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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>N Butler Rd</div> <div> <span>Cedar Falls</span>, <span>IA</span> <span>50613</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/preserves/preservesguide.pdf?amp;tabid=944" target="_blank">Visit Website</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 515-244-5044</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Cedar+Hills+Sand+Prairie+State+Preserve%2C+N+Butler+Rd%2C+Cedar+Falls%2C+IA+50613" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in western Black Hawk County. Formerly known as “Mark Sand Prairie,” it has been managed by the University of Northern Iowa Biological Preserves since its discovery in 1969. It was acquired by the Iowa chapter of The Nature Conservancy in 1985 from Wayne Mark. The preserve was dedicated in 1985 for its biological and geological features. Located in the Iowan Surface landform region, the preserve sits atop a broad sandy divide between the Cedar River and Beaver Creek, and is one of a series of aeolian (wind-formed) sandy ridges found along the Cedar River valley. Within the preserve, dry sand prairie occupies the upland ridges and sedge meadow occupies a large swale in the northeastern portion of the preserve. A small fen is found on seepy, peaty soil in a portion of the sedge meadow. Small marshes are found in the southwest corner of the preserve. More than 360 native species of grasses and forbs have been identified here, plus at least 107 species of diatoms. Little bluestem, porcupine grass, big bluestem, Indian grass, and prairie cordgrass are common grasses found along a dry to wet gradient. In the spring, marsh marigold is very showy in the swales, followed by hoary and hairy puccoons on the sandy slopes, bird’s-foot violet and thimbleweed on the upland prairies, and blue flag iris and shooting star on the moist lowlands. Prairie larkspur, wild rose, and black-eyed Susan bloom in the summer months. In late summer, the purple flowers of rough and prairie blazing stars can be spectacular. Asters and bottle gentian are among the last flowers to bloom in the fall. Over fifty species of birds can be found here, including bobolink, yellowheaded blackbird, upland sandpiper, grasshopper sparrow, and savannah sparrow. Plains pocket gophers, masked shrews, short-tailed shrews, and western harvest mice are common in the dry sand prairie, while whitefooted mice, deer mice, and meadow voles are common in the moist swale and transitional zones of the preserve. Over fifty species of butterflies have been found at the preserve as well, including the regal fritillary, Arogos skipper, Iowa skipper, gorgone checkerspot, two-spotted skipper, black dash, dion skipper, and broad-winged skipper. In August, migrating monarch butterflies gather by the thousands before they continue their journey south. Hunting is not permitted. Other natural areas in the vicinity include Clay Prairie State Preserve, Hartman Bluff State Preserve, and George Wyth State Park.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/cedar-falls-ia/report/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/cedar-falls-ia/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/cedar-falls-ia/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Cedar Falls</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Cedar Falls</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ia-intro-to-tech-meetup-virtual-ia-121724-49n4bx7hwxg.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-INTRO-TO-TECH-MEETUP">Intro to Tech: Meetup</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/we-need-to-talk-virtual-seminar-121724-nxnnsslv22x.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AGING-AND-DRIVING-WE-NEED-TO-TALK-VIRTUAL-SEMINAR">Aging and Driving: ‘We Need to Talk’ Virtual Seminar</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ilmornings-with-flo-zumba-virtual-121724-wfnvc9zll97.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-MORNINGS-WITH-FLO-FITNESS-A-TOTALBODY-ZUMBA-WORKOUT">Mornings with Flo Fitness: A Total-Body Zumba Workout</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Facebook</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/cedar-falls-ia/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-CEDARFALLS-IA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-CEDARFALLS-IA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Iowa Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Iowa Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/aarpiowa" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/aarpiowa" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarpiowa">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Iowa</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:IAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IAAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/iowa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Iowa</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/contact-us-2/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-CEDARFALLS-IA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarpiowa" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpIA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarp_iowa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve - Cedar Falls, IA</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve - Cedar Falls, IA"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in" name="description"/> <meta content="Cedar, Hills, Sand, Prairie, State, Preserve, Falls, IA" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="42.562975"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-92.554613"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>N Butler Rd</div> <div> <span>Cedar Falls</span>, <span>IA</span> <span>50613</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/preserves/preservesguide.pdf?amp;tabid=944" target="_blank">Visit Website</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 515-244-5044</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Cedar+Hills+Sand+Prairie+State+Preserve%2C+N+Butler+Rd%2C+Cedar+Falls%2C+IA+50613" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in western Black Hawk County. Formerly known as “Mark Sand Prairie,” it has been managed by the University of Northern Iowa Biological Preserves since its discovery in 1969. It was acquired by the Iowa chapter of The Nature Conservancy in 1985 from Wayne Mark. The preserve was dedicated in 1985 for its biological and geological features. Located in the Iowan Surface landform region, the preserve sits atop a broad sandy divide between the Cedar River and Beaver Creek, and is one of a series of aeolian (wind-formed) sandy ridges found along the Cedar River valley. Within the preserve, dry sand prairie occupies the upland ridges and sedge meadow occupies a large swale in the northeastern portion of the preserve. A small fen is found on seepy, peaty soil in a portion of the sedge meadow. Small marshes are found in the southwest corner of the preserve. More than 360 native species of grasses and forbs have been identified here, plus at least 107 species of diatoms. Little bluestem, porcupine grass, big bluestem, Indian grass, and prairie cordgrass are common grasses found along a dry to wet gradient. In the spring, marsh marigold is very showy in the swales, followed by hoary and hairy puccoons on the sandy slopes, bird’s-foot violet and thimbleweed on the upland prairies, and blue flag iris and shooting star on the moist lowlands. Prairie larkspur, wild rose, and black-eyed Susan bloom in the summer months. In late summer, the purple flowers of rough and prairie blazing stars can be spectacular. Asters and bottle gentian are among the last flowers to bloom in the fall. Over fifty species of birds can be found here, including bobolink, yellowheaded blackbird, upland sandpiper, grasshopper sparrow, and savannah sparrow. Plains pocket gophers, masked shrews, short-tailed shrews, and western harvest mice are common in the dry sand prairie, while whitefooted mice, deer mice, and meadow voles are common in the moist swale and transitional zones of the preserve. Over fifty species of butterflies have been found at the preserve as well, including the regal fritillary, Arogos skipper, Iowa skipper, gorgone checkerspot, two-spotted skipper, black dash, dion skipper, and broad-winged skipper. In August, migrating monarch butterflies gather by the thousands before they continue their journey south. Hunting is not permitted. Other natural areas in the vicinity include Clay Prairie State Preserve, Hartman Bluff State Preserve, and George Wyth State Park.