Sugar Creek Nature Preserve
The Tallgrass Prairie Audubon Society is a private, nonprofit corporation affiliated with the National Audubon Society. The chapter’s approximately 150 members live in east-central Iowa, primarily in Jasper, Poweshiek, Marshall, and Tama counties. The mission of Audubon is “to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats.” To this end, the Tallgrass Prairie chapter sponsors public programs, educational activities, nature walks, bird-watching outings, and a newsletter.
Two Nature Preserves
The chapter has two nature preserves, both open to the public. Their purchase was made possible by a bequest from Raymond Foster, a member from Brooklyn, Iowa. In 1994, the chapter established the Blue Point Woods Audubon Nature Sanctuary, a 37.5-acre woodland 10 miles southeast of Grinnell adjacent to the Bluepoint Cemetery. In 1997 the chapter purchased Camp Hawikuh, a former Camp Fire Girls property 5 miles west of Grinnell just off Hwy. 6. It is 49 acres of woodland with small prairie remnants and is named Sugar Creek Audubon Nature Sanctuary after the stream that runs through it. Several trails have been laid out through the high-quality woods, and the former dormitory building has been remodeled into a nature center.
Learn More About the Tallgrass Prairie Audubon Society
Questions?
For information about the Tallgrass Prairie Audubon Society call Russ Tabbert at 641-236-7309 or Bob VanErsvelde at 641-236-6600.
