U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service logo National Wildlife Refuge System Logo Celebrating a Century of Conservation
Banner graphic displaying the Fish & Wildlife Service logo, the National Wildlife Refuge System logo and the Celebrating a Century of Conservation tagline
Driftless Area
National Wildlife Refuge		 lavender northern monkshood blossom and foliage
401 Business Hwy 18 N
McGregor, IA   52157
E-mail: driftless@fws.gov
Phone Number: 563-873-3423
Visit the Refuge's Web Site:
http://midwest.fws.gov/driftless		 The refuge protects habitat for the Federally threatened northern monkshood.
Blue horizontal line
  Overview
Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge
The "driftless area" of the Upper Midwest derives its name from the fact that it was unglaciated during the most recent glacial event about 12,000 years ago. Glaciers surrounded but did not pass over this land.

Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1989 to protect the Federally endangered Iowa Pleistocene snail and threatened northern monkshood plant. Habitats that support these species are also home to other glacial-relict snail and plant species that require specific cool moist conditions to live. These species occur only on algific talus slopes or moist sandstone cliffs. In these fragile places, constant cold air exiting from a cliff or talus slope creates a unique microclimate, one that may be considerably different from areas only meters away.

The refuge is currently 775 acres, consisting of nine units in four counties in northeastern Iowa. When the proposed acquisition is completed, at least 70 percent of the known northern monkshood population and 75 percent of the known population of the Iowa Pleistocene snail will be protected. The ultimate goal is recovery and removal of both species from the Federal list of endangered and threatened species.


Getting There . . .
The refuge office is located at the McGregor District of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. The office and visitor contact station are located along Business Hwy 18 North, between the towns of Marquette and McGregor, Iowa.

Get Google map and directions to this refuge/WMD from a specified address:

Your full starting address AND town and state OR zip code


Google Maps opens in a new window

NOTE: When using this feature, you will be leaving the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service domain. We do not control the content or policies of the site you are about to visit. You should always check site policies before providing personal information or reusing content.

These driving directions are provided as a general guide only. No representation is made or warranty given as to their content, road conditions or route usability or expeditiousness. User assumes all risk of use.

horizontal line

Wildlife and Habitat
Although refuge land parcels are small, ranging from 6 acres to 208 acres, they reflect the habitat diversity of the Driftless area, with coldwater streams, springs, cliffs, prairie, hardwood forest, and deep valleys.

Learn More>>


History
The Iowa Pleistocene snail has survived since the ice age and contains much more history than the refuge. However, the Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge is now making history by preserving this animal's unique habitat for all Americans.

Learn More>>

    Recreation and Education Opportunities
Environmental Education
Fishing
Hunting
Photography
Wildlife Observation
 Learn More >>

Dark blue horizontal line

Managment Activities

Coldwater streams, cliffs, and deep valleys create diverse habitats on the refuge. These habitats are fragile and protected from disturbance on the refuge. Surrounding habitats are restored to native vegetation where appropriate.