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:Prairie blazing star lit up.

Last spotted:robin· 34 days agoSee all →

🌿 The Land Explore Events 🗺 Claim a Patch 🌾 Volunteer 🌱 Donate

21.1 mag/arcsec²

Bortle 4 · Rural/Suburban Sky

112

Species · 266 Sightings

320.9

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.

August

Prairie blazing star lit up.

Prairie blazing star is lit up — lavender spikes across the ridges. The heat settles deep into the loess soil and radiates back at night.

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."

Brian S.

Papillion, NE

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🌲 Life in the Loess Hills

Summer·Looking out over the Loess Hills ridge

1 / 24

What to watch this week

Recently spotted near the Loess Hills

Red-winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

Aug 6 · Interstate 29, Blencoe, Iowa, US (41.902, -96.104)

Western Kingbird

Tyrannus verticalis

Aug 6 · Interstate 29, Onawa, Iowa, US (41.989, -96.109)

Mourning Dove

Zenaida macroura

Aug 6 · Interstate 29, Onawa, Iowa, US (42.067, -96.165)

⭐ 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) →

🌿 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

Loess Hills – Elysian Prairie & Restoration Project

Every event and every donation directly funds the restoration of one of Iowa's most endangered ecosystems. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, your contribution is fully tax-deductible.

✔Restoring native Loess Hills prairie habitat

✔Protecting endangered plant and insect species

✔Community education & conservation outreach

View Conservation Map →🌿 See Land Health Data →

Support the Prairie 🌱

Your donation directly funds prairie restoration in the Loess Hills. All donations receive an IRS-compliant tax receipt.

Support Conservation

Your donation helps protect and restore the Loess Hills ecosystem.

Join the Prairie Sustainers — a monthly gift that funds the year-round work of protecting and restoring the Loess Hills.

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🌾

The land changes every month.
Be here for it.

Big bluestem copper. Indiangrass gold in SeptemberSmooth sumac crimson. Deer in rut in October

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