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/cedar-falls-ia/report/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>N Butler Rd</div> <div> <span>Cedar Falls</span>, <span>IA</span> <span>50613</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/preserves/preservesguide.pdf?amp;tabid=944" target="_blank">Visit Website</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 515-244-5044</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Cedar+Hills+Sand+Prairie+State+Preserve%2C+N+Butler+Rd%2C+Cedar+Falls%2C+IA+50613" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in western Black Hawk County. Formerly known as “Mark Sand Prairie,” it has been managed by the University of Northern Iowa Biological Preserves since its discovery in 1969. It was acquired by the Iowa chapter of The Nature Conservancy in 1985 from Wayne Mark. The preserve was dedicated in 1985 for its biological and geological features. Located in the Iowan Surface landform region, the preserve sits atop a broad sandy divide between the Cedar River and Beaver Creek, and is one of a series of aeolian (wind-formed) sandy ridges found along the Cedar River valley. Within the preserve, dry sand prairie occupies the upland ridges and sedge meadow occupies a large swale in the northeastern portion of the preserve. A small fen is found on seepy, peaty soil in a portion of the sedge meadow. Small marshes are found in the southwest corner of the preserve. More than 360 native species of grasses and forbs have been identified here, plus at least 107 species of diatoms. Little bluestem, porcupine grass, big bluestem, Indian grass, and prairie cordgrass are common grasses found along a dry to wet gradient. In the spring, marsh marigold is very showy in the swales, followed by hoary and hairy puccoons on the sandy slopes, bird’s-foot violet and thimbleweed on the upland prairies, and blue flag iris and shooting star on the moist lowlands. Prairie larkspur, wild rose, and black-eyed Susan bloom in the summer months. In late summer, the purple flowers of rough and prairie blazing stars can be spectacular. Asters and bottle gentian are among the last flowers to bloom in the fall. Over fifty species of birds can be found here, including bobolink, yellowheaded blackbird, upland sandpiper, grasshopper sparrow, and savannah sparrow. Plains pocket gophers, masked shrews, short-tailed shrews, and western harvest mice are common in the dry sand prairie, while whitefooted mice, deer mice, and meadow voles are common in the moist swale and transitional zones of the preserve. Over fifty species of butterflies have been found at the preserve as well, including the regal fritillary, Arogos skipper, Iowa skipper, gorgone checkerspot, two-spotted skipper, black dash, dion skipper, and broad-winged skipper. In August, migrating monarch butterflies gather by the thousands before they continue their journey south. Hunting is not permitted. Other natural areas in the vicinity include Clay Prairie State Preserve, Hartman Bluff State Preserve, and George Wyth State Park.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/cedar-falls-ia/report/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in" name="description"/> <meta content="Cedar, Hills, Sand, Prairie, State, Preserve, Falls, IA" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="42.562975"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-92.554613"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>N Butler Rd</div> <div> <span>Cedar Falls</span>, <span>IA</span> <span>50613</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/preserves/preservesguide.pdf?amp;tabid=944" target="_blank">Visit Website</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 515-244-5044</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Cedar+Hills+Sand+Prairie+State+Preserve%2C+N+Butler+Rd%2C+Cedar+Falls%2C+IA+50613" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in western Black Hawk County. Formerly known as “Mark Sand Prairie,” it has been managed by the University of Northern Iowa Biological Preserves since its discovery in 1969. It was acquired by the Iowa chapter of The Nature Conservancy in 1985 from Wayne Mark. The preserve was dedicated in 1985 for its biological and geological features. Located in the Iowan Surface landform region, the preserve sits atop a broad sandy divide between the Cedar River and Beaver Creek, and is one of a series of aeolian (wind-formed) sandy ridges found along the Cedar River valley. Within the preserve, dry sand prairie occupies the upland ridges and sedge meadow occupies a large swale in the northeastern portion of the preserve. A small fen is found on seepy, peaty soil in a portion of the sedge meadow. Small marshes are found in the southwest corner of the preserve. More than 360 native species of grasses and forbs have been identified here, plus at least 107 species of diatoms. Little bluestem, porcupine grass, big bluestem, Indian grass, and prairie cordgrass are common grasses found along a dry to wet gradient. In the spring, marsh marigold is very showy in the swales, followed by hoary and hairy puccoons on the sandy slopes, bird’s-foot violet and thimbleweed on the upland prairies, and blue flag iris and shooting star on the moist lowlands. Prairie larkspur, wild rose, and black-eyed Susan bloom in the summer months. In late summer, the purple flowers of rough and prairie blazing stars can be spectacular. Asters and bottle gentian are among the last flowers to bloom in the fall. Over fifty species of birds can be found here, including bobolink, yellowheaded blackbird, upland sandpiper, grasshopper sparrow, and savannah sparrow. Plains pocket gophers, masked shrews, short-tailed shrews, and western harvest mice are common in the dry sand prairie, while whitefooted mice, deer mice, and meadow voles are common in the moist swale and transitional zones of the preserve. Over fifty species of butterflies have been found at the preserve as well, including the regal fritillary, Arogos skipper, Iowa skipper, gorgone checkerspot, two-spotted skipper, black dash, dion skipper, and broad-winged skipper. In August, migrating monarch butterflies gather by the thousands before they continue their journey south. Hunting is not permitted. Other natural areas in the vicinity include Clay Prairie State Preserve, Hartman Bluff State Preserve, and George Wyth State Park.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/cedar-falls-ia/report/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/cedar-falls-ia/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/cedar-falls-ia/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Cedar Falls</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Cedar Falls</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ia-intro-to-tech-meetup-virtual-ia-121724-49n4bx7hwxg.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-INTRO-TO-TECH-MEETUP">Intro to Tech: Meetup</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/we-need-to-talk-virtual-seminar-121724-nxnnsslv22x.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AGING-AND-DRIVING-WE-NEED-TO-TALK-VIRTUAL-SEMINAR">Aging and Driving: ‘We Need to Talk’ Virtual Seminar</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ilmornings-with-flo-zumba-virtual-121724-wfnvc9zll97.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-MORNINGS-WITH-FLO-FITNESS-A-TOTALBODY-ZUMBA-WORKOUT">Mornings with Flo Fitness: A Total-Body Zumba Workout</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Facebook</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/cedar-falls-ia/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-CEDARFALLS-IA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? 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It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in" name="description"/> <meta content="Cedar, Hills, Sand, Prairie, State, Preserve, Falls, IA" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. 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Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.root.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 54]Code Context<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBD
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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>N Butler Rd</div> <div> <span>Cedar Falls</span>, <span>IA</span> <span>50613</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/preserves/preservesguide.pdf?amp;tabid=944" target="_blank">Visit Website</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 515-244-5044</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Cedar+Hills+Sand+Prairie+State+Preserve%2C+N+Butler+Rd%2C+Cedar+Falls%2C+IA+50613" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in western Black Hawk County. Formerly known as “Mark Sand Prairie,” it has been managed by the University of Northern Iowa Biological Preserves since its discovery in 1969. It was acquired by the Iowa chapter of The Nature Conservancy in 1985 from Wayne Mark. The preserve was dedicated in 1985 for its biological and geological features. Located in the Iowan Surface landform region, the preserve sits atop a broad sandy divide between the Cedar River and Beaver Creek, and is one of a series of aeolian (wind-formed) sandy ridges found along the Cedar River valley. Within the preserve, dry sand prairie occupies the upland ridges and sedge meadow occupies a large swale in the northeastern portion of the preserve. A small fen is found on seepy, peaty soil in a portion of the sedge meadow. Small marshes are found in the southwest corner of the preserve. More than 360 native species of grasses and forbs have been identified here, plus at least 107 species of diatoms. Little bluestem, porcupine grass, big bluestem, Indian grass, and prairie cordgrass are common grasses found along a dry to wet gradient. In the spring, marsh marigold is very showy in the swales, followed by hoary and hairy puccoons on the sandy slopes, bird’s-foot violet and thimbleweed on the upland prairies, and blue flag iris and shooting star on the moist lowlands. Prairie larkspur, wild rose, and black-eyed Susan bloom in the summer months. In late summer, the purple flowers of rough and prairie blazing stars can be spectacular. Asters and bottle gentian are among the last flowers to bloom in the fall. Over fifty species of birds can be found here, including bobolink, yellowheaded blackbird, upland sandpiper, grasshopper sparrow, and savannah sparrow. Plains pocket gophers, masked shrews, short-tailed shrews, and western harvest mice are common in the dry sand prairie, while whitefooted mice, deer mice, and meadow voles are common in the moist swale and transitional zones of the preserve. Over fifty species of butterflies have been found at the preserve as well, including the regal fritillary, Arogos skipper, Iowa skipper, gorgone checkerspot, two-spotted skipper, black dash, dion skipper, and broad-winged skipper. In August, migrating monarch butterflies gather by the thousands before they continue their journey south. Hunting is not permitted. Other natural areas in the vicinity include Clay Prairie State Preserve, Hartman Bluff State Preserve, and George Wyth State Park.