Purple coneflowers bloom in the tallgrass prairie.
NPS Photo
Massive prairie dock leaves precede towering yellow flowers.
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site consists of two principle vegetation types. The park mows approximately 50 acres of lawn, primarily bluegrass and fescue, with a scattered overstory of trees that are largely part of the cultural landscape.
The rest of the vegetated land cover includes prairie grasses and a stream corridor. The National Historic Site manages this natural area to exclude exotic weeds and to promote biological diversity of native plants. The natural zone provides a glimpse at the landscape as it appeared at or before Herbert Hoover's childhood here.
Tallgrass Prairie The 81-acre restored tallgrass enhances the commemorative setting of the historic site. more...
Inventory & Monitoring Natural resources inventory and monitoring at Herbert Hoover NHS more...
Prairie Restoration Volunteer Projects Volunteer to restore native tallgrass prairie on National Public Lands Day. more...
Prescribed Fire Herbert Hoover NHS uses fire as a tool to restore the tallgrass prairie. more...
Did You Know?
General Land Office surveyors who first came to Iowa commented that the territory was fit only for waterfowl. Eighty-five percent of Iowa used to be soggy tallgrass prairie.
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