Williams Prairie State Preserve
Williams Prairie State Preserve is a well known site to local prairie enthusiasts. It is a diverse wet sedge meadow and sand prairie. It contains more than 320 species of vascular plants and eight mosses and liverworts. It is also home to numerous animals, including the ornate box turtle. Historically, it served as a wet hayfield, until it was discovered by University of Iowa botanists in the 1960's. It was acquired by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in 1973 and it was dedicated as a State Preserve in 1976. Johnson County Conservation has managed the site for many years in partnership with the TNC, before the TNC deeded the property over to JCC.
Location
Grabin Road NW, Oxford, IA 52322
Williams Prairie is located north of Oxford, Iowa. From the State Highway 109 and Highway 6 intersection go north on Old Highway (F28) for about .7 mile. Bear right onto Cemetery Road NW for about .8 mile. Turn left (west) onto Grabin Road NW. Proceed another 1.1 miles to Black Hawk Avenue NW and turn right (north). The entrance to the Williams Prairie will be on your right hand side (east).
Features
The 21-acre Williams Prairie Preserve is an absolute botanical gem. The wet conditions of the site likely saved it from more intensive agricultural activity, but the site has been hayed and possibly grazed by earlier owners. John Williams, namesake of the Williams Prairie State Preserve, purchased the property in the early 1900’s for use as a hayfield.
In the 1960’s, this site was discovered by botanists from the University of Iowa and by 1973 the land was deeded to The Nature Conservancy for protection. The site was dedicated as a biological state preserve in 1976 and continues to serve as a site for research and educational activities. Johnson County Conservation has managed the site for many years in partnership with the TNC, before the TNC deeded the property over to JCC.
One especially notable flower found in Williams Prairie is Marsh Marigold (pictured above). These flowers can be found late April in expansive clusters. In addition to the numerous unique and rare plant species, the Williams Prairie Preserve is also the home for several threatened and endangered animal species, including the Ornate Box Turtle.
