Long hidden and rare, remnant prairie re-emerges after Iowa project removes unwanted invasives

Some of Iowa’s lesser known native prairie plants have returned to the hills overlooking Rock Creek Lake this spring, after a project last November knocked back invasive plant species such as honeysuckle and autumn olive that had thickly spread onto the area.

Standing on this patch of newly returning remnant prairie, wildlife biologist Todd Gosselink pointed out native flowers that were just waiting in the soil for the opportunity to reappear.

“Maximillian sunflower, butterfly milkweed, wild bergamot, rattlesnake master, flowering spurge, cream gentian, prairie dogbane, pale spiked lobelia,” he said while pointing to each plant as he saw it. For anyone interested in seeing these unique plants, the flowers won’t hit their peak colors until July and August.

“We need to get fire on this area to keep it in prairie. Historic 1930s and 1950s photos showed it was most likely used for pasture, so we thought if we could open it up from the invasive shrub growth that the prairie would return.”

What also could return is bobwhite quail, Gosselink said, after hearing nearby the call of a field sparrow.

“Having field sparrows present is an indicator that the type of habitat exists that could support quail,” he said. “There have been quail heard here it the past, so this work helps create more habitat for them.”

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Managing land as prairie based on what had historically been the habitat on these rolling hills is at the core of the area’s ten-year management plan, and it takes constant work to reclaim and maintain the prairie to fend off invasive woody encroachment.

Rock Creek Wildlife Area consists of about 850 acres of public land nearly all north of the state park by the same name.  The smaller of the two main parcels, separated by about a mile to the west, is the 250-acre Deppe tract that is in prairie, with wildlife food plots and a 24-acre pond that is popular for fishing and as a place to paddle. It was burned as part of the rotational schedule of prescribed fire this spring.

“It’s amazing the difference after you burn, how the plants respond,” Gosselink said. “Grassland birds like openings on the prairie floor, and a diverse prairie plant mix. Pheasant chicks can move more freely versus trying to navigate old prairie grass thatch from the previous year’s growth. And the prairie flowers attract insects and pheasant chicks eat insects.”

Rock Creek Wildlife Area is a popular place for dove and pheasant hunting in the fall, but doesn’t see as many visitors in the spring and summer.

“There’s a lot of opportunity here – a lot of diversity of habitats to explore, from kayaking on the ponds, fishing to wildlife viewing to hiking in the prairie or enjoying everything the state park has to offer,” he said.

With nearly 200 campsites, Rock Creek State Park is one of Iowa’s busiest campgrounds and features a full-service marina offering boat rentals, hunting and fishing licenses, live bait, select groceries, camping supplies, firewood, t-shirts, ice cream, concessions and more.

The park has more than eight miles of multi-use tails, fishing jetties, lakeside campsites and more. The 466-acre Rock Creek Lake offers fishing for bluegills, crappies, largemouth bass, channel catfish and walleyes. The lake has excellent shoreline access.