Description
Lois Tiffany Prairie is an 80-acre preserve nestled in the heart of the Little Sioux Valley, dedicated to the memory of Dr. Lois Tiffany—a renowned professor of mycology and field botany at Iowa State University. Dr. Tiffany’s deep passion for the natural world and her lifelong commitment to education left a profound impact on her students and the broader field of botany.
The Little Sioux Valley, a priority conservation landscape in Iowa, is ecologically rich and diverse. The Little Sioux River begins in southern Minnesota and winds its way south, skirting the Iowa Great Lakes and flowing through ancient glacial deposits before joining the Missouri River. This northwestern Iowa watershed is a dynamic mosaic of prairie, river, lake and wetland ecosystems. Once dominated by tallgrass prairie, the region still supports rare native remnants, including pothole wetlands, calcareous fens, hill prairies and oak woodlands.
Why TNC Selected This Site
Lois Tiffany Prairie lies within Little Sioux Valley, one of the largest concentrations of prairie remnants outside the Loess Hills. The preserve’s intact prairie, diverse wildlife habitats and peaceful wetlands reflect the natural beauty that Dr. Tiffany studied and cherished throughout her career.
Here, prairie grasses and wildflowers thrive, attracting pollinators like butterflies and grassland birds such as the dickcissel and bobolink. The watershed also includes Iowa’s largest glacial lakes, which serve as vital stopovers for migratory waterfowl.
Despite its beauty, the region faces ecological challenges, including fire suppression, invasive species and unsustainable grazing practices. Water quality in rivers, streams and drinking sources are also a concern in this region.
What TNC Is Doing
TNC is actively working to protect and restore the ecological health of the Little Sioux Valley. This includes Lois Tiffany Prairie as well as other nearby preserves such as the 110-acre Freda Haffner Kettlehole State Preserve and Glacial Hills Preserve.
By preserving large, connected tracts of native prairie, TNC aims to safeguard not only rare wildflowers and grasses but also the birds, mammals and insects that depend on these habitats. These species require expansive, healthy ecosystems to maintain genetic diversity and ensure long-term survival.
