Take a trip to an Ice Age Refuge
Portions of Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois contain unusual geology. The karst region, referred to as the “Driftless Area” escaped the last glaciers leaving the Paleozoic age (500,000 year old) bedrock subject to erosion. In addition to the curious topography of steep slopes and cliffs, there are unique habitats, the algific (cold air) talus (loose rock) slopes. These slopes remain cool throughout the year and are home to rare species of plants and animals. Established in 1989, Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge is helping to recover two federally listed species: the endangered Iowa Pleistocene snail and threatened Northern monkshood. Although the Refuge was established to protect the snail and flower an entire rare community of plants and animals is preserved on these sites. States, counties, and private organizations like The Nature Conservancy also help to protect algific talus slope sites.