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/cedar-falls-ia/report/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in" name="description"/> <meta content="Cedar, Hills, Sand, Prairie, State, Preserve, Falls, IA" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="42.562975"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-92.554613"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>N Butler Rd</div> <div> <span>Cedar Falls</span>, <span>IA</span> <span>50613</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/preserves/preservesguide.pdf?amp;tabid=944" target="_blank">Visit Website</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 515-244-5044</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Cedar+Hills+Sand+Prairie+State+Preserve%2C+N+Butler+Rd%2C+Cedar+Falls%2C+IA+50613" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in western Black Hawk County. Formerly known as “Mark Sand Prairie,” it has been managed by the University of Northern Iowa Biological Preserves since its discovery in 1969. It was acquired by the Iowa chapter of The Nature Conservancy in 1985 from Wayne Mark. The preserve was dedicated in 1985 for its biological and geological features. Located in the Iowan Surface landform region, the preserve sits atop a broad sandy divide between the Cedar River and Beaver Creek, and is one of a series of aeolian (wind-formed) sandy ridges found along the Cedar River valley. Within the preserve, dry sand prairie occupies the upland ridges and sedge meadow occupies a large swale in the northeastern portion of the preserve. A small fen is found on seepy, peaty soil in a portion of the sedge meadow. Small marshes are found in the southwest corner of the preserve. More than 360 native species of grasses and forbs have been identified here, plus at least 107 species of diatoms. Little bluestem, porcupine grass, big bluestem, Indian grass, and prairie cordgrass are common grasses found along a dry to wet gradient. In the spring, marsh marigold is very showy in the swales, followed by hoary and hairy puccoons on the sandy slopes, bird’s-foot violet and thimbleweed on the upland prairies, and blue flag iris and shooting star on the moist lowlands. Prairie larkspur, wild rose, and black-eyed Susan bloom in the summer months. In late summer, the purple flowers of rough and prairie blazing stars can be spectacular. Asters and bottle gentian are among the last flowers to bloom in the fall. Over fifty species of birds can be found here, including bobolink, yellowheaded blackbird, upland sandpiper, grasshopper sparrow, and savannah sparrow. Plains pocket gophers, masked shrews, short-tailed shrews, and western harvest mice are common in the dry sand prairie, while whitefooted mice, deer mice, and meadow voles are common in the moist swale and transitional zones of the preserve. Over fifty species of butterflies have been found at the preserve as well, including the regal fritillary, Arogos skipper, Iowa skipper, gorgone checkerspot, two-spotted skipper, black dash, dion skipper, and broad-winged skipper. In August, migrating monarch butterflies gather by the thousands before they continue their journey south. Hunting is not permitted. Other natural areas in the vicinity include Clay Prairie State Preserve, Hartman Bluff State Preserve, and George Wyth State Park.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/cedar-falls-ia/report/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>N Butler Rd</div> <div> <span>Cedar Falls</span>, <span>IA</span> <span>50613</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/preserves/preservesguide.pdf?amp;tabid=944" target="_blank">Visit Website</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 515-244-5044</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Cedar+Hills+Sand+Prairie+State+Preserve%2C+N+Butler+Rd%2C+Cedar+Falls%2C+IA+50613" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in western Black Hawk County. Formerly known as “Mark Sand Prairie,” it has been managed by the University of Northern Iowa Biological Preserves since its discovery in 1969. It was acquired by the Iowa chapter of The Nature Conservancy in 1985 from Wayne Mark. The preserve was dedicated in 1985 for its biological and geological features. Located in the Iowan Surface landform region, the preserve sits atop a broad sandy divide between the Cedar River and Beaver Creek, and is one of a series of aeolian (wind-formed) sandy ridges found along the Cedar River valley. Within the preserve, dry sand prairie occupies the upland ridges and sedge meadow occupies a large swale in the northeastern portion of the preserve. A small fen is found on seepy, peaty soil in a portion of the sedge meadow. Small marshes are found in the southwest corner of the preserve. More than 360 native species of grasses and forbs have been identified here, plus at least 107 species of diatoms. Little bluestem, porcupine grass, big bluestem, Indian grass, and prairie cordgrass are common grasses found along a dry to wet gradient. In the spring, marsh marigold is very showy in the swales, followed by hoary and hairy puccoons on the sandy slopes, bird’s-foot violet and thimbleweed on the upland prairies, and blue flag iris and shooting star on the moist lowlands. Prairie larkspur, wild rose, and black-eyed Susan bloom in the summer months. In late summer, the purple flowers of rough and prairie blazing stars can be spectacular. Asters and bottle gentian are among the last flowers to bloom in the fall. Over fifty species of birds can be found here, including bobolink, yellowheaded blackbird, upland sandpiper, grasshopper sparrow, and savannah sparrow. Plains pocket gophers, masked shrews, short-tailed shrews, and western harvest mice are common in the dry sand prairie, while whitefooted mice, deer mice, and meadow voles are common in the moist swale and transitional zones of the preserve. Over fifty species of butterflies have been found at the preserve as well, including the regal fritillary, Arogos skipper, Iowa skipper, gorgone checkerspot, two-spotted skipper, black dash, dion skipper, and broad-winged skipper. In August, migrating monarch butterflies gather by the thousands before they continue their journey south. Hunting is not permitted. Other natural areas in the vicinity include Clay Prairie State Preserve, Hartman Bluff State Preserve, and George Wyth State Park.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/cedar-falls-ia/report/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/cedar-falls-ia/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/cedar-falls-ia/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Cedar Falls</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Cedar Falls</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ia-intro-to-tech-meetup-virtual-ia-121724-49n4bx7hwxg.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-INTRO-TO-TECH-MEETUP">Intro to Tech: Meetup</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/we-need-to-talk-virtual-seminar-121724-nxnnsslv22x.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AGING-AND-DRIVING-WE-NEED-TO-TALK-VIRTUAL-SEMINAR">Aging and Driving: ‘We Need to Talk’ Virtual Seminar</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ilmornings-with-flo-zumba-virtual-121724-wfnvc9zll97.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-MORNINGS-WITH-FLO-FITNESS-A-TOTALBODY-ZUMBA-WORKOUT">Mornings with Flo Fitness: A Total-Body Zumba Workout</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Facebook</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/cedar-falls-ia/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-CEDARFALLS-IA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-CEDARFALLS-IA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Iowa Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Iowa Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/aarpiowa" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/aarpiowa" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarpiowa">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Iowa</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:IAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IAAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/iowa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Iowa</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/contact-us-2/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-CEDARFALLS-IA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarpiowa" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpIA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarp_iowa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve - Cedar Falls, IA</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve - Cedar Falls, IA"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in" name="description"/> <meta content="Cedar, Hills, Sand, Prairie, State, Preserve, Falls, IA" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="42.562975"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-92.554613"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>N Butler Rd</div> <div> <span>Cedar Falls</span>, <span>IA</span> <span>50613</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/preserves/preservesguide.pdf?amp;tabid=944" target="_blank">Visit Website</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 515-244-5044</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Cedar+Hills+Sand+Prairie+State+Preserve%2C+N+Butler+Rd%2C+Cedar+Falls%2C+IA+50613" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in western Black Hawk County. Formerly known as “Mark Sand Prairie,” it has been managed by the University of Northern Iowa Biological Preserves since its discovery in 1969. It was acquired by the Iowa chapter of The Nature Conservancy in 1985 from Wayne Mark. The preserve was dedicated in 1985 for its biological and geological features. Located in the Iowan Surface landform region, the preserve sits atop a broad sandy divide between the Cedar River and Beaver Creek, and is one of a series of aeolian (wind-formed) sandy ridges found along the Cedar River valley. Within the preserve, dry