Herrick Memorial Trail
Immerse yourself in the sounds of the forest along our exciting Herrick Memorial trail. A picturesque walk stretches a 1/4 mile –starting in the upland woods, continuing down into the lowlands, ultimately depositing near wetlands. The trailhead can be found north of Treehouse Village approximately halfway around the Treehouse Village Trail loop. Surrounded by broadleaf trees small and large, this trail offers visitors an opportunity to walk through time.
As you advance down and across the trail look closely at the plants and other vegetation around you as it demonstrates an ecosystem teaming with life and biodiversity. This trail offers a closer look at Iowa’s wetland and the natural processes that influence the organisms on the ground.
What is a wetland and why are they important? A wetland is a low-lying area of land that is saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally. Much of the plant species you will find in the wetland play a significant role in the filtration of water, creation of shelter and habitat, as well as provide food and breeding grounds for other wildlife. For example, migratory birds use wetlands as a stopover when on their journey.
Some species you may encounter include native Iowa hardwood trees and rare spring ephemerals. Plants include: Acer saccharinum, Acer Nigrum, Celtis occidentalis, Quercus bicolor, Populus deltoides, Salix species, Platanus occidentalis, Tilia americana, Cornus alternifolia, Fraxinus species, Hydrophyllum virginianum, Ostrya virginiana, Glyceria striata, Bromus inermis, many Carex species, Elymus virginicus, Silphium perfoliatum, Asclepias incarnata, Bidens cernua, Pycnanthemum virginianum, Hepatica acutiloba and many more.
Back to Our Plants hompage
Back to Natural Resources hompage