March 28, 2024

Cyclists Pedal the Prairie despite wet, windy conditions

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PRAIRIE CITY — Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge’s second annual Pedal the Prairie happened to fall on a dreary, wet and chilly day this year. Some cyclists, however, bundled up Saturday and participated.

The 4.5 mile entrance road to the refuge was closed to car traffic during the event, and cyclists winded through the prairie landscape with views of buffalo.

As part of Pedal the Prairie, the Prairie Learning Center hosted live animals, crafts and other activities. The refuge partnered with several local agencies, the city of Prairie City and more than 20 volunteers.

Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Red Rock Army Corp. of Engineers, Jasper County Conservation, Blank Park Zoo, the Wildlife Care Clinic and more were represented in the Learning Center. Inside, visitors participated in button making, drawing and ring toss.

The Wildlife Care Clinic brought along a rehabilitating great horned owl and a red-tailed hawk. The animals were involved in car collisions, and the nonprofit care clinic is giving them a second chance at life.

Outside, the cycling part of the event suffered from low turnout due to the weather. About 80 people participated. For comparison, more than 800 people pedaled last year.

Nancy Corona, who is Visitor Services Manager at Neal Smith, said the refuge will continue to host the event annually if it can.

“It’s to encourage people to come out and enjoy biking,” Corona said. “It goes right through the reconstructed prairie, so you see the prairie during the first spring bloom. We’re just trying to encourage people to get out here and use it, come out and learn about the trails and our programs.”

Pedal the Prairie is about reaching out to different avenues of people, Corona said. Although turnout was much smaller than anticipated, the refuge was able to engage some people with its mission to spread the word that it’s fun to come out to Neal Smith.

Contact Justin Jagler at 641-792-3121 ext 6532 or jjagler@newtondailynews.com