Following gravel roads southeast of Clarinda, nearing the Iowa-Missouri border, I arrived at Garden of Paradise. Stepping out of my car, I understood why Shad Swanson chose Garden of Paradise as his business name. On this beautiful blue-sky afternoon our surroundings were quiet except for the occasional bird song and the croaking of frogs nearby. An old rundown one room schoolhouse sits within eye shot, a relic reminder of Iowa’s thriving rural past. What Shad does on his acreage is reminiscent of Iowa’s rural past, too and my idea of an Iowa paradise. Not all that long ago many Iowans, tasked with feeding themselves, grew large gardens outside their back doors. They may have gifted, bartered, or sold some of their bounty with their friends and neighbors. Shad is a market farmer, selling his produce at several small-town farmers markets in southwest Iowa.
The warm season crops are not planted out yet. They are still warm in their winter growing space. Shad starts his yearly garden routine long before the ground outside warms enough to plant. Many of the crops begin as seeds in his basement, which he refers to as his “greenhouse”. His basement is full of various peppers, Shad’s favorite garden plant, and tomatoes, and herbs. Everything is getting big and eager to go outside for the season. The basement does feel like a greenhouse. Shad grew up on a farm, just outside of Essex. His family grew a vegetable garden, and he participated in 4-H. His love of growing produce matured when he lived in Des Moines, growing produce to give to friends and selling some to restaurants. I asked Shad what made him return to rural Iowa and choose produce farming for his profession. He did not hesitate with his reply, “Iowa needs to diversify”. We agreed that diversity in both plant species and economic opportunities would be beneficial for rural Iowa. Shad remarked about the solitude and peace in his big back yard. You can’t get that in an urban setting. One day, Shad hopes to expand his growing operation, but for right now it is the perfect size for one man to maintain by hand. He is gaining invaluable knowledge, trialing varieties to determine what will work best for his expansion. His excitement about what he does shows. Besides the already mentioned produce, Shad grows various culinary and tea herbs, like lemon balm, sage, parsley, basil, and oregano. He sells jars of freshly dried and powdered herbs and peppers. Houseplants and cactus are also staples at his market table. Garden of Paradise can be found, among other area vendors, this Saturday, May 6th at 9am in Priest Park in Shenandoah for the Plant Sale and Market hosted by Sycamore Ridge Small Farm. Garden of Paradise can also be found at the Clarinda, Red Oak and Shenandoah Farmers Markets beginning in mid-May. Shad also plans to attend the new monthly Essex Market beginning Saturday June 10th, and other various markets that occur throughout southwest Iowa. Follow Garden of Paradise on Facebook for farm and market updates.
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Three "wild" roses native to Iowa can be considered the state flower: Rosa arkansana, Rosa blanda, and Rosa carolina. The individual species are difficult to tell apart because they are very similar in appearance and they hybridize easily and naturally. Rosa arkansana is a small shrub that is common on upland prairies, sandy prairies, roadsides, and in other open places. It grows up to 3 feet tall and blooms in June with masses of pink to dark pink, fragrant blossoms. The small, red, apple-shaped hips appear in late summer. It is said that three rose hips from wild rose contain as much vitamin C as one orange. Meskwaki and Menomini Indians boiled the hips to make a syrup for various food uses. Indians and pioneers ate the hips, flowers, and leaves when other food was scarce. The hips of wild roses are considered an important food source for wildlife. Rosa blanda is similar to Rosa arkansana but the dark red stems are mostly smooth with few prickles. The leaves usually have fewer leaflets (5-7) and have few hairs on the leaflets.
May is a big birding month in Iowa. It kicks off with National Bird Day on May 4th, then is followed by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union 100th Anniversary celebration from May 5th to 7th. World Migratory Bird Day on May 13th coincides with the predicted peak migration, which has been forecasted to occur between May 9th and 14th.
