Nestor Stiles Prairie State Preserve

Nestor Stiles Prairie State Preserve is a 9.5-acre area featuring a small tallgrass prairie. It is located seven miles southeast of Cherokee and thirteen miles northwest of Storm Lake in eastern Cherokee County. 

About the Land

The prairie was given to the Iowa Conservation Commission in 1981 by Marguerite S. Whiting in honor of her father, Nestor Stiles, a banker and a conservationist who protected several natural areas throughout the county. The prairie was dedicated as a biological state preserve, also in 1981. 

Directions

1. From the intersection of Highway 71 and Highway 7 east of the town of Storm Lake, take Highway 7 west (through Storm Lake) for 8 miles to Aurelia. 
2. On the west side of Aurelia, turn south (sharply left) onto County Road C43 (Hickory Street, which becomes “V” Avenue outside of town) and go 1 mile to the preserve on the west side of the road (sign: Nestor Stiles).

Plants

The level to gently rolling topography of the area is typical of the Northwest Iowa Plains landform region, which was last glaciated 20,000 to 30,000 years ago. 

The prairie, located on a knoll in the southwest corner of the preserve, contains many prairie species, including: 

• Big bluestem
• Porcupine grass
• Prairie dropseed
• Compass plant
• White false indigo
• New Jersey tea 

The lowland area along a stream is dominated by Jerusalem artichoke and willows.

Visitor Information

Other natural areas in the vicinity include Steele Prairie State Preserve, Waterman Prairie Wildlife Area, and Wanata State Park.