The Nature Conservancy in Iowa - Fred Maytag II Family Preserve

Fred Maytag II Family Preserve

Maytag Preserve
© Neal Humke

Why You Should Visit
The Maytag Preserve are home to rare riparian oak savanna remnants and one of two intact channel fens known to exist in Iowa. The wetland and woodland communities in this region begin to take on a more Southern or "ozarkian" composition. Watch for pin oak, sycamore, river birch, and especially massive bur and swamp white oaks. The subspecies of bur oak growing here, which is uncommon in Iowa, loves wet feet and produces massive acorns. The buttonbush growing on the fringes of the wetland at Maytag II qualifies this wetland a true "swamp," defined as a wetland with a woody component. Several other uncommon and rare species of plants, reptiles and amphibians inhabit the Maytag preserves. Collecting is strictly forbidden and a violation of state law. One of these critters is venomous so watch your step! We are also trying to document successful Red-shouldered Hawk and Sandhill Crane nests in the area. They have been seen on numerous occasions, but nesting has not been confirmed. IF you see a nest or young of these birds please let us know!

Location
Muscatine County, on the Cedar River.

Size
244 acres

Conditions
During the growing season the Maytag Preserve is very wet and at times flooded. Many pools of standing water are present. Boots and mosquito repellent are a must.

How to Prepare for Your Visit
Please see our "Preserve Visitation Guidelines" page.

Directions
Tract 1: From the intersection of Highway 70 and County G-28, just north of Conesville, IA, travel south on Highway 70 one mile to 245th Ave. Turn left, east, on 245th, which is at the northern city limits of Conesville. Travel east on 245th 1.75 miles, the preserve in on the left, north side of the road. Parking for both tracts is limited to the gravel road adjacent to them. Tract 2: From the intersection of Highway 70 and County G-28, just north of Conesville, IA, travel south on Highway 70 one mile to 245th Ave. Turn left, east, on 245th, which is at the northern city limits of Conesville. Travel east on 245th one (1) miles, the preserve in on the right, south side of the road. Parking for both tracts is limited to the gravel road adjacent to them.

What to See: Plants
A wide array of trees include: river birch, bur oak, pin oak, bitternut hickory and black willow. The understory is covered with various prairie and wetland grassed and forbs, such as: cardinal flower, redbud, spotted horsemint, buttonbush, arrowhead, sweetflag, gray's sedge, swamp oval sedge, blue flag, virginia wild rye, rice cutgrass, slough grass and cattail.

What to See: Animals
Many reptiles and amphibians live in this area including: massasauga rattlesnake, small mouth salamander, and central newt. Beaver, muskrats, waterfowl and wild turkey are common here.

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
The floodplain around the town of Conesville is among the most botanically rich regions in the state of Iowa and the Midwest. There are few places anywhere else where you can find so many plant communities in such a small area. Riparian wetlands, savanna's, forests and sand prairies all coexist in one small area. The reptile and amphibian diversity is also phenomenal. A Gap analysis by Iowa State University indicates that this is Iowa's herpetological hotspot. Several plants and animals that are found here are found nowhere else in the state. The Central Tallgrass Fen community and Swamp White Oak Woodland found here are both ranked as G1 communities - making them the rarest communities tracked by TNC.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
Prescribe fire will play an important role in the management of the woodland communities. 150 years of fire suppression have greatly diminished the savanna woodlands and fire is absolutely essential to restore these communities.