Iowa All Over: Iowa Arboretum offers bird watching, winter walks

MADRID — Two hours west of Cedar Rapids, the Iowa Arboretum in Madrid, Boone County, is the oldest arboretum in the state, established in 1968 by the Iowa State Horticultural Society.

'In 1966, the Iowa State Horticultural Society decided they wanted to have an arboretum for all Iowans,' said Mark Schneider, executive director. 'It was (on) their hundredth anniversary that they recommended this.'

Two years later, the society discovered a 40-acre-square of soybean field in Madrid and began developing the arboretum, Schneider said.

The arboretum boasts trees, shrubs, plants and native habitats such as oak savanna.

Across the street from the main building is 375 acres of woodland that include a four-acre prairie. Visitors can hike across the street for a self-guided tour, and snowshoeing events are held during the winter.

Its location near the Des Moines River Valley makes the arboretum a natural habitat for migrating birds and eagles, Schneider said.

'We feel like we have an oasis here,' he added.

The snow covered grounds offer the opportunity to walk through a gazebo that houses a dwarf conifer and Alpine collection. A Boy Scout troop is constructing a one-room schoolhouse on the grounds that will be used as a playhouse for children.

During a recent walk through the grounds, a pair of pheasants was spotted running by in the distance.

In season, visitors hunt ephemeral flowers and look at wildlife.

Schneider noted the peace and serenity of the arboretum.

'When you're here, you hear nature,' he said. 'You're not going to hear the city noises, you're not going to hear the trains, you're not going to hear the college students. You just don't hear it here.'

Educational events are held year-round. 'All About Bluebirds' will be presented March 5 in the Hughes Educational Building. The class will be led by Karl Jungbluth, a bluebird tracker who will talk about the birds' behaviors.

Though the arboretum attracts more than 12,000 visitors annually from across the state, Schneider said it is working to promote itself both in Madrid and in neighboring communities as many who live nearby aren't aware of it.

'When I arrived here four years ago, I started hearing from different people, 'We didn't even know the arboretum existed,'' Schneider recalled.

The arboretum underwent a marketing campaign, placing ads in statewide magazines, and now intends to focus on promoting it locally and regionally.

'I don't think you can expect people to come if you don't invite them,' he said.

If you go

• What: Iowa Arboretum

• Where: 1875 Peach Ave., Madrid

• Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

• Admission: $5 per car for non-members; free for members

• Call (515) 795-3216 or go to iowaarboretum.org