sand prairie occupies the upland ridges and sedge meadow occupies a large swale in the northeastern portion of the preserve. A small fen is found on seepy, peaty soil in a portion of the sedge meadow. Small marshes are found in the southwest corner of the preserve. More than 360 native species of grasses and forbs have been identified here, plus at least 107 species of diatoms. Little bluestem, porcupine grass, big bluestem, Indian grass, and prairie cordgrass are common grasses found along a dry to wet gradient. In the spring, marsh marigold is very showy in the swales, followed by hoary and hairy puccoons on the sandy slopes, bird’s-foot violet and thimbleweed on the upland prairies, and blue flag iris and shooting star on the moist lowlands. Prairie larkspur, wild rose, and black-eyed Susan bloom in the summer months. In late summer, the purple flowers of rough and prairie blazing stars can be spectacular. Asters and bottle gentian are among the last flowers to bloom in the fall. Over fifty species of birds can be found here, including bobolink, yellowheaded blackbird, upland sandpiper, grasshopper sparrow, and savannah sparrow. Plains pocket gophers, masked shrews, short-tailed shrews, and western harvest mice are common in the dry sand prairie, while whitefooted mice, deer mice, and meadow voles are common in the moist swale and transitional zones of the preserve. Over fifty species of butterflies have been found at the preserve as well, including the regal fritillary, Arogos skipper, Iowa skipper, gorgone checkerspot, two-spotted skipper, black dash, dion skipper, and broad-winged skipper. In August, migrating monarch butterflies gather by the thousands before they continue their journey south. Hunting is not permitted. Other natural areas in the vicinity include Clay Prairie State Preserve, Hartman Bluff State Preserve, and George Wyth State Park.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/cedar-falls-ia/report/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in western Black Hawk County. Formerly known as “Mark Sand Prairie,” it has been managed by the University of Northern Iowa Biological Preserves since its discovery in 1969. It was acquired by the Iowa chapter of The Nature Conservancy in 1985 from Wayne Mark. The preserve was dedicated in 1985 for its biological and geological features. Located in the Iowan Surface landform region, the preserve sits atop a broad sandy divide between the Cedar River and Beaver Creek, and is one of a series of aeolian (wind-formed) sandy ridges found along the Cedar River valley. Within the preserve, dry sand prairie occupies the upland ridges and sedge meadow occupies a large swale in the northeastern portion of the preserve. A small fen is found on seepy, peaty soil in a portion of the sedge meadow. Small marshes are found in the southwest corner of the preserve. More than 360 native species of grasses and forbs have been identified here, plus at least 107 species of diatoms. Little bluestem, porcupine grass, big bluestem, Indian grass, and prairie cordgrass are common grasses found along a dry to wet gradient. In the spring, marsh marigold is very showy in the swales, followed by hoary and hairy puccoons on the sandy slopes, bird’s-foot violet and thimbleweed on the upland prairies, and blue flag iris and shooting star on the moist lowlands. Prairie larkspur, wild rose, and black-eyed Susan bloom in the summer months. In late summer, the purple flowers of rough and prairie blazing stars can be spectacular. Asters and bottle gentian are among the last flowers to bloom in the fall. Over fifty species of birds can be found here, including bobolink, yellowheaded blackbird, upland sandpiper, grasshopper sparrow, and savannah sparrow. Plains pocket gophers, masked shrews, short-tailed shrews, and western harvest mice are common in the dry sand prairie, while whitefooted mice, deer mice, and meadow voles are common in the moist swale and transitional zones of the preserve. Over fifty species of butterflies have been found at the preserve as well, including the regal fritillary, Arogos skipper, Iowa skipper, gorgone checkerspot, two-spotted skipper, black dash, dion skipper, and broad-winged skipper. In August, migrating monarch butterflies gather by the thousands before they continue their journey south. Hunting is not permitted. Other natural areas in the vicinity include Clay Prairie State Preserve, Hartman Bluff State Preserve, and George Wyth State Park.
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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>N Butler Rd</div> <div> <span>Cedar Falls</span>, <span>IA</span> <span>50613</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/preserves/preservesguide.pdf?amp;tabid=944" target="_blank">Visit Website</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 515-244-5044</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Cedar+Hills+Sand+Prairie+State+Preserve%2C+N+Butler+Rd%2C+Cedar+Falls%2C+IA+50613" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in western Black Hawk County. Formerly known as “Mark Sand Prairie,” it has been managed by the University of Northern Iowa Biological Preserves since its discovery in 1969. It was acquired by the Iowa chapter of The Nature Conservancy in 1985 from Wayne Mark. The preserve was dedicated in 1985 for its biological and geological features. Located in the Iowan Surface landform region, the preserve sits atop a broad sandy divide between the Cedar River and Beaver Creek, and is one of a series of aeolian (wind-formed) sandy ridges found along the Cedar River valley. Within the preserve, dry sand prairie occupies the upland ridges and sedge meadow occupies a large swale in the northeastern portion of the preserve. A small fen is found on seepy, peaty soil in a portion of the sedge meadow. Small marshes are found in the southwest corner of the preserve. More than 360 native species of grasses and forbs have been identified here, plus at least 107 species of diatoms. Little bluestem, porcupine grass, big bluestem, Indian grass, and prairie cordgrass are common grasses found along a dry to wet gradient. In the spring, marsh marigold is very showy in the swales, followed by hoary and hairy puccoons on the sandy slopes, bird’s-foot violet and thimbleweed on the upland prairies, and blue flag iris and shooting star on the moist lowlands. Prairie larkspur, wild rose, and black-eyed Susan bloom in the summer months. In late summer, the purple flowers of rough and prairie blazing stars can be spectacular. Asters and bottle gentian are among the last flowers to bloom in the fall. Over fifty species of birds can be found here, including bobolink, yellowheaded blackbird, upland sandpiper, grasshopper sparrow, and savannah sparrow. Plains pocket gophers, masked shrews, short-tailed shrews, and western harvest mice are common in the dry sand prairie, while whitefooted mice, deer mice, and meadow voles are common in the moist swale and transitional zones of the preserve. Over fifty species of butterflies have been found at the preserve as well, including the regal fritillary, Arogos skipper, Iowa skipper, gorgone checkerspot, two-spotted skipper, black dash, dion skipper, and broad-winged skipper. In August, migrating monarch butterflies gather by the thousands before they continue their journey south. Hunting is not permitted. Other natural areas in the vicinity include Clay Prairie State Preserve, Hartman Bluff State Preserve, and George Wyth State Park.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/cedar-falls-ia/report/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in" name="description"/> <meta content="Cedar, Hills, Sand, Prairie, State, Preserve, Falls, IA" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="42.562975"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-92.554613"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>N Butler Rd</div> <div> <span>Cedar Falls</span>, <span>IA</span> <span>50613</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/preserves/preservesguide.pdf?amp;tabid=944" target="_blank">Visit Website</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 515-244-5044</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Cedar+Hills+Sand+Prairie+State+Preserve%2C+N+Butler+Rd%2C+Cedar+Falls%2C+IA+50613" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in western Black Hawk County. Formerly known as “Mark Sand Prairie,” it has been managed by the University of Northern Iowa Biological Preserves since its discovery in 1969. It was acquired by the Iowa chapter of The Nature Conservancy in 1985 from Wayne Mark. The preserve was dedicated in 1985 for its biological and geological features. Located in the Iowan Surface landform region, the preserve sits atop a broad sandy divide between the Cedar River and Beaver Creek, and is one of a series of aeolian (wind-formed) sandy ridges found along the Cedar River valley. Within the preserve, dry sand prairie occupies the upland ridges and sedge meadow occupies a large swale in the northeastern portion of the preserve. A small fen is found on seepy, peaty soil in a portion of the sedge meadow. Small marshes are found in the southwest corner of the preserve. More than 360 native species of grasses and forbs have been identified here, plus at least 107 species of diatoms. Little bluestem, porcupine grass, big bluestem, Indian grass, and prairie cordgrass are common grasses found along a dry to wet gradient. In the spring, marsh marigold is very showy in the swales, followed by hoary and hairy puccoons on the sandy slopes, bird’s-foot violet and thimbleweed on the upland prairies, and blue flag iris and shooting star on the moist lowlands. Prairie larkspur, wild rose, and black-eyed Susan bloom in the summer months. In late summer, the purple flowers of rough and prairie blazing stars can be spectacular. Asters and bottle gentian are among the last flowers to bloom in the fall. Over fifty species of birds can be found here, including bobolink, yellowheaded blackbird, upland sandpiper, grasshopper sparrow, and savannah sparrow. Plains pocket gophers, masked shrews, short-tailed shrews, and western harvest mice are common in the dry sand prairie, while whitefooted mice, deer mice, and meadow voles are common in the moist swale and transitional zones of the preserve. Over fifty species of butterflies have been found at the preserve as well, including the regal fritillary, Arogos skipper, Iowa skipper, gorgone checkerspot, two-spotted skipper, black dash, dion skipper, and broad-winged skipper. In August, migrating monarch butterflies gather by the thousands before they continue their journey south. Hunting is not permitted. Other natural areas in the vicinity include Clay Prairie State Preserve, Hartman Bluff State Preserve, and George Wyth State Park.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/cedar-falls-ia/report/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242]Code Context<?php // if (!$nowrapper) (Globals::$language == 'es') ? include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer_es.html") : include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer.html"); ?>
