Community Profile

Pledge Summary

The city Decorah, population 7,500, is located along the Upper Iowa River in the Driftless Region of Northeast Iowa. The area is known for its beautiful scenic bluffs, numerous springs and waterfalls, and many acres of public parks and wildlife areas for trout fishing, kayaking, hiking, biking, and simple enjoyment of the natural environment. In 2001, the City, in partnership with numerous organizations and individuals, established a prairie reconstruction to facilitate stream bank protection, and water quality improvement along the Upper Iowa River. A 11.4 acre filter strip was planted with native grasses and forbs, and the following year, a ½ acre butterfly garden and additional 24.1 acre prairie was constructed to protect the floodplain. The butterfly garden