Liska-Stanek Prairie State Preserve

Liska-Stanek Prairie is a 20-acre tallgrass prairie located five miles southwest of Fort Dodge in Webster County. The prairie was part of the original land claim acquired by the pioneer Stanek family in 1858. It was willed to Mr.‑Stanek’s sister, a Liska. It was purchased by the Webster County Conservation Board in 1972 and was dedicated as a biological state preserve in 1976. 

About the Land

This gently rolling prairie features several shallow potholes. This landscape originated 14,000 years ago following the glaciation of northcentral Iowa and is typical of the terrain in the Des Moines Lobe landform region. 

Directions

1. From the intersection of Highway 169 and Highway 20 southwest of Fort Dodge, take Highway 20 west to Johnson Avenue. 
2. Turn south (left) and go 2.5 miles to 260th Street. 
3. Turn west (right) and park on the roadside (sign: Liska-Stanek Prairie).

Plants

Although this preserve is fairly small, over 130 native plant species have been found, including over twenty grasses. Big bluestem dominates the upland prairie. Other grasses include Canada wild rye, switchgrass, sideoats grama, and prairie cordgrass. In spring, you will find a blend of colors, with large populations of white Canada anemone and yellow golden alexanders. As spring turns to summer, compass plant appears along with butterfly weed, silvery scurf-pea, gray-headed cone­flower, purple prairie clover, leadplant, prairie sunflower, prairie blazing star, prairie larkspur, and wild onion. Fall continues with downy gentian, rough blazing star, goldenrods, and asters. 

Birds

Birds that have been noted from this preserve include:

• Bobolink
• Dickcissel
• Western meadowlark
• Red-winged blackbird
• Swamp sparrow
• Vesper sparrow
• Grasshopper sparrow
• Blue-winged teal

Nearby Natural Areas

Other natural areas in the vicinity include:

• Dolliver State Park 
• Woodman Hollow State Preserve