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:Big bluestem copper. Indiangrass gold.
Last spotted:robin· 79 days agoSee all →
🌿 The LandExplore Events🗺 Claim a Patch🌾 Volunteer🌱 Donate
55
Species · 176 Sightings
70.5
Acres in Restoration
robin
Last Detected · Jul 12
501(c)(3)
Nonprofit
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.

September
Big bluestem copper. Indiangrass gold.

The grasses are turning. Big bluestem goes copper-bronze, indiangrass goes gold. Broad-winged hawk migration peaks from the high ridges.

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

American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
Sep 25 · Loess Hills SF--Preparation Canyon Unit, Jones Creek Pond
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
Sep 25 · Loess Hills SF--Preparation Canyon Unit, Jones Creek Pond
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
Sep 25 · Loess Hills SF--Preparation Canyon Unit, Jones Creek Pond
⭐ very rare sighting
Long-eared Owl
May 15
⭐ rare sighting
Bell's Vireo
May 15
All sightings on the land →📷 Identify what you see →
🤝 Join the crew

The prairie is restored by hand

Every acre we bring back is the work of volunteers — cutting cedar, gathering and sowing native seed, surveying species, and tending the land through the seasons. No experience is needed, just a willingness to get your hands in the soil.

✔Hands-on restoration days across the seasons
✔Flexible — come once or become a regular
✔Training and tools provided on site
Full volunteer signup (waiver + availability) →
Volunteer with us 🌾

No experience needed — just a love for the land. Tell us you're interested and we'll reach out.

Want to volunteer regularly? Complete the full signup →

🌾

The land changes every month.
Be here for it.

Smooth sumac crimson. Deer in rut in OctoberThe standing grasses hold the light in November

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