Living in Iowa, you’ve probably heard about or seen signs for the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge near Prairie City. The first thing that comes to mind for most when they encounter such references is wildflowers, bison calves, or elk bugles. But there is another key ecological piece to this diverse refuge that's also well worth noticing the next time you are in the area!
A unique, historic natural feature found in only a few places in the mid-west is the Oak Savanna. One of those few places is the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Iowa, where you can explore an Oak Savanna along the 0.6 mile Savanna Loop Trail.
What is the big deal you might ask? A savanna is grassland dotted with large sprawling trees which provide shade, cover, and food (think Serengeti National Park in Zambia, which is teeming with bird and beast).
Oak savannas used to cover large reaches of Iowa; now they are rare. Restoration work in places like Neal Smith are bringing back this ecosystem on which many native birds, animals and even plants depended.
One cool fact is that fire is often used to restore oak savannas because the trees have super thick bark which can survive grassland fires unscathed.
Take this quick trail and you may very well spot a native white tailed deer (they go crazy for acorns), and it is one of the best bird watching places on the refuge. Furry friends are welcome here, but leashes are required. The loop trail is smooth and wide, without significant elevation gain.
To find the Savanna Trailhead search for the intersection of Pacific Street and W 117 St S. When you reach this juncture go south on W 117 St. S for 300 feet and you will see the parking area on the left.
Last but not least when you visit this savanna, stop to appreciate these mighty oak sentinels whose strong branches reach as wide as the tree is tall and whose roots go far back into rich Iowan soil - maybe because they helped build it.
To learn more, visit the website for the Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge here. And of course, when you're in the area, by all means also take some time to visit with the buffalo!
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