Preserve Ryerson's Woods

By The Gazette Editorial Board

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The 49 wooded acres of Ryerson's Woods Park in Iowa City are more than beautiful, they're unique.

The park, south of the Johnson County Fairgrounds near Highway 218 and Oakcrest Hill Road, counts 10 rare or infrequent species of plant among the 200 plant species identified within its borders.

At least one University of Iowa researcher has concluded that the woods are a remnant of Iowa's landscape before American settlers arrived.

We think it's a prime candidate for designation as a state natural preserve - especially in a state that ranks near the bottom in the amount of such land that is protected from development.

As an excellent example of native habitat and home to several now-rare plant species, Ryerson's Woods fits the requirements to join preserves such as western Iowa's Turin Loess Hills or the High Prairie in Ames.

When Iowa State Preserves Advisory Board members meet today in Ames, they should approve the request to add Ryerson's Woods Park to the state's 94 state preserves - unique natural, geological, archaeological, historical or scenic areas so designated to ensure their protection for future generations.

But when terms of the designation are negotiated with Iowa City, the land owner, they should be sure public access is maintained in a way that won't degrade the site.

Ryerson's Woods is a valuable vestige of Iowa's past that should not only be preserved for the future, but accessible to present-day researchers and lovers of nature.

The park is a great resource for UI botanists and students studying ancient woodlands.

It's a favorite place for residents who enjoy the peaceful setting and beautiful wildflowers to be found among the trees.

Iowa City, which owns the land, has so far preserved the park's natural integrity - adding only a few picnic tables, a shelter and simple trail.

Designating the woods as a biological state preserve would protect the park from development - if, for example, future transportation official decide to realign nearby Highway 218.

The state preserves system was created in 1965. Today. designated preserves include native prairies and stands of trees, Iowa's only Spaghnum bog, Indian mounds, historic sites and other unique state treasures. Even so, 92 percent of Iowa's land is in farms, second only to Nebraska, and much of the remainder is also developed. That's not surprising, because one-third of the best farmland in the United States is located in our state, and the ag economy is vital.

But that doesn't mean we can't preserve or restore more of our unique natural areas. It's all a matter of balancing development with preservation where it makes the most sense. And protecting Ryerson's Woods is the right approach.

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