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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>N Butler Rd</div> <div> <span>Cedar Falls</span>, <span>IA</span> <span>50613</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/preserves/preservesguide.pdf?amp;tabid=944" target="_blank">Visit Website</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 515-244-5044</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Cedar+Hills+Sand+Prairie+State+Preserve%2C+N+Butler+Rd%2C+Cedar+Falls%2C+IA+50613" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in western Black Hawk County. Formerly known as “Mark Sand Prairie,” it has been managed by the University of Northern Iowa Biological Preserves since its discovery in 1969. It was acquired by the Iowa chapter of The Nature Conservancy in 1985 from Wayne Mark. The preserve was dedicated in 1985 for its biological and geological features. Located in the Iowan Surface landform region, the preserve sits atop a broad sandy divide between the Cedar River and Beaver Creek, and is one of a series of aeolian (wind-formed) sandy ridges found along the Cedar River valley. Within the preserve, dry sand prairie occupies the upland ridges and sedge meadow occupies a large swale in the northeastern portion of the preserve. A small fen is found on seepy, peaty soil in a portion of the sedge meadow. Small marshes are found in the southwest corner of the preserve. More than 360 native species of grasses and forbs have been identified here, plus at least 107 species of diatoms. Little bluestem, porcupine grass, big bluestem, Indian grass, and prairie cordgrass are common grasses found along a dry to wet gradient. In the spring, marsh marigold is very showy in the swales, followed by hoary and hairy puccoons on the sandy slopes, bird’s-foot violet and thimbleweed on the upland prairies, and blue flag iris and shooting star on the moist lowlands. Prairie larkspur, wild rose, and black-eyed Susan bloom in the summer months. In late summer, the purple flowers of rough and prairie blazing stars can be spectacular. Asters and bottle gentian are among the last flowers to bloom in the fall. Over fifty species of birds can be found here, including bobolink, yellowheaded blackbird, upland sandpiper, grasshopper sparrow, and savannah sparrow. Plains pocket gophers, masked shrews, short-tailed shrews, and western harvest mice are common in the dry sand prairie, while whitefooted mice, deer mice, and meadow voles are common in the moist swale and transitional zones of the preserve. Over fifty species of butterflies have been found at the preserve as well, including the regal fritillary, Arogos skipper, Iowa skipper, gorgone checkerspot, two-spotted skipper, black dash, dion skipper, and broad-winged skipper. In August, migrating monarch butterflies gather by the thousands before they continue their journey south. Hunting is not permitted. Other natural areas in the vicinity include Clay Prairie State Preserve, Hartman Bluff State Preserve, and George Wyth State Park.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/cedar-falls-ia/report/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/cedar-falls-ia/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/cedar-falls-ia/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Cedar Falls</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Cedar Falls</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ia-intro-to-tech-meetup-virtual-ia-121724-49n4bx7hwxg.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-INTRO-TO-TECH-MEETUP">Intro to Tech: Meetup</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/we-need-to-talk-virtual-seminar-121724-nxnnsslv22x.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AGING-AND-DRIVING-WE-NEED-TO-TALK-VIRTUAL-SEMINAR">Aging and Driving: ‘We Need to Talk’ Virtual Seminar</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ilmornings-with-flo-zumba-virtual-121724-wfnvc9zll97.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-MORNINGS-WITH-FLO-FITNESS-A-TOTALBODY-ZUMBA-WORKOUT">Mornings with Flo Fitness: A Total-Body Zumba Workout</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Facebook</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/cedar-falls-ia/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-CEDARFALLS-IA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-CEDARFALLS-IA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Iowa Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Iowa Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/aarpiowa" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/aarpiowa" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarpiowa">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Iowa</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:IAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IAAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/iowa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Iowa</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/contact-us-2/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-CEDARFALLS-IA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarpiowa" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpIA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarp_iowa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve - Cedar Falls, IA</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve - Cedar Falls, IA"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in" name="description"/> <meta content="Cedar, Hills, Sand, Prairie, State, Preserve, Falls, IA" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="42.562975"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-92.554613"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>N Butler Rd</div> <div> <span>Cedar Falls</span>, <span>IA</span> <span>50613</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/preserves/preservesguide.pdf?amp;tabid=944" target="_blank">Visit Website</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 515-244-5044</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Cedar+Hills+Sand+Prairie+State+Preserve%2C+N+Butler+Rd%2C+Cedar+Falls%2C+IA+50613" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in western Black Hawk County. Formerly known as “Mark Sand Prairie,” it has been managed by the University of Northern Iowa Biological Preserves since its discovery in 1969. It was acquired by the Iowa chapter of The Nature Conservancy in 1985 from Wayne Mark. The preserve was dedicated in 1985 for its biological and geological features. Located in the Iowan Surface landform region, the preserve sits atop a broad sandy divide between the Cedar River and Beaver Creek, and is one of a series of aeolian (wind-formed) sandy ridges found along the Cedar River valley. Within the preserve, dry sand prairie occupies the upland ridges and sedge meadow occupies a large swale in the northeastern portion of the preserve. A small fen is found on seepy, peaty soil in a portion of the sedge meadow. Small marshes are found in the southwest corner of the preserve. More than 360 native species of grasses and forbs have been identified here, plus at least 107 species of diatoms. Little bluestem, porcupine grass, big bluestem, Indian grass, and prairie cordgrass are common grasses found along a dry to wet gradient. In the spring, marsh marigold is very showy in the swales, followed by hoary and hairy puccoons on the sandy slopes, bird’s-foot violet and thimbleweed on the upland prairies, and blue flag iris and shooting star on the moist lowlands. Prairie larkspur, wild rose, and black-eyed Susan bloom in the summer months. In late summer, the purple flowers of rough and prairie blazing stars can be spectacular. Asters and bottle gentian are among the last flowers to bloom in the fall. Over fifty species of birds can be found here, including bobolink, yellowheaded blackbird, upland sandpiper, grasshopper sparrow, and savannah sparrow. Plains pocket gophers, masked shrews, short-tailed shrews, and western harvest mice are common in the dry sand prairie, while whitefooted mice, deer mice, and meadow voles are common in the moist swale and transitional zones of the preserve. Over fifty species of butterflies have been found at the preserve as well, including the regal fritillary, Arogos skipper, Iowa skipper, gorgone checkerspot, two-spotted skipper, black dash, dion skipper, and broad-winged skipper. In August, migrating monarch butterflies gather by the thousands before they continue their journey south. Hunting is not permitted. Other natural areas in the vicinity include Clay Prairie State Preserve, Hartman Bluff State Preserve, and George Wyth State Park.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/cedar-falls-ia/report/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]Code Context<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBD
