Elysian Prairie — Loess Hills
ElysianPrairie

Native prairie restoration in the ancient Loess Hills

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit returning the Loess Hills to their wild, living roots — one acre at a time.

Right now on the land:Purple coneflower. Fireflies at dusk.
Last spotted:Burrowing Owl,· yesterdaySee all →
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285+
Acres of Prairie
501(c)(3)
Nonprofit
Loess Hills
Iowa
The Loess Hills · Western Iowa
Less than 1% of Iowa's original
tallgrass prairie still exists.

The Loess Hills are one of the rarest landforms on earth — ancient wind-deposited bluffs found only here and in China. Elysian Prairie is one of the places fighting to bring it back.

317
acres treated

Of cumulative restoration work completed on this land — invasive removal, native seeding, prescribed fire.

99%
of it was gone

Of Iowa's original tallgrass prairie had been converted to agriculture by the time conservation efforts began here.

500+
native species

Once supported by intact Loess Hills prairie. Many are already returning to the restored zones on this land.

June
Purple coneflower. Fireflies at dusk.

Purple coneflower and black-eyed Susan coming into their own. By mid-June, fireflies are everywhere in the low areas.

See what else is happening on the land →
People who've been here

What the land does to people

Real words from guests who've walked these ridges, camped in the draws, and watched the fireflies come up.

"
★★★★★

"This is one of the most amazing pieces of properties in Iowa. I was blown away by how peaceful, pretty and vast it is. The owners are so kind and the work they're creating is a midwestern's outdoor paradise."

B
Brian S.
Papillion, NE
1 / 6
🌲 Life in the Loess Hills
Looking out over the Loess Hills ridge
Summer·Looking out over the Loess Hills ridge
1 / 24

What to watch this week

Recently spotted near the Loess Hills

Killdeer
Charadrius vociferus
Jun 28 · 2835 28th Street, Onawa, Iowa, US (42.026, -96.128)
Northern Yellow Warbler
Setophaga aestiva
Jun 25 · Loess Hills Forest Overlook
Dickcissel
Spiza americana
Jun 25 · Loess Hills Forest Overlook
⭐ very rare sighting
Long-eared Owl
May 15
⭐ rare sighting
Bell's Vireo
May 15
All sightings on the land →📷 Identify what you see →
🌾

The land changes every month.
Be here for it.

Compass plant towers. Monarchs passing in JulyPrairie blazing star lit up in August

Conservation milestones, seasonal sightings, and new events — delivered when they happen, not on a schedule.