Butterfly and bee on goldenrod, three little girls investigate spider web in grasses, Man directs tour of prairie Butterfly and bee on goldenrod, three little girls investigate spider web in grasses, Man directs tour of prairie Butterfly and bee on goldenrod, three little girls investigate spider web in grasses, Man directs tour of prairie

Welcome to UNI's Biological Preserves

Over 60 years of preserving, restoring, and researching Iowa's natural plant and animal communities.

The University of Northern Iowa Biological Preserves System is an 88-acre complex of diverse natural and reconstructed habitats. With the adoption of Clay Prairie in the 1960’s, the Biological Preserves Program was initiated in 1970 after the appointment of a committee within the Department of Biology to develop, manage, and regulate the use of the system.  Welcoming visitors in all seasons, the system includes 5.8 miles of regularly maintained trails winding through diverse landscapes and ecosystems including; mixed grass prairie, tall grass prairie, lowland forest, and upland forest.

Check out the trails here! 
Biology

Daryl Smith Prairie 50th Anniversary

2023 marks 50 years of tallgrass prairie restoration at UNI!

Daryl Smith at Daryl Smith Prairie

 

 

This year, Daryl Smith Prairie, a tallgrass prairie preserves, celebrates 50 years since installation. This 10 acre prairie has served countless faculty, students, and the larger Cedar Falls community throughout the years. It offers great biological diversity of native species, plants and animals alike. 

Check back for information on a future celebration event! 

 

 

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Path through wooded area along Dry Run Creek, Fall colors
Path through wooded area along Dry Run Creek, Fall colors
Virtual Tour

University Avenue Preserve

The University Avenue Preserve is an 8 acre tract of native lowland forest along the Middle branch of Dry Run Creek, just north of University Avenue across from Dan Deery Toyota.

Photography by Rhianon Kesali 

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Two students research succession in Sanders Garden.
Two students research succession in Sanders Garden.
Virtual Tour

Successional Woodland at Sanders Garden 

Sanders Garden, in honor of Burton and Louise Sanders, was a Public Shrub Exhibit, established in 1985, with over 100 varieties of cultivated and native shrubs until 2003. Since then the Biology department has ceased maintenance to study and research the natural succession of the landscape.

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Prairie with tree line in the background during sunset
Prairie with tree line in the background during sunset
Virtual Tour

Tallgrass Prairie at Daryl Smith Prairie Preserve

Daryl Smith Prairie Preserve, dedicated in 2019, is a 10-acre tract of tallgrass prairie restoration along W 29th Street. Dr. Smith was a professor in the Biology department serving on the Biological Preserves Committee during its conception and establishment in the 1970's. Read more about Dr. Smith here.  

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Snowy riverbank surrounded by woodland
Snowy riverbank surrounded by woodland
Virtual Tour

Lowland Forest Preserve along Middle Branch Dry Run Creek

Dry Run Creek’s Middle Branch intersects the Biological  Preserves, flowing north to the Cedar River. This riparian woodland mitigates flood risk and erosion for the greater Cedar Falls community. 

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Group of people walking through the Upland forest
Group of people walking through the Upland forest
Virtual Tour

Upland Forest Preserve

With the highest elevation in the Preserves system, the Upland Forest Preserve hosts the University’s Observatory. This 35 acre woodland is located south-west of Jennings Drive, across from the old Hillside Courts.

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Blue sky with lush green vegetation and purple flowers
Blue sky with lush green vegetation and purple flowers
Virtual Tour

Off Campus Locations: Clay and Irvine Prairie

The University of Northern Iowa Foundation owns 100’s of acres of off-campus natural areas that include Clay Prairie, a small remnant of the original tallgrass prairie that used to dominate Iowa’s landscape. And Irvine Prairie, a tallgrass prairie restoration project facilitated by the Tallgrass Prairie Center. 

Check out more about Irvine Prairie here!