We have compiled a list of birding resources to help you explore the wonderful birding opportunities in western Iowa. Read about them below. Birding Organizations
The Iowa Ornithologists' Union spring meeting will kick off their celebration of 100 years of birding as an organization. The venue for the weekend is the beautiful Stine Barn and grounds in West Des Moines. Join them for exceptional programs, great birding, and fellowship with like-minded individuals. The keynote speaker is Ted Floyd, of the American Birding Association, who will examine how much birding has changed over the course of one hundred years. Activities are planned for newer birders, families, photographers, and seasoned veterans alike!
If you cannot make the celebration, check out the IOU website. They have a wealth of information to learn about birds and find birds in Iowa, including an Iowa bird list with 433 species, an Iowa breeding bird atlas, birding by county, Iowa hot spots, and more! The Ann Barker Library includes issues of Iowa Bird Life dating back to 1931.
Iowa Audubon is an organization of people, corporations and other organizations, including National Audubon Society chapters, all interested in improving bird habitat in Iowa. They are a grass-roots organization that maximizes the use of our collective resources to have the largest impact on habitat issues. Iowa Audubon is a non-profit member organization, with a mission to protect, restore and enjoy Iowa’s natural ecosystems with a focus on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats. Our focus on bird conservation fills a unique niche in Iowa. There is a great opportunity to conserve and improve the habitats most essential to birds across the state.
Iowa Audubon offers small grants for bird conservation research and projects. They also partner with other organizations to manager and monitor Important Bird Areas. If you would like to support Iowa Audubon, consider becoming a member; they have several membership options.
Loess Hills Audubon Society has a dedicated group of members that offer programming and bird outings in the greater Siouxland area. They are currently seeking Bird Friendly designation for Sioux City. Golden Hills RC&D is partnering with LHAS to revise their Siouxland Bird Guide that was originally published in 2003.
Check their Conservation Notes blog for bird-related news. Also, take a look at their calendar for a birding event in the Siouxland area. LHAS organizes annual Christmas Bird Counts, among other birding excursions.
Join IAYB at Springbrook State Park on May 20th at 9 AM as they search for the last migrants of spring and pause to appreciate the local breeding birds as they sing and establish territories. May 20th often marks the peak of warbler diversity in Iowa as amazing species such as Connecticut Warbler, Mourning Warbler, and Canada Warbler fill the woods with their beautiful songs. IAYB will search for these fleeting species and learn about the breeding strategies of different birds. This event is free but advanced registration is required. This outing is open to young birders and their parents/guardians/caretakers. No previous knowledge or experience is necessary.
Birding the Byways
From the Missouri River to the Raccoon River, Western Skies Scenic Byway traverses four of Iowa's landforms and many unique habitat types. If you're looking for waterfowl, upland birds, woodland birds, Western Skies Birding Trail has you covered.
Check out the Western Skies Birding Trail website to learn where you can go birding in the Western Skies corridor (Audubon, Guthrie, Harrison & Shelby counties) and what species you might find.
Bird diversity here is exceptional, with 249 species identified, including 80 Iowa Species of Greatest Conservation Need. Currently, 111 species are known to nest in this BCA’s prairies, savannas, woodlands, and wetlands. This same crucial habitat supplies important bird wintering grounds and migratory stopover sites. Special birds of this area include wood thrush, Bell’s vireo, whip-poor-will, redheaded woodpecker, grasshopper and field sparrows, Blue-winged warbler, and both meadowlark species. The BCA’s western Iowa location makes it a good place to see western bird species that are less often seen elsewhere, like western kingbird, Townsend’s solitaire, and perhaps Lazuli bunting.
There are numerous parks and nature centers in western Iowa that are excellent birding sites. State parks managed by the Iowa DNR, parks managed by county conservation boards, and other publicly accessible lands in western Iowa all offer birding opportunities. Check the park's respective website for organized birding events and tips.
DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge offers great birding year round. The visitor center viewing windows provide great birding of waterfowl and bald eagles during the spring, fall and winter season. Bird feeders are stocked daily at the visitor center and provide good “backyard” birding opportunities. Hitchcock Nature Center is home to HawkWatch, a citizen science driven research project that monitors raptor migration from September 1st to December 13th, counting an average of 13,000 migrating raptors annually. Anyone can join the Hitchcock HawkWatch volunteer team. All you need is a love of birds and a willingness to learn. On-the-job training is provided by the experienced team of HawkWatch volunteers and park staff. To become a Hitchcock HawkWatch volunteer, please complete and submit a volunteer application on the HawkWatch website. The Chris L. Lloyd Swan Restoration Refuge in Buena Vista County is a 10-acre area to promote the restoration of trumpeter swans. A kiosk with information and an observation deck help inform the public about the swans. A five acre lake is surrounded by prairie grasses. The swan refuge is located 10 miles south of Sioux Rapids on Highway 71. Other notable birding sites include, but are not limited to, Sawmill Hollow Wildlife Area in Harrison County, Riverton Wildlife Management Area in Fremont County,and Prairie Heritage Center in O'Brien County. Birding Resources
Besides the aforementioned organizations, the following resources are helpful to both novice and experienced birders.
April 24-28 was the 8th annual Loess Hills Cooperative Burn Week, hosted by Loess Hills Fire Partners. This event is "an opportunity to join with partners to achieve fire management in an area where additional skills and resources were needed to accomplish the work at a landscape scale. It was also an opportunity to build relationships with partners, share knowledge and skills, and work within a more complex organizational structure utilizing an expanded Incident Command System." More than 100 people from dozens of organizations, numerous states, and even Canada, joined this year's event. The group was based out of Loess Hills State Forest headquarters in Pisgah, and burned primarily in Harrison, Monona, and southern Woodbury counties. Fire is an important part of stewardship for western Iowa's land. Historically, fires were set by indigenous peoples and occasional lightning strikes on an interval of every few years. Without these regular fires, fuels build up that pose a serious threat for more dangerous wildfires. Just two weeks before Co-op Burn Week, more than 3,700 acres were burned in the Preparation Canyon Unit of Loess Hills State Forest and adjacent private lands. Other large wildfires have burned several thousand acres in western Iowa in the past year. While Co-Op Burn Week typically involves burning large areas to meet ecological objectives, being able to put out a fire is even more important. Monday's activities focused on fire suppression. Trainers started a small fire and participants had to work together to mobilize resources to extinguish the fire. Drought conditions have made grass and woodland fires more frequent, and high winds can spread them incredibly quickly. The fire suppression activities highlighted the need for excellent communication in a high-stress, time-limited situation with people who have never worked together. Monday evening was a special event in Woodbine, featuring Brad Elder from Nebraska. Brad was badly injured in a burnover while fighting a wildfire in eastern Nebraska in October 2023. He told his story and talked about his recovery, and advised firefighters on how best to avoid a situation like the one he experienced. Also at the Monday evening program, a video about Loess Hills Cooperative Burn Week premiered. The video was created by Amanda Trudell and Shelly Eisenhauer at the 2022 Burn Week. Most of the rest of the week included boots-on-the-ground, live action training with prescribed fire. Participants were divided into several units to conduct multiple burns at the same time. State and county private lands and some private lands were included, both in the Loess Hills landform and on the Missouri River floodplain. More information, including reports on previous Loess Hills Cooperative Burn Weeks, is available at http://www.loesshillsalliance.com/fire.html
Next year's Burn Week will be held in the northern Loess Hills.
Folsom Point Preserve protects one of the largest remaining contiguous prairie remnants in the southern Loess Hills. Purchased in 1999, the prairie provides a valuable habitat for grassland animals, particularly in an area where the prairie community has largely disappeared. The terrain is quite rugged with steep slopes. The preserve is used for research by local students; visitors should avoid flags and other markers. There are no official trails at the preserve but there are several well-traveled footpaths that lead up to and along the ridges, allowing sweeping views of the Missouri River floodplain and the Loess Hills. The nearby factories, however, degrade the view from the ridges. A hike at Folsom Point is still enjoyable, as it is much less frequented than Hitchcock Nature Center yet about the same driving distance from the Omaha/Council Bluffs metro.