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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>N Butler Rd</div> <div> <span>Cedar Falls</span>, <span>IA</span> <span>50613</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/preserves/preservesguide.pdf?amp;tabid=944" target="_blank">Visit Website</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 515-244-5044</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Cedar+Hills+Sand+Prairie+State+Preserve%2C+N+Butler+Rd%2C+Cedar+Falls%2C+IA+50613" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in western Black Hawk County. Formerly known as “Mark Sand Prairie,” it has been managed by the University of Northern Iowa Biological Preserves since its discovery in 1969. It was acquired by the Iowa chapter of The Nature Conservancy in 1985 from Wayne Mark. The preserve was dedicated in 1985 for its biological and geological features. Located in the Iowan Surface landform region, the preserve sits atop a broad sandy divide between the Cedar River and Beaver Creek, and is one of a series of aeolian (wind-formed) sandy ridges found along the Cedar River valley. Within the preserve, dry sand prairie occupies the upland ridges and sedge meadow occupies a large swale in the northeastern portion of the preserve. A small fen is found on seepy, peaty soil in a portion of the sedge meadow. Small marshes are found in the southwest corner of the preserve. More than 360 native species of grasses and forbs have been identified here, plus at least 107 species of diatoms. Little bluestem, porcupine grass, big bluestem, Indian grass, and prairie cordgrass are common grasses found along a dry to wet gradient. In the spring, marsh marigold is very showy in the swales, followed by hoary and hairy puccoons on the sandy slopes, bird’s-foot violet and thimbleweed on the upland prairies, and blue flag iris and shooting star on the moist lowlands. Prairie larkspur, wild rose, and black-eyed Susan bloom in the summer months. In late summer, the purple flowers of rough and prairie blazing stars can be spectacular. Asters and bottle gentian are among the last flowers to bloom in the fall. Over fifty species of birds can be found here, including bobolink, yellowheaded blackbird, upland sandpiper, grasshopper sparrow, and savannah sparrow. Plains pocket gophers, masked shrews, short-tailed shrews, and western harvest mice are common in the dry sand prairie, while whitefooted mice, deer mice, and meadow voles are common in the moist swale and transitional zones of the preserve. Over fifty species of butterflies have been found at the preserve as well, including the regal fritillary, Arogos skipper, Iowa skipper, gorgone checkerspot, two-spotted skipper, black dash, dion skipper, and broad-winged skipper. In August, migrating monarch butterflies gather by the thousands before they continue their journey south. Hunting is not permitted. Other natural areas in the vicinity include Clay Prairie State Preserve, Hartman Bluff State Preserve, and George Wyth State Park.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/cedar-falls-ia/report/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in" name="description"/> <meta content="Cedar, Hills, Sand, Prairie, State, Preserve, Falls, IA" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="42.562975"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-92.554613"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>N Butler Rd</div> <div> <span>Cedar Falls</span>, <span>IA</span> <span>50613</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/preserves/preservesguide.pdf?amp;tabid=944" target="_blank">Visit Website</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 515-244-5044</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Cedar+Hills+Sand+Prairie+State+Preserve%2C+N+Butler+Rd%2C+Cedar+Falls%2C+IA+50613" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in western Black Hawk County. Formerly known as “Mark Sand Prairie,” it has been managed by the University of Northern Iowa Biological Preserves since its discovery in 1969. It was acquired by the Iowa chapter of The Nature Conservancy in 1985 from Wayne Mark. The preserve was dedicated in 1985 for its biological and geological features. Located in the Iowan Surface landform region, the preserve sits atop a broad sandy divide between the Cedar River and Beaver Creek, and is one of a series of aeolian (wind-formed) sandy ridges found along the Cedar River valley. Within the preserve, dry sand prairie occupies the upland ridges and sedge meadow occupies a large swale in the northeastern portion of the preserve. A small fen is found on seepy, peaty soil in a portion of the sedge meadow. Small marshes are found in the southwest corner of the preserve. More than 360 native species of grasses and forbs have been identified here, plus at least 107 species of diatoms. Little bluestem, porcupine grass, big bluestem, Indian grass, and prairie cordgrass are common grasses found along a dry to wet gradient. In the spring, marsh marigold is very showy in the swales, followed by hoary and hairy puccoons on the sandy slopes, bird’s-foot violet and thimbleweed on the upland prairies, and blue flag iris and shooting star on the moist lowlands. Prairie larkspur, wild rose, and black-eyed Susan bloom in the summer months. In late summer, the purple flowers of rough and prairie blazing stars can be spectacular. Asters and bottle gentian are among the last flowers to bloom in the fall. Over fifty species of birds can be found here, including bobolink, yellowheaded blackbird, upland sandpiper, grasshopper sparrow, and savannah sparrow. Plains pocket gophers, masked shrews, short-tailed shrews, and western harvest mice are common in the dry sand prairie, while whitefooted mice, deer mice, and meadow voles are common in the moist swale and transitional zones of the preserve. Over fifty species of butterflies have been found at the preserve as well, including the regal fritillary, Arogos skipper, Iowa skipper, gorgone checkerspot, two-spotted skipper, black dash, dion skipper, and broad-winged skipper. In August, migrating monarch butterflies gather by the thousands before they continue their journey south. Hunting is not permitted. Other natural areas in the vicinity include Clay Prairie State Preserve, Hartman Bluff State Preserve, and George Wyth State Park.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/cedar-falls-ia/report/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="42.562975"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-92.554613"/> ' $title_for_layout = 'Place Detail - AARP' $asset_version = '230831' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = '' $highlighting = '' $location = '<a href="/cedar-falls-ia/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Cedar Falls, IA</a>' $no_header = false $header_title = '<a href="/cedar-falls-ia/things-to-do/">Places</a>' $header_subtitle = '' $isPR = false $navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse"> <div class="container"> <div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div> <ul class="secondary-menu container" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true"> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/cedar-falls-ia/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/cedar-falls-ia/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/cedar-falls-ia/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/cedar-falls-ia/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/cedar-falls-ia/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/cedar-falls-ia/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more"> <span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span> <ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu"> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/cedar-falls-ia/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/cedar-falls-ia/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/cedar-falls-ia/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/cedar-falls-ia/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li> <!-- <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/cedar-falls-ia/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/cedar-falls-ia/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/cedar-falls-ia/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li> --> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </nav>' $header_custom = '' $breadcrumbs = array( (int) 0 => array( 'title' => 'Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) ) $row = array( 'title' => 'Back to Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) $i = (int) 0include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 PlacesController::display() - APP/Controller/PlacesController.php, line 501 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? 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Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]Code Context<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBD
include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");
