Hayden Prairie State Preserve
Encyclopedia
The Hayden Prairie State Preserve is a 240 acres (97.1 ha) tallgrass prairie
located in Howard County, Iowa
. The nearest towns are Chester
and Lime Springs
, both close to the northern border of the state of Iowa
. It is a National Natural Landmark
managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
.
of land - it is the largest remaining parcel of tallgrass prairies survivng in Iowa outside of the Loess Hills
on the western border of the state.
The prairie commemorates botanist Ada Hayden (1884–1950). An Iowa farm girl, Hayden studied at the Missouri Botanical Garden
(MBG) and Iowa State University
(ISU) and earned a PhD
in biology in 1918, one of the first women to earn this distinction in the U.S. She became an assistant professor of botany
at ISU, devoting her personal and professional life to the defense of the fast-disappearing tallgrass prairies of her native state. During her working lifetime, most of the remaining patches of tallgrass that had survived the rush of Euro-American settlement in the 1800s were falling to the plowshare
. Finally in 1940 the state of Iowa allocated $100 to Hayden for gasoline to drive around Iowa and identify what was left.
A small number of remaining prairie patches were identified, including the parcel of land that was to become Hayden Prairie. In 1945, the state of Iowa purchased this parcel for $10,001, approximately $42/acre. This land has been owned by the state ever since.
More than 200 plant species, including 100 species of wildflower
s,
have been identified in Hayden Prairie. Hayden Prairie is especially noted for a display of shooting stars
peaking around the U.S. holiday of Memorial Day
.
46 species of birds, and over 20 species of butterflies, have also been identified in Hayden Prairie.
Tallgrass prairie
The tallgrass prairie is an ecosystem native to central North America, with fire as its primary periodic disturbance. In the past, tallgrass prairies covered a large portion of the American Midwest, just east of the Great Plains, and portions of the Canadian Prairies. They flourished in areas with...
located in Howard County, Iowa
Howard County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 9,566 in the county, with a population density of . There were 4,367 housing units, of which 3,944 were occupied.-2000 census:...
. The nearest towns are Chester
Chester, Iowa
Chester is a city in Howard County, Iowa, United States. The population was 127 in the 2010 census, a decrease of 15.9% from the 151 population in the 2000 census...
and Lime Springs
Lime Springs, Iowa
Lime Springs is a city in Howard County, Iowa, United States. The population was 496 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lime Springs is located at...
, both close to the northern border of the state of Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. It is a National Natural Landmark
National Natural Landmark
The National Natural Landmark program recognizes and encourages the conservation of outstanding examples of the natural history of the United States. It is the only natural areas program of national scope that identifies and recognizes the best examples of biological and geological features in...
managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is a department/agency of the U.S. state of Iowa charged with maintaining state parks and forests; protecting the environment; and managing energy, fish, wildlife, land resources, and water resources of Iowa.The Mission Statement: To conserve and enhance...
.
Significance
The Hayden Prairie is a remnant of the tallgrass prairie ecosystem that once made up the majority of the land of what is now the state of Iowa. Although this remnant is only 240 acre (0.9712464 km²) in size - less than a half sectionSection (United States land surveying)
In U.S. land surveying under the Public Land Survey System , a section is an area nominally one square mile, containing , with 36 sections making up one survey township on a rectangular grid....
of land - it is the largest remaining parcel of tallgrass prairies survivng in Iowa outside of the Loess Hills
Loess Hills
The Loess Hills are a formation of wind-deposited loess soil in the westernmost part of Iowa and Missouri along the Missouri River.-Geology:The Loess Hills are generally located between 1 and east of the Missouri River channel...
on the western border of the state.
The prairie commemorates botanist Ada Hayden (1884–1950). An Iowa farm girl, Hayden studied at the Missouri Botanical Garden
Missouri Botanical Garden
The Missouri Botanical Garden is a botanical garden located in St. Louis, Missouri. It is also known informally as Shaw's Garden for founder Henry Shaw, a botanist and philanthropist.-History:...
(MBG) and Iowa State University
Iowa State University
Iowa State University of Science and Technology, more commonly known as Iowa State University , is a public land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa, United States. Iowa State has produced astronauts, scientists, and Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, along with a host of...
(ISU) and earned a PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
in biology in 1918, one of the first women to earn this distinction in the U.S. She became an assistant professor of botany
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
at ISU, devoting her personal and professional life to the defense of the fast-disappearing tallgrass prairies of her native state. During her working lifetime, most of the remaining patches of tallgrass that had survived the rush of Euro-American settlement in the 1800s were falling to the plowshare
Plowshare
In agriculture, a plowshare is a component of a plow . It is the cutting or leading edge of a moldboard which closely follows the coulter when plowing....
. Finally in 1940 the state of Iowa allocated $100 to Hayden for gasoline to drive around Iowa and identify what was left.
A small number of remaining prairie patches were identified, including the parcel of land that was to become Hayden Prairie. In 1945, the state of Iowa purchased this parcel for $10,001, approximately $42/acre. This land has been owned by the state ever since.
Today
After Hayden's death in 1950, the Hayden Prairie was renamed in her honor. It was listed as a National Natural Landmark in 1966, and as an Iowa State Preserve in 1968. It has been managed by controlled burning since 1971.More than 200 plant species, including 100 species of wildflower
Wildflower
A wildflower is a flower that grows wild, meaning it was not intentionally seeded or planted. Yet "wildflower" meadows of a few mixed species are sold in seed packets. The term "wildflower" has been made vague by commercial seedsmen who are interested in selling more flowers or seeds more...
s,
have been identified in Hayden Prairie. Hayden Prairie is especially noted for a display of shooting stars
Dodecatheon meadia
Dodecatheon meadia, known as Shooting Star, is a perennial wildflower native to North America. It is found in the American South, as well as the Upper Midwest, Kansas, New York, Pennsylvania and the Canadian province of Manitoba...
peaking around the U.S. holiday of Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
.
46 species of birds, and over 20 species of butterflies, have also been identified in Hayden Prairie.