The “Vincent” name reflects the family name of the last owners. This 35-acre preserve contains prairie remnants located in a valley surrounded by loess ridges. Located within the City limits of Council Bluffs, the preserve can be viewed from Interstates 29 and 80 and Highways 375 and 275. A high bluff in the preserve provides vistas of the Omaha and Council Bluffs metropolitan area.
About the Land
Vincent Bluffs preserve was originally a small subsistence farm whose main usage was grazing by cattle and horses. Fences and buildings have been removed and few signs of the original usage remain. The restored natural landscape is now of tallgrass prairie bordered by bur oak woodland.
Geology
The preserve is located on the extreme western edge of the Loess Hills landform region, which us characterized by deep deposits of windblown silt (loess) blown from the Missouri River floodplain following the retreat of Pleistocene glaciers.
Wildlife
Small Mammals
- Short-tailed Shrew
- Prairie Vole
- Meadow Vole
- White-footed Mouse
- Deer Mouse
- Western Harvest Mouse
- Prairie Shrew
- Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel
Reptiles
- Prairie Racerunner
- Eastern Racer
- Ringneck Snake
- Milk Snake
- Western Fox Snake
- Plains Garter Snake
- Common Garter Snake
Directions
- From interchange of I-80 with Madison Avenue in Council Bluffs, take Exit 8 onto northbound Madison Avenue.
- Immediately after leaving the interchange, turn left (south) onto Woodbury Avenue.
- Drive 0.75 mile on Woodbury Avenue, turn right (north) onto Thallus Street
- Drive 0.25 mile to dead end of Thallus Street, ending in parking lot for Vincent Bluff Preserve.
- A walking trail extends uphill from the parking lot.
Contact