Ames High Prairie State Preserve

The Richard W. Pohl Memorial Preserve at Ames High Prairie (popularly known more simply as “Ames High Prairie”) is a 22-acre preserve containing a small tallgrass prairie remnant. It is located on the west side of Ames High School within the city limits of Ames in Story County. The land was originally purchased by the school district in 1956 for use as a parking lot. In 1971, however, it was established as an environmental education area as the result of a popular vote in Ames. The property is presently leased by the Ames Unified School District to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. It was dedicated as a biological state preserve in 1997.

About the Land

Located in the Des Moines Lobe landform region, the preserve consists of tallgrass prairie and ravine woodland along Ioway Creek, a tributary of the Skunk River. Most of the prairie in the preserve occurs on relatively dry ridges and slopes. A small wooded stream flows through the preserve. 

Years ago, the prairie and the surrounding woodland were heavily grazed. The hilltop prairie near the entrance was once used for the storage of heavy equipment.

Directions

1. From the intersection of Highway 30 and I-35 on the east side of Ames, take I-35 north 2 miles to the 13th Street exit (exit 113). 
2. Go west (left) 2.5 miles to Grand Avenue.
3. Turn north (right) and go 0.5 mile to 20th Street. 
4. Turn west (left) and drive 1 mile into the to Ames High School. Near the end of 20th Street there will be a parking lot to the left. This parking lot is northwest of the high school. From the northwest corner of the parking lot, walk along a concrete road leading to the prairie entrance. (sign: Richard W. Pohl Memorial Preserve at Ames High Prairie).

Plants

Nearly 100 plant species have been found at this preserve. Dominant grasses include:

• Big bluestem
• Indian grass
• Sideoats grama, and
• Prairie dropseed

In the spring, white false indigo and wild indigo are stately, and a large population of prairie dandelion can be found here. 

In the summer, the pale purple coneflower and prairie larkspur displays are remarkable. 

In the fall, the asters and rough and prairie blazing stars make a beautiful showing. 

Elm, hackberry, honey locust, and black locust are the dominant trees in the woodland, with Tartarian honeysuckle and poison ivy dominating the understory. The control of encroaching trees has been a constant challenge in the maintenance of the prairie.

Birds & Species

Over 100 species of birds have been seen at the preserve, with about 45 species residing in the area at one time or another, including: 

• Brown thrasher
• American goldfinch
• Song sparrow

Migrant bird species include the:

• Least flycatcher
• Swain­son’s thrush
• Common yellowthroat, and 
• White-throated sparrow. 

The rare regal fritillary and indigo duskywing butterflies have also been observed here.

Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and the Iowa Prairie Network cosponsor prairie walks monthly starting in June and ending in September. Hunting is not permitted. Other natural areas in the vicinity include Doolittle Prairie State Preserve and Ledges State Park.