Cayler Prairie State Preserve facts for kids
Cayler Prairie State Preserve is a special place in Iowa. It's a 160-acre piece of land. This land is home to a rare type of grassland. It is called a tallgrass prairie. You can find it in Dickinson County. This is in northwest Iowa, near Spirit Lake. It is so important that it's also a National Natural Landmark. This means it's recognized nationally for its unique natural features.
What is Cayler Prairie Like?
Cayler Prairie is famous for its tall grasses. The main grass you will see here is called big bluestem. It can grow very tall, sometimes over 6 feet!
Besides grasses, many beautiful wildflowers grow here. These wildflowers are called forbs. You can see different ones depending on the season:
- In spring, look for bright yellow golden alexander. You might also spot Lambert's crazyweed.
- During summer, sawtooth sunflower blooms. The lovely prairie rose also appears. The prairie rose is even the official state flower of Iowa!
- In the fall, the prairie turns golden. You can find Missouri goldenrod. Also look for purple New England aster. And don't miss the unique dotted gayfeather.
The land around the prairie is also important. It includes wetlands, which are areas of wet ground. These wetlands and the prairie together cover 1,204 acres. This large area is carefully managed. People have often visited this area for outdoor activities.
How Was Cayler Prairie Saved?
Cayler Prairie was "discovered" in 1944. A smart botanist named Ada Hayden found it. A botanist is a scientist who studies plants. Ada Hayden noticed special tallgrass plants growing in a field. This field was being used to grow hay. She realized it was one of the last remaining patches of original tallgrass prairie in Iowa. She knew it needed to be protected.
In 1958, the Cayler family sold the land. They had owned it since the early days of settlement. The Iowa Conservation Commission bought the land. This group helps protect natural areas.
The tallgrass prairie was officially named a National Natural Landmark in 1966. This was a big step in its protection. Then, in 1971, it became a state nature preserve. This means it is a special area protected by the state. More land was bought in 1998 to help protect the prairie even more. This extra land acts as a buffer.
