prairie Plants
By Mark Muller, Paul ChristiansenThis guide to the prairie plants native to Iowa provides all the information necessary for identifying and distinguishing even the most similar species. Species are described from the ground up:...
-
The Smithsonian Guides to Natural America: The Heartland--Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri
By Suzanne WincklerGuide to preserved and protected natural areas divided by region and state, from world famous national parks to tiny local preserves.