Hartman Reserve Nature Center
| Hartman Reserve Nature Center | |
|---|---|
|
Shirey Lake in Hartman Reserve Nature Center | |
| Type | Nature center |
| Location |
657 Reserve Dr Cedar Falls, Iowa |
| Coordinates | 42°31′13″N 92°24′42″W / 42.520278°N 92.411667°WCoordinates: 42°31′13″N 92°24′42″W / 42.520278°N 92.411667°W |
| Area | 308.9 acres of wetland, prairie, and forest |
| Created | 1938 |
| Operated by | Black Hawk County Conservation Board |
| Hiking trails | Over six miles including the American Discovery Trail |
| Other information | Exhibits: Gene and Betty Buckles Program Center and Interpretive Center |
| Website |
www |
Hartman Reserve Nature Center is a 308.9-acre (1.250 km2) nature reserve located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The reserve is dedicated to teaching youth about nature through hands on experiences and preservation. It is the largest undisturbed wooded area in Black Hawk County, Iowa and is home to three distinct habitats including wetland, forest, and prairie.
History
Hartman Reserve was originally named Camp Hartman Reserve and was only 56 acres (230,000 m2) in size. Hartman Reserve was named after John C. Hartman who was a local writer for the Waterloo Daily Courier. He was also nature enthusiast, which prompted him to create the reserve.[1] The $4,000 for the reserve was raised by the Cedar Falls YMCA.
The reserve was purchased in 1938 with the intent of being a residential camping site and as site for the local members of the YMCA to use. Camp Hartman Reserve lasted until 1976 when the Black Hawk County Conservation Board purchased the other 252.9 acres (1.023 km2). Hartman was almost bought and turned into a highway. The cities of Cedar Falls and Waterloo helped and encouraged the Black Hawk County Conservation Board to purchase the land.[1] That was the official start of Hartman Reserve Nature Center. The two lakes that make up 25 acres (100,000 m2) were added in 1990.[2]
The reserve is currently being supported by the Friends of Hartman Reserve. The Friends include individuals, families, and organizations that believe preserving the environment for the next generation is vital. They donate roughly $20,000 every year to keep the center open. In 2005, Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack signed the Articles of Dedication and created the Hartman Bluff State Preserve.[2]
Fauna
Plants
The Hartman Reserve forest is a mature forest that has many different species of trees that are over 100 years old. There are over 138 different species of plants.[3] Some of the trees would include White Oak, Red Oak, Bur Oak, Hackberry, Walnut, and Sugar Maple.[4] The hackberry, walnut, and sugar maple thrive in the reserve due to the flood plain. Every spring the Cedar River floods into the reserve creating super saturated soils and marsh-like conditions. To control the growth of trees and other vegetation, Hartman Reserve practices controlled burning. They started burning selected parts of the forest in 1999.[2]
The current forest is a combination of two earlier forests; xeric and mesic. This is because the Hartman forest is located on part of a bluff and part of a flood plain.[3]
The reserve is also home to a natural prairie. The natural prairie only covers 1-acre (4,000 m2). However, prairie plants have been planted around the Interpretive Center and along the Prairie Trail. Yellow Lady Slipper and Indian Pipe are some of the uncommon flowers that can be found in the prairies and throughout the rest of the reserve.[4]
Animals
Hartman Reserve has an abundance of animals that can be found throughout the reserve. The most common include white-tailed deer, river otters, turkeys, pileated woodpeckers, red shouldered hawks, foxes, vultures, geese, wood ducks, mallards, ospreys and bald eagles.[5] These animals are native to the reserve except for the otter and osprey, which were first seen on the reserve in 1998 after habitats were created to attract them.[3]
Hunting is illegal on all reserve property without special permission. Starting in 1994, Hartman decided to allow bow hunting during a special season to help keep the deer population under control of the Iowa DNR. The hunters are carefully watched to make sure all of their licenses and tags are legal and that their game was legally killed. The hunters have to pass rigorous testing including shooting abilities. The goal is to have roughly 30 deer per square mile.[3]
Organizations
Hartman is recognized by multiple organizations for its abundance of wildlife. Two organizations that recognize the reserve as a great place for birdwatching and animal watching are Iowa Watchable Wildlife Site and Important Bird Area.[6] Hartman Reserve also partners with the national education program Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area.[7] When Hartman was bought in 1976, 46 acres (190,000 m2) of land was set aside to form the Hartman Bluff State Reserve, which is now certified by Iowa DNR Preserves Board as a natural forest and prairie.
Maple syrup
Hartman has been collecting sap from maple trees since 1985. The sap is collected starting at the end of February and throughout March. The sap is then boiled down to produce maple syrup in the Sugar Shack, which is located on the reserve. The syrup is then stored and used during Hartman's annual Maple Syrup Festival or stored and sold. The Maple Syrup Festival is a pancake breakfast that raises money for Hartman Reserve.[8]
Trails and buildings
Hartman Reserve is home to many trails including paved, unpaved, and water. There are over 6 miles (9.7 km) worth of walking trails. There is also a tractor pulled trailer that people with disabilities can use to explore the reserve.[9] The most notorious of these trails is the American Discovery Trail.[10] All of the water trails lead into the Cedar River, George Wyth Memorial State Park, and the many lakes on the reserve. The walking trails are dispersed throughout the reserve with varying levels of difficulties. During the winter, snowshoe trails are available that replace the regular walking trails. The trails can be used anyday between sunrise and sunset
The Gene and Betty Buckles Program Center is an environmentally friendly building. All of the material used to build and furnish the building is made from recycled materials. The floor of the porch is made from recycled tires. The building structure is used from recycled telephone poles and recycled paper. The carpet is made from recycled pop bottles and all of the lightbulbs are fluorescent and approved to be eco-friendly.[5] The building is used for programs that are sponsored by Hartman and are also available to rent.
The Interpretive Center is the main building. There are year round exhibits that include the history of Hartman and live animals that can be found on the Reserve. The main office is also located in the Interpretive Center where visitors can rent snowshoes during the winter or hiking gear during the spring, summer, and fall. Both buildings are open Monday - Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and Sunday 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.[4]
See also
- Hartman Reserve Nature Center trail map
References
- 1 2 History
- 1 2 3 Coy, M, Frana, M, & Grier, J. (2010). History and current status. Unpublished manuscript, Department of Natural Science, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa.
- 1 2 3 4 Coy, M, Frana, M, & Grier, J. (2010). Resource management plan for hartman reserve nature center. Unpublished manuscript, Department of Natural Science, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa.
- 1 2 3 Hartman Reserve Nature Center Black Hawk County Iowa
- 1 2 Hartman Reserve Nature Center - Black Hawk, IA
- ↑ http://iba.audubon.org/iba/profileReport.do?siteId=1496&navSite=search&pagerOffset=0&page=1
- ↑ Silos&Smokestacks National Heritage Area
- ↑ Anderson, C. (2010). Must Attend: 25th annual maple syrup festival. The Oak, 30(1), 5.
- ↑ Travel Destinations - Best Places to Travel, National and International Trip Planning from 10Best.com
- ↑ American Discovery Trail Society - the only coast-to-coast, non-motorized recreational trail for hiking, biking, riding
