Iowa

This Land is Your Land

Experience some of Iowa's natural areas protected by The Nature Conservancy and our partners.

Waterman PrairieWaterman Prairie © The Nature Conservancy
Waterman Prairie

The Waterman Prairie Complex is an 1,800-acre tract of public land which extends along the Waterman Creek and Little Sioux watersheds. Raptors use the valley for hunting and as a migratory route. Use the Prairie Heritage Center to help you explore.

Five Ridge PrairieFive Ridge Prairie © The Nature Conservancy
Five Ridge Prairie

The 790 acre Five Ridge Prairie, a dedicated state preserve in western Plymouth County, exemplifies the northern loess bluffs of western Iowa with a mixture of oak timbered valleys, native prairie ridge tops and west facing slopes. This TNC protected the area in 1984 and transferred it to the Plymouth County Conservation Board. Learn More

Ringgold GrasslandsRinggold Grasslands © The Nature Conservancy
Grand River Grasslands

This area is the Prairie Chicken’s last stand in Iowa. The Nature Conservancy has owned or transferred some 500 acres that are also home to upland sandpipers and short eared owls. Learn More

Read More

Photo Special Features TabLion in Maasai Mara, Kenya, Africa. © Kenneth K. Coe

Close Encounters with Nature

Whether scary or exciting, nature has a way of sneaking up on you. See stories

Arden OConnor 215x143Arden O’Connor. © Lajla LeBlanc

Nature Matters

Hear some of nature's success stories and see how nature matters to us all. Watch videos

Explore Related Content

Iowa Protected Areas
Download this map (PDF) showing The Nature Conservancy's protected areas in Iowa.
Places We Protect
Find out more information about where The Nature Conservancy works in Iowa. Learn More