Midwest Nature Quote of the Week

Many of the Loess Hills’ special qualities lie with upland prairies. Clinging to the westernmost line of hills where porous soil, intense sunlight, and strong winds combine to create a desertlike environment, the native grasslands contain an unusual association of drought-resistant animals and plants typical of the Great Plains. Those species form midheight grasslands that are a radical departure from the lusher, denser tall-grass prairies typical of the remainder of either Iowa or Missouri. Today many Loess Hills prairie species are rare or endangered.

Cornelia F. Mutel, Fragile Giants: A Natural History of the Loess Hills