Nearly 10 acres of native prairie in Story County are ready for their time in the spotlight.
The dedication of Landers Prairie is set for 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 18, at Prairie Valley Preserve near Gilbert.
Prairie Valley Preserve is Story County Conservation’s newest park, spanning 74 acres along Ioway Creek, including 50 acres of prairie and a constructed wetland.
Where is Prairie Valley Preserve in Story County?
Prairie Valley Preserve is located at 50352 Blazing Star Street in Ames. If you turn left off 170th Street and follow the pedestrian trail – with the help of nearby signage – you can find Landers Prairie.
The Landers Prairie dedication is the first event at Prairie Valley Preserve, Story County Conservation Natural Resources Specialist Brandon Clough said. The rest of the property will be open to the public by Memorial Day weekend.
“We are incredibly pleased that this remnant prairie is permanently protected as public land,” Clough said. “It is a true gem in Story County for the public to enjoy and for wildlife to thrive.”
Prairie named for conservation leader
Landers Prairie is named in honor of the late Dr. R.Q. “Jake” Landers, an educator and conservationist known for his early work in identifying prairie remnants, advancing reconstruction methods and promoting prairie management practices.
Landers taught at Iowa State University from 1962 to 1979, inspiring students with hands-on learning and advocacy for native seed sources and fire for management. His work helped shape the future of prairie restoration in Iowa.
A milestone in Landers’ legacy was his partnership with the Doolittle family in the 1970s. They collected and distributed native prairie seed from the notable Doolittle Prairie, laying the groundwork for many reconstructed prairies across central Iowa.
Landers also guided early efforts at McFarland Park, including Story County Conservation’s first experimental planting after Roundup (glyphosate) was applied to kill existing vegetation.
Unique plant life ready to be discovered at Story County prairie
Landers Prairie is 9.5 acres of remnant prairie that was historically grazed but never plowed. The remnant prairie has been known by plant enthusiasts for decades, but the talk of permanent protection didn’t start until 2018.
Clough said Landers Prairie is home to several notable species.
The soil types are also unique to Story County. The plants are located on a dry slope, which allows rare species to grow.
The most unique species are prairie violet (Viola pedatifida), prairie larkspur (Delphinium carolinianum), violet wood sorrel (Oxalis violacea), prairie blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium campestre), hairy grama (Bouteloua hirsuta), and fringed puccoon (Lithospermum incisum).
Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Nearly 10 acres of native Story County prairie land is open and ready for exploration.
Reporting by Celia Brocker, Ames Tribune / Ames Tribune
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