Behrens Ponds & Woodland State Preserve

Karl W. Behrens Memorial Ponds and Woodland is a 29-acre preserve featuring a series of sandy ponds inhabited by the blue-spotted salamander, a rare species in Iowa. It is located 6 miles northwest of Cedar Rapids and 1.5 miles northwest of Toddville in Linn County. The property was deeded to The Nature Conservancy by Karl W. Behrens in 1977 and was dedicated as a biological state preserve in 1982. 

About the Land

Located on the Iowan Surface landform region, the natural features of this preserve are tied to the glacial history of the area. As the immense Wisconsinan glacier melted some 12,000 years ago, a variety of sediments were deposited in the nearby Cedar River valley. Sand from these alluvial deposits was later blown onto adjacent uplands to form gently rolling sand dunes. Today, the sandy soil found in the preserve provides a variety of habitats, including oak woodland, thickets, prairie openings, marshes, and several natural ponds. 

Directions

1. From the intersection of I80 and I-380 near Iowa City, take I-380 north to exit 28 (to Toddville). 
2. Travel west (left) on County Home Road 1.2 miles into Toddville. 
3. Take 1st Street west (left) and continue on Toddville Road 0.3 mile to Feather Ridge Road (at a T-intersection). 
4. Go north (right) 1.3 miles to Ponds Lane. 
5. Go west (left) 0.4 mile to preserve (sign: Karl W. Behrens Memorial Ponds and Woodland).

Animals & Environment

The ponds and their surrounding woodlands provide excellent habitat for seventeen species of amphibians and reptiles, including the rare bluespotted salamander. Other species include:

• Spring peeper 
• Green frog
•  Cricket frog
• Ribbon snake
• Dekay’s snake 

Invertebrates in the ponds include freshwater sponges, bryozoans (“moss animals”), and many insects and crustaceans. Of three main ponds, the two smaller ones are one to three feet deep, and tend to dry up in the summer. The larger pond can be up to 4 feet deep. 

Plants

Wetland plants found here include:

• Mosquito fern
• Sphagnum mosses
• Prairie cordgrass
• Spikerushes
• Sedges
• Rushes
• Arrowhead
• Wood reed 

The woodland in the north half of the preserve consists mainly of white, red, and black oaks and shagbark hickory. Woodland herbs include several sedges, enchanted nightshade, Virginia creeper, and bedstraw, along with several species of moss. Over 180 species of vascular plants have been documented from this preserve. 

Coe College in nearby Cedar Rapids uses this preserve for scientific research and educational study. Hunting is not permitted. Other natural areas in the vicinity include Hanging Bog, Rock Island, and Pali­sades-Dows State Preserves and Palisades-Kepler State Park. Ownership and management of the preserve was transferred to the Linn County Conservation Board in 2022.