This is the second largest park within the Mills County Conservation Board’s park system. It consists of forest, numerous hilltop prairie remnants, 7-acres of restored prairie, and well over 3 miles of hiking trails. Being nestled in the west side of Iowa’s beautiful Loess Hills, the park provides a spectacular view overlooking the Missouri River floodplain. West Oak Forest is inhabited by many threatened and endangered species of the Loess Hills, including the Yucca Moth, Western Spadefoot Toad, Ottoe Skipper, Northern Grasshopper Mouse, and various others.. The topography of the property is very steep with corrugated hills and the highest point being 1,100 feet above sea level. Heavily forested with upland hardwoods including bur oak, red oak, ironwood, basswood, scattered black walnut and shagbark hickory.
Pony Creek is located along the Loess Hills Scenic Byway. Pony Creek Park is a National Historic Landmark. The Davis Oriole earth lodge site is located here. To protect the archaeological integrity of the site, it is not specifically marked.
Mile Hill Lake consists of a hardwood forest, which is open to public hunting, and a 10-acre fishing lake with boat dock and ramp. When driving into the park you will find an interpretive panel discussing the prehistoric culture that lived in this region, and the handicap accessible Scenic Overlook, which offers an interpretive panel discussing the Loess Hills Scenic Byway. You will also see a2 acre restored prairie, and several flowerbeds which are maintained by the Mills County Co-Horts. There are various hiking trails within the park, including the most recent addition that leads through a marsh area, with a newly installed footbridge.
The preserve is a low impact recreation area, meaning that no public activity can impair the integrity of the site. The site hosts multi-use trails ready for running, hiking, biking and wildlife observation. Aside from the archaeological sites within the property, one can also find forest, oak savanna, native prairie, restored prairie and agricultural grounds on the site. There are 107 recorded archaeological sites in the Glenwood Archaeological State Preserve, ranging from about 10,000 years in age to the early Euro-American settlement era, 150 years ago. Most significant are 27 earth lodge sites in the preserve that are related to the Glenwood Culture, also known as the Nebraska phase of the Central Plains tradition. Only a small fraction of the preserve has been archaeologically surveyed, so many more sites probably exist in the preserve. Hiking the Byways is a regular series by Golden Hills RC&D that features publicly accessible lands open to hiking on the three scenic byways in western Iowa that Golden Hills RC&D coordinates: Glacial Trail Scenic Byway, Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, and Western Skies Scenic Byway. Each blog post covers hiking areas in one county on one of the aforementioned byways. For questions about hiking on the byways, contact Seth Brooks ([email protected]).
The breeches are white and sometimes tinged with pink, and are attached to the flower stalk at the crotch by a delicate flower stem. The leaves are frilly or fern-like and grow underneath the arching flower stalk. The leaves appear first; then fragrant flowers bloom in clusters, resembling pants hanging on a clothesline. Early bumblebees come for the nectar of the flowers and pollinate them. Dutchman's breeches have a mutualistic relationship with ants called myrmecochory. Ants distribute the seeds by taking them to their nests. The ants feed on a fleshy part of the seeds and the seeds germinate and sprout from the nests.
