Explore Hartley Heritage Fen in Jasper County

By Taylor on September 6, 2013 in Blog

It's the time of year for the Iowa Prairie Heritage Week!

To kick off a week filled with prairie appreciation activities across the state, join Inger Lamb and Laurie Fenimore of the Iowa Prairie Network at the Hartley Heritage Fen.

On Saturday, September 7, 2013, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. individuals are invited to explore the fen in Mingo, Iowa, owned by the Jasper County Conservation Board.

Hartley Heritage Fen is a 31.5-acre site with a 6-acre fen and upland areas that are being restored using seed from local high-quality prairies. According to the Iowa Prairie Network, “a fen is a remnant of the tallgrass prairie landscape occupying the southern portion of the Des Moines Lobe landform. Fens are a rare system, fed primarily by groundwater and upland drainage, rather than precipitation. In addition to unique prairie flora, the fen is filled with many species of animals.”

Location: Located north of Valaria off of N. 59th Ave W. Take Interstate 80 to exit 149 (the Mitchellville exit). Go north on S-27 for 5.5 miles to NE 110th Ave. Turn east (right) onto NE 110th Ave. Go 1 mile east to the next stop sign (NE 120th St) and stop. Hartley Heritage Fen will be directly to the northeast.

Please direct questions to Inger Lamb at 515-250-1693.