MILFORD—Bryanna Kuhlman wanted to highlight the Judd Wildlife Area during Iowa’s Prairie Heritage Week Sept. 9-15.  “I thought it would be good to highlight our Judd Wildlife Area because it has remnant, restored and currently-being-restored prairie areas,” said the Dickinson County Conservation Board’s environmental education coordinator. Kuhlman will host a Hike the Wild program at the Milford county park 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, and will discuss the importance of prairies to Iowa’s ecosystem. Less than one-tenth of 1 percent of Iowa’s native prairies remain intact. Tallgrass prairies made Iowa’s rich agricultural soil, act as a home for wildlife and birds and root systems that extend up to 15 feet below the surface. “There is a lot of benefit to deeper root systems,” Kuhlman said. “Judd Wildlife Area is along the Little Sioux River, so this helps to filter water before it goes into the river.”

Judd Wildlife Area includes remnant prairie which has never been touched for agriculture as well as restored prairie areas that were once utilized for other purposes and have been replanted to natives. “Remnant usually has a higher diversity of plants,” Kuhlman said, with remnant areas supporting up to 300 different native species of plants and restored prairies averaging 40 up to 100 species.

The hike through Judd Wildlife Area will last approximately 45 minutes and will cover about 2 miles along uneven ground and into areas without mowed trails. Hikers will get to see many native plants including coneflowers, compass plant, wild rose and native grasses, and Kuhlman will also discuss how the Des Moines Lobe of the Wisconsin glacier has affected the landscape. “I’m looking forward to bringing people out to one of our remnant prairie areas that our staff has done a good job of taking care of,” Kuhlman said. Located along the Little Sioux River, the Judd Wildlife Area is 236 acres and includes open meadows and a winding prairie stream with a softwood forest along the river’s edge. The area is home to a variety of mammals, birds and other vertebrates. Recreational opportunities include hunting, fishing and canoeing.

Please wear hiking shoes and bring water as there is no water or restrooms available.  The final Hike the Wild of the season will be held Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Fort Defiance State Park in Estherville.

For more information on Hike the Wild or other Dickinson County Conservation Board programming, visit www.dickinsoncountyconservationboard.com or call 712-336-6352. You can also keep up on the latest happenings on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.