Dutchman's breeches can be found in woodlands in western Iowa and throughout much of the Loess Hills. They are easily found in Waubonsie State Park and Hitchcock Nature Center, just to name two of the many places you can find this early blooming woodland wildflower. Duncans Poultry started in 1987 when Matt Duncan was 13 and his brother Wade was 17. Matt had experience working at a feed store in Beebeetown. They tried raising chicks and had them processed at a facility in Nebraska, but did not think the processor did the best job. They then processed some of their grandparent's birds, and started doing more processing from there. Early on, processing was completed in a small calf shed, which was quickly outgrown. Their primary customers early on were farmers. Many customers at first preferred only slaughtering and defeathering, and would do the butchering on their own. Eventually Duncans began selling chicks and feed, and doing more butchering. In the 1990s, a boom in acreage development significantly increased demand for chickens. Many people moved out to the country and wanted small flocks of a few birds to a few dozen birds. This demand increased even further in 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic. Duncans thought it might be a temporary fad, but interest has yet to wane three years later. Their processing is custom exempt, which means poultry processed here cannot be sold to restaurants, grocery stores, or other commercial. Producers can “pre-sell” birds, meaning producers must pick up their own birds after processing. In 2020 they finished a new processing facility that can be state or federally inspected. So far, however, most of their poultry processing is still done in the older facilities. The new facility is primarily being used for deer processing, though they plan to use the state-inspected facilities more in the future. The ‘official’ building brings additional regulations and requirements, including a state or federal inspector on site during inspections. This takes longer and producers need to pick up their birds the following day, versus the same day with custom-exempt processing. The benefits of the state-inspected processing include meat could be sold at commercial outlets across Iowa. If they chose to use a federal USDA inspector, meat could also be sold across state lines to Nebraska and other states through the CIS program. With the custom-exempt processing, Duncans can get through about 100 birds per hour. Each year they process 30,000 birds or more. They raise about 1,000 of their own birds each year, and their customers come from across Iowa, Nebraska, and other nearby states. In addition to processing, Duncans sell a lot of chicks, feed, vegetable seeds, honey, and other farm supplies. Their nest boxes are becoming increasingly popular. They also have a level of knowledge of these products that most big-box store staff do not. If you’re interested in raising poultry, contact Duncans! Even if you’re not, check out their farm store and museum with historic artifacts relating to poultry and farming. Store hours are 8am-2pm Monday thru Friday and 8am-Noon Saturdays. Check out their website and Facebook page to learn more.
Littlefield Recreation Area is Audubon County Conservation Board's largest and most popular park. It began in 1965 with 40 acres of timber and 20 acres that were developed into a recreational area. In 1975 and 1976 the park's sized increase by 385 acres due to the Troublesome Creek Watershed Project. Two dams were built along Troublesome Creek forming the lake that is used for recreational purposes and flood control. There are roughly 3 miles of maintained hiking trails. The park road is also a great spot to walk or ride a bike. The timber area provides an excellent area to view and photograph wildlife & wildflowers. These trails are available for use as cross country ski trails in the winter. Littlefield Park is located six miles east of Exira on County Road F58, just a few miles north of Interstate 80. It is approximately an hour from Des Moines and an hour and a half from Omaha, Nebraska.
The trail is hard surface making it great for biking, walking, running, and rollerblading. Most of the trail is asphalt with a few miles in the middle made out of concrete. The T-Bone Trail is a former railroad right of way; purchased with the help of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. It is named for the T-Bone event that originated in the 1950s in Audubon when the farmers all loaded up their cattle on to a train and rode with them to market in Chicago.
Audubon's old old county home was built in 1890 for indigent persons of the county. In the 1970s the ACHS acquired the house (and other buildings) to create a museum. The facility is collectively called Nathaniel Hamlin Park. Early members of the historical society created a wonderful museum that tells the story of settlement of the area from 1850 to the present. The 2-story brick home has its original floor plan and 1800 sq.ft. of display space including: large kitchen & pantry, Victorian parlor, and bedrooms. Other room displays: quilt & sewing, military, children's play room, schools, churches, collections (beauty shop), hats & clothing, and the "Audubon" Room -- a collection of birds and animals.The park includes: one room schoolhouse, barns and antique farm machinery. That's not all -- the 10-acre park has live elk & windmill displays, and many picnic tables. Come and spend the day! Hiking the Byways is a regular series by Golden Hills RC&D that features publicly accessible lands open to hiking on the three scenic byways in western Iowa that Golden Hills RC&D coordinates: Glacial Trail Scenic Byway, Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, and Western Skies Scenic Byway. Each blog post covers hiking areas in one county on one of the aforementioned byways. For questions about hiking on the byways, contact Seth Brooks ([email protected]).
Hiking is an excellent way to stay fit and active, not only for humans but also for our furry friends. FitPaws named April as National Canine Fitness Month to bring awareness to canine obesity and remind everyone to keep their dog active and fit. Western Iowa has great hiking opportunities, and many of them are dog-friendly. However, there are several things a responsible dog owner should know and do before hitting the trail with their pooch.