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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>N Butler Rd</div> <div> <span>Cedar Falls</span>, <span>IA</span> <span>50613</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/preserves/preservesguide.pdf?amp;tabid=944" target="_blank">Visit Website</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 515-244-5044</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Cedar+Hills+Sand+Prairie+State+Preserve%2C+N+Butler+Rd%2C+Cedar+Falls%2C+IA+50613" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in western Black Hawk County. Formerly known as “Mark Sand Prairie,” it has been managed by the University of Northern Iowa Biological Preserves since its discovery in 1969. It was acquired by the Iowa chapter of The Nature Conservancy in 1985 from Wayne Mark. The preserve was dedicated in 1985 for its biological and geological features. Located in the Iowan Surface landform region, the preserve sits atop a broad sandy divide between the Cedar River and Beaver Creek, and is one of a series of aeolian (wind-formed) sandy ridges found along the Cedar River valley. Within the preserve, dry sand prairie occupies the upland ridges and sedge meadow occupies a large swale in the northeastern portion of the preserve. A small fen is found on seepy, peaty soil in a portion of the sedge meadow. Small marshes are found in the southwest corner of the preserve. More than 360 native species of grasses and forbs have been identified here, plus at least 107 species of diatoms. Little bluestem, porcupine grass, big bluestem, Indian grass, and prairie cordgrass are common grasses found along a dry to wet gradient. In the spring, marsh marigold is very showy in the swales, followed by hoary and hairy puccoons on the sandy slopes, bird’s-foot violet and thimbleweed on the upland prairies, and blue flag iris and shooting star on the moist lowlands. Prairie larkspur, wild rose, and black-eyed Susan bloom in the summer months. In late summer, the purple flowers of rough and prairie blazing stars can be spectacular. Asters and bottle gentian are among the last flowers to bloom in the fall. Over fifty species of birds can be found here, including bobolink, yellowheaded blackbird, upland sandpiper, grasshopper sparrow, and savannah sparrow. Plains pocket gophers, masked shrews, short-tailed shrews, and western harvest mice are common in the dry sand prairie, while whitefooted mice, deer mice, and meadow voles are common in the moist swale and transitional zones of the preserve. Over fifty species of butterflies have been found at the preserve as well, including the regal fritillary, Arogos skipper, Iowa skipper, gorgone checkerspot, two-spotted skipper, black dash, dion skipper, and broad-winged skipper. In August, migrating monarch butterflies gather by the thousands before they continue their journey south. Hunting is not permitted. Other natural areas in the vicinity include Clay Prairie State Preserve, Hartman Bluff State Preserve, and George Wyth State Park.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/cedar-falls-ia/report/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/cedar-falls-ia/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/cedar-falls-ia/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Cedar Falls</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Cedar Falls</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ia-intro-to-tech-meetup-virtual-ia-121724-49n4bx7hwxg.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-INTRO-TO-TECH-MEETUP">Intro to Tech: Meetup</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/we-need-to-talk-virtual-seminar-121724-nxnnsslv22x.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AGING-AND-DRIVING-WE-NEED-TO-TALK-VIRTUAL-SEMINAR">Aging and Driving: ‘We Need to Talk’ Virtual Seminar</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ilmornings-with-flo-zumba-virtual-121724-wfnvc9zll97.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-MORNINGS-WITH-FLO-FITNESS-A-TOTALBODY-ZUMBA-WORKOUT">Mornings with Flo Fitness: A Total-Body Zumba Workout</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Facebook</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/cedar-falls-ia/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-CEDARFALLS-IA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? 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It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in" name="description"/> <meta content="Cedar, Hills, Sand, Prairie, State, Preserve, Falls, IA" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="42.562975"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-92.554613"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>N Butler Rd</div> <div> <span>Cedar Falls</span>, <span>IA</span> <span>50613</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/preserves/preservesguide.pdf?amp;tabid=944" target="_blank">Visit Website</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 515-244-5044</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Cedar+Hills+Sand+Prairie+State+Preserve%2C+N+Butler+Rd%2C+Cedar+Falls%2C+IA+50613" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in western Black Hawk County. Formerly known as “Mark Sand Prairie,” it has been managed by the University of Northern Iowa Biological Preserves since its discovery in 1969. It was acquired by the Iowa chapter of The Nature Conservancy in 1985 from Wayne Mark. The preserve was dedicated in 1985 for its biological and geological features. Located in the Iowan Surface landform region, the preserve sits atop a broad sandy divide between the Cedar River and Beaver Creek, and is one of a series of aeolian (wind-formed) sandy ridges found along the Cedar River valley. Within the preserve, dry sand prairie occupies the upland ridges and sedge meadow occupies a large swale in the northeastern portion of the preserve. A small fen is found on seepy, peaty soil in a portion of the sedge meadow. Small marshes are found in the southwest corner of the preserve. More than 360 native species of grasses and forbs have been identified here, plus at least 107 species of diatoms. Little bluestem, porcupine grass, big bluestem, Indian grass, and prairie cordgrass are common grasses found along a dry to wet gradient. In the spring, marsh marigold is very showy in the swales, followed by hoary and hairy puccoons on the sandy slopes, bird’s-foot violet and thimbleweed on the upland prairies, and blue flag iris and shooting star on the moist lowlands. Prairie larkspur, wild rose, and black-eyed Susan bloom in the summer months. In late summer, the purple flowers of rough and prairie blazing stars can be spectacular. Asters and bottle gentian are among the last flowers to bloom in the fall. Over fifty species of birds can be found here, including bobolink, yellowheaded blackbird, upland sandpiper, grasshopper sparrow, and savannah sparrow. Plains pocket gophers, masked shrews, short-tailed shrews, and western harvest mice are common in the dry sand prairie, while whitefooted mice, deer mice, and meadow voles are common in the moist swale and transitional zones of the preserve. Over fifty species of butterflies have been found at the preserve as well, including the regal fritillary, Arogos skipper, Iowa skipper, gorgone checkerspot, two-spotted skipper, black dash, dion skipper, and broad-winged skipper. In August, migrating monarch butterflies gather by the thousands before they continue their journey south. Hunting is not permitted. Other natural areas in the vicinity include Clay Prairie State Preserve, Hartman Bluff State Preserve, and George Wyth State Park.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/cedar-falls-ia/report/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>N Butler Rd</div> <div> <span>Cedar Falls</span>, <span>IA</span> <span>50613</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/preserves/preservesguide.pdf?amp;tabid=944" target="_blank">Visit Website</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 515-244-5044</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Cedar+Hills+Sand+Prairie+State+Preserve%2C+N+Butler+Rd%2C+Cedar+Falls%2C+IA+50613" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in western Black Hawk County. Formerly known as “Mark Sand Prairie,” it has been managed by the University of Northern Iowa Biological Preserves since its discovery in 1969. It was acquired by the Iowa chapter of The Nature Conservancy in 1985 from Wayne Mark. The preserve was dedicated in 1985 for its biological and geological features. Located in the Iowan Surface landform region, the preserve sits atop a broad sandy divide between the Cedar River and Beaver Creek, and is one of a series of aeolian (wind-formed) sandy ridges found along the Cedar River valley. Within the preserve, dry sand prairie occupies the upland ridges and sedge meadow occupies a large swale in the northeastern portion of the preserve. A small fen is found on seepy, peaty soil in a portion of the sedge meadow. Small marshes are found in the southwest corner of the preserve. More than 360 native species of grasses and forbs have been identified here, plus at least 107 species of diatoms. Little bluestem, porcupine grass, big bluestem, Indian grass, and prairie cordgrass are common grasses found along a dry to wet gradient. In the spring, marsh marigold is very showy in the swales, followed by hoary and hairy puccoons on the sandy slopes, bird’s-foot violet and thimbleweed on the upland prairies, and blue flag iris and shooting star on the moist lowlands. Prairie larkspur, wild rose, and black-eyed Susan bloom in the summer months. In late summer, the purple flowers of rough and prairie blazing stars can be spectacular. Asters and bottle gentian are among the last flowers to bloom in the fall. Over fifty species of birds can be found here, including bobolink, yellowheaded blackbird, upland sandpiper, grasshopper sparrow, and savannah sparrow. Plains pocket gophers, masked shrews, short-tailed shrews, and western harvest mice are common in the dry sand prairie, while whitefooted mice, deer mice, and meadow voles are common in the moist swale and transitional zones of the preserve. Over fifty species of butterflies have been found at the preserve as well, including the regal fritillary, Arogos skipper, Iowa skipper, gorgone checkerspot, two-spotted skipper, black dash, dion skipper, and broad-winged skipper. In August, migrating monarch butterflies gather by the thousands before they continue their journey south. Hunting is not permitted. Other natural areas in the vicinity include Clay Prairie State Preserve, Hartman Bluff State Preserve, and George Wyth State Park.