More information on Iowa's Fens

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Want to visit a fen?

Though Iowa has many fens, some have limited access because they are privately owned (like Becky's Fen) or are very fragile (like Hanging Bog). However, you can visit the following fens:

1. Dickinson County: Silver Lake Fen State Preserve; Excelsior Fen, more info
2. Clay County: Fen Valley Wildlife Area (9 intact fens in a single complex)
3. Osceola County: Willow Creek Fen
4. Buchanan County: Rowley Fen, more info
5. Clayton County: Kleve-Schneider Fen, more info
6. Fayette County: Becky's Fen. Though normally closed to the public, the Fayette County Conservation Board sponsors an annual hike at Becky's Fen each September (this year on Sept. 7). For more information, visit our events page or call FCCB at  563-422-4156.

Want to know more?

If you think you own a fen and want to know more, contact
Mark Leoschke at 515-281-5951 or John Pearson at 515-281-3891.

***www.iawetlands.iastate.edu features numerous links, plus a down-loadable version of "Managing Iowa Habitats: Fen Wetlands," by G. Bryan (ISU Extension Service, 1993)

INHF protects natural areas throughout Iowa, including fens. Read more about our recently protected fen in Allamakee County.

Article References

• Pearson, John A. and Mark L. Leoschke. 1992. Floristic composition and conservation status of Iowa fens. JIAS 99(2-3):41-52.
• Thompson, C.A., E.A. Bettis III, and R.G. Baker. 1992. Geology of Iowa fens. JIAS 99(2-3):53-59.
• Main, Stephen P. and David E. Busch. 1992. Diatoms of northeastern Iowa fens. JIAS 99(1):15-22.
• Leoschke, Mark and John Pearson. 1988. Fen- a special kind of wetland. Iowa Conservationist 47(3):16-19. March 1988.
• Nekola, J.C. 1994. Environment and vascular flora of northeastern Iowa fen communities. Rhodora 96:121-169.
• Nekola, J.C. and T.G. Lammers. 1989. Vascular flora of Brayton-Horsley Prairie: a remnant prairie and spring fen complex in eastern Iowa. Castanea 54:238-254.
• Eggers, Steve D. and Donald M. Reed. 1997. Wetland plants and plant communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District. 263 pp. (Has short, but nice and illustrated chapter on fens)

Back to complete Ecology College article on Iowa's fens.

For more information, e-mail Cathy Engstrom, Director of Communications, or call (515) 288-1846.