The staff at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site is planning a prescription burn in the reconstructed tallgrass prairie. Because prescribed burns are so dependent on weather conditions, we have been keeping an eye on the weather outlook over the last few weeks. Per the National Park Service Fire Management Officer (FMO) who oversees the fire program for us, next week has been identified as the best time this fall to hold a prescribed burn.
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site to Host Night Hike
Nature doesn’t go to sleep when the sun goes down. The park remains full of activity in the darkness as the night takes over. The staff at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site want to give visitors a chance to see the park after dark.
Experience the sights, touches, sounds, and smells by joining the Herbert Hoover NHS naturalist intern for a Night Hike along the tallgrass prairie near park loop road Saturday, November 25. Meet in front of the visitor center at 110 Parkside Dr. in West Branch at 5:15pm to gather. The half-mile hike will be from 5:30-6:30 p.m. This event is free and open to all ages. This will be an evening exploration to give participants a feel for what goes on in nature during the night.
Hikers may hear coyotes howling or owls calling for their mates. You may even smell a conifer scent along the trail. The moon will be almost full and if the night is clear, it will cast pools of dappled moonglow through the trees and constellations through the sky. Folklore and other stories may be shared through the night walk. Participants should bring a small flashlight or headlamp and dress for the weather. Red lenses on flashlights are encouraged. Red cellophane will be provided with rubber bands to cover regular flashlights if needed. Programs may be canceled due to inclement weather.
If you have ever wondered about the native trees of Iowa, please join Herbert Hoover NHS staff for a guided tree walk on Saturday, October 14, at 10 a.m. The walk will begin at the Park Visitor Center and will last approximately an hour and a half. Nearly three dozen different varieties of trees are found in the park, including a wide variety of native species and some unusual trees from other parts of the country. The unique history of some of the trees will also be highlighted during the tour. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes and plan on walking a full mile.
West Branch, IA – On September 23, 2023, tens of thousands of volunteers across the country will join in trail
maintenance and planting projects, trash pick-ups, and other activities aimed at restoring and caring for our
public lands to celebrate the 30th annual National Public Lands Day (NPLD).
A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 103,804 visitors to Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in 2022 spent $6,855,000 in communities near the park. That spending supported 101 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $9,144,000.
Herbert Hoover National Historical Site will host meetings on Wednesday, May
24th at the Coralville Public Library (Iowa City) and on Thursday, May 25th at 5:30PM at the Rummells
Center (West Branch) about current and future opportunities for visitor use of the park’s tallgrass prairie(prairie).