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/cedar-falls-ia/report/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in" name="description"/> <meta content="Cedar, Hills, Sand, Prairie, State, Preserve, Falls, IA" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="42.562975"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-92.554613"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>N Butler Rd</div> <div> <span>Cedar Falls</span>, <span>IA</span> <span>50613</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/preserves/preservesguide.pdf?amp;tabid=944" target="_blank">Visit Website</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 515-244-5044</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Cedar+Hills+Sand+Prairie+State+Preserve%2C+N+Butler+Rd%2C+Cedar+Falls%2C+IA+50613" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in western Black Hawk County. Formerly known as “Mark Sand Prairie,” it has been managed by the University of Northern Iowa Biological Preserves since its discovery in 1969. It was acquired by the Iowa chapter of The Nature Conservancy in 1985 from Wayne Mark. The preserve was dedicated in 1985 for its biological and geological features. Located in the Iowan Surface landform region, the preserve sits atop a broad sandy divide between the Cedar River and Beaver Creek, and is one of a series of aeolian (wind-formed) sandy ridges found along the Cedar River valley. Within the preserve, dry sand prairie occupies the upland ridges and sedge meadow occupies a large swale in the northeastern portion of the preserve. A small fen is found on seepy, peaty soil in a portion of the sedge meadow. Small marshes are found in the southwest corner of the preserve. More than 360 native species of grasses and forbs have been identified here, plus at least 107 species of diatoms. Little bluestem, porcupine grass, big bluestem, Indian grass, and prairie cordgrass are common grasses found along a dry to wet gradient. In the spring, marsh marigold is very showy in the swales, followed by hoary and hairy puccoons on the sandy slopes, bird’s-foot violet and thimbleweed on the upland prairies, and blue flag iris and shooting star on the moist lowlands. Prairie larkspur, wild rose, and black-eyed Susan bloom in the summer months. In late summer, the purple flowers of rough and prairie blazing stars can be spectacular. Asters and bottle gentian are among the last flowers to bloom in the fall. Over fifty species of birds can be found here, including bobolink, yellowheaded blackbird, upland sandpiper, grasshopper sparrow, and savannah sparrow. Plains pocket gophers, masked shrews, short-tailed shrews, and western harvest mice are common in the dry sand prairie, while whitefooted mice, deer mice, and meadow voles are common in the moist swale and transitional zones of the preserve. Over fifty species of butterflies have been found at the preserve as well, including the regal fritillary, Arogos skipper, Iowa skipper, gorgone checkerspot, two-spotted skipper, black dash, dion skipper, and broad-winged skipper. In August, migrating monarch butterflies gather by the thousands before they continue their journey south. Hunting is not permitted. Other natural areas in the vicinity include Clay Prairie State Preserve, Hartman Bluff State Preserve, and George Wyth State Park.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/cedar-falls-ia/report/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>N Butler Rd</div> <div> <span>Cedar Falls</span>, <span>IA</span> <span>50613</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/preserves/preservesguide.pdf?amp;tabid=944" target="_blank">Visit Website</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 515-244-5044</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Cedar+Hills+Sand+Prairie+State+Preserve%2C+N+Butler+Rd%2C+Cedar+Falls%2C+IA+50613" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in western Black Hawk County. Formerly known as “Mark Sand Prairie,” it has been managed by the University of Northern Iowa Biological Preserves since its discovery in 1969. It was acquired by the Iowa chapter of The Nature Conservancy in 1985 from Wayne Mark. The preserve was dedicated in 1985 for its biological and geological features. Located in the Iowan Surface landform region, the preserve sits atop a broad sandy divide between the Cedar River and Beaver Creek, and is one of a series of aeolian (wind-formed) sandy ridges found along the Cedar River valley. Within the preserve, dry sand prairie occupies the upland ridges and sedge meadow occupies a large swale in the northeastern portion of the preserve. A small fen is found on seepy, peaty soil in a portion of the sedge meadow. Small marshes are found in the southwest corner of the preserve. More than 360 native species of grasses and forbs have been identified here, plus at least 107 species of diatoms. Little bluestem, porcupine grass, big bluestem, Indian grass, and prairie cordgrass are common grasses found along a dry to wet gradient. In the spring, marsh marigold is very showy in the swales, followed by hoary and hairy puccoons on the sandy slopes, bird’s-foot violet and thimbleweed on the upland prairies, and blue flag iris and shooting star on the moist lowlands. Prairie larkspur, wild rose, and black-eyed Susan bloom in the summer months. In late summer, the purple flowers of rough and prairie blazing stars can be spectacular. Asters and bottle gentian are among the last flowers to bloom in the fall. Over fifty species of birds can be found here, including bobolink, yellowheaded blackbird, upland sandpiper, grasshopper sparrow, and savannah sparrow. Plains pocket gophers, masked shrews, short-tailed shrews, and western harvest mice are common in the dry sand prairie, while whitefooted mice, deer mice, and meadow voles are common in the moist swale and transitional zones of the preserve. Over fifty species of butterflies have been found at the preserve as well, including the regal fritillary, Arogos skipper, Iowa skipper, gorgone checkerspot, two-spotted skipper, black dash, dion skipper, and broad-winged skipper. In August, migrating monarch butterflies gather by the thousands before they continue their journey south. Hunting is not permitted. Other natural areas in the vicinity include Clay Prairie State Preserve, Hartman Bluff State Preserve, and George Wyth State Park.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/cedar-falls-ia/report/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in" name="description"/> <meta content="Cedar, Hills, Sand, Prairie, State, Preserve, Falls, IA" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="42.562975"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-92.554613"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Cedar Hills Sand Prairie State Preserve</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>N Butler Rd</div> <div> <span>Cedar Falls</span>, <span>IA</span> <span>50613</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/preserves/preservesguide.pdf?amp;tabid=944" target="_blank">Visit Website</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 515-244-5044</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Cedar+Hills+Sand+Prairie+State+Preserve%2C+N+Butler+Rd%2C+Cedar+Falls%2C+IA+50613" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Cedar Hills Sand Prairie is a 36-acre preserve containing a sand prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen. It is located ten miles northwest of Cedar Falls in western Black Hawk County. Formerly known as “Mark Sand Prairie,” it has been managed by the University of Northern Iowa Biological Preserves since its discovery in 1969. It was acquired by the Iowa chapter of The Nature Conservancy in 1985 from Wayne Mark. The preserve was dedicated in 1985 for its biological and geological features. Located in the Iowan Surface landform region, the preserve sits atop a broad sandy divide between the Cedar River and Beaver Creek, and is one of a series of aeolian (wind-formed) sandy ridges found along the Cedar River valley. Within the preserve, dry sand prairie occupies the upland ridges and sedge meadow occupies a large swale in the northeastern portion of the preserve. A small fen is found on seepy, peaty soil in a portion of the sedge meadow. Small marshes are found in the southwest corner of the preserve. More than 360 native species of grasses and forbs have been identified here, plus at least 107 species of diatoms. Little bluestem, porcupine grass, big bluestem, Indian grass, and prairie cordgrass are common grasses found along a dry to wet gradient. In the spring, marsh marigold is very showy in the swales, followed by hoary and hairy puccoons on the sandy slopes, bird’s-foot violet and thimbleweed on the upland prairies, and blue flag iris and shooting star on the moist lowlands. Prairie larkspur, wild rose, and black-eyed Susan bloom in the summer months. In late summer, the purple flowers of rough and prairie blazing stars can be spectacular. Asters and bottle gentian are among the last flowers to bloom in the fall. Over fifty species of birds can be found here, including bobolink, yellowheaded blackbird, upland sandpiper, grasshopper sparrow, and savannah sparrow. Plains pocket gophers, masked shrews, short-tailed shrews, and western harvest mice are common in the dry sand prairie, while whitefooted mice, deer mice, and meadow voles are common in the moist swale and transitional zones of the preserve. Over fifty species of butterflies have been found at the preserve as well, including the regal fritillary, Arogos skipper, Iowa skipper, gorgone checkerspot, two-spotted skipper, black dash, dion skipper, and broad-winged skipper. In August, migrating monarch butterflies gather by the thousands before they continue their journey south. Hunting is not permitted. Other natural areas in the vicinity include Clay Prairie State Preserve, Hartman Bluff State Preserve, and George Wyth State Park.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/cedar-falls-ia/report/place/cedar-hills-sand-prairie-state-preserve-cedar-falls-ia.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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