Boning up on training is another useful preparation before hitting the trails. Having a well behaved and well trained doggo will make the hike better for everyone: you, your dog, other hikers, other dogs on the trail, and wildlife. Your dog should be under voice control and know basic commands like sit, down, leave it, and others. If you hike with your dog off-leash--if it is allowed where you are hiking--reliable recall is absolutely imperative to protect your dog, other dogs, other hikers, and wildlife. Your dog should immediately return to you when instructed; if not, don't hike off-leash! When you begin to plan where you are going hiking, get to know trail regulations and trail etiquette. First and foremost, make sure dogs are allowed where you plan to visit. If it isn't clear on the park's website, call to confirm. If would be awful to arrive at the trailhead only to learn that dogs are not allowed. Don't assume every hiker will like your dog. Don't approach other dogs before asking the owner first. In a nutshell, be a B.A.R.K Ranger:
The importance of keeping your dog on a leash cannot be understated. Hiking off-leash is a wonderful pleasure if your dog is under voice control, has reliable recall, and off-leash hiking is allowed. Watching your dog frolic freely in nature is any dog owner's dream. However, consider the following as reasons to leash your dog:
One final topic before we recommend dog-friendly hikes: plan your dog's needs while on the trail. A six-foot leash is the first thing you'll need; consider a hands-free option if you like to take pictures while hiking. Updated vaccinations, identification (name tag with contact information, and possibly an imbedded microchip), and flea and tick repellent are also integral to your dog's hiking safety. It also helpful to know how to remove a tick from your dog, as early removal helps reduce the chance of a secondary illness. A bath or grooming session post-hike will allow you to check for invaders as well as burrs, foxtails, and other debris caught in your dog’s fur. While a first aid kit should be part of everyone's ten essentials, consider a specific kit for your pet. Keeping your dog hydrated is vital, so bring a collapsible bowl and a water bottle specifically for your dog. A supply of waste bags will help you leave no trace, while food and treats will keep your dog's energy up. Finally, consider a coat for wet or cold weather; if it's hunting season, ensure your dog's safety with an article of blaze orange clothing. Now, let's finally get to the good stuff. What are the best dog-friendly hikes in western Iowa? Well, if you've read this far, you'll know the answer: it depends on your dog! Some dogs are active and can hike for miles, while other dogs will tire out after a short jaunt. There are numerous parks, trails, and areas in western Iowa that welcome hikers with dogs--check out our Hiking the Byways series for a detailed list that includes which parks, refuges, etc., are dog-friendly. Below is a selection of great places to hike with your dog in western Iowa. Stone State Park: The trails in the southern part of the park are multi-use, including equestrian riders, so it might be best to stick to the northern trails to avoid any uncomfortable interactions with horses and dogs. The drawback, however, is that you must walk on park roads in order to connect most of the northern trails, so be cautious when walking on park roads. Bacon Creek Park: Bacon Creek Park not only has three miles of trails, it also has a large off-leash dog area for your furry friends to run and play with other doggos.
Old Town Conservation Area: Hunting is allowed at Old Town, so if you go hiking in the fall or winter, make sure that you and your dog are wearing bright orange. It's also crucial to keep your dog leashed during hunting season for its protection and out of respect for hunters. There eight miles of trails at Old Town allow hikers to create hikes of varying lengths.
West Oak Forest: No amenities, so pack sufficiently. West Oak Forest is quiet and tranquil, so you and your pup will have a great time hiking the mowed grass trails. Check for ticks after you've hiked.
Waubonsie State Park: The equestrian trails are great to hike, however, stick to Sunset Ridge and the other trails south of the highway in the state park, as dogs can spook horses. There are plenty of trails around the park office to get your dog proper exercise and enjoy wonderful views of the Missouri River Valley from Sunset Ridge. |
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Address712 South Highway Street
P.O. Box 189 Oakland, IA 51560 |
ContactPhone: 712-482-3029
General inquiries: [email protected] Visit our Staff Page for email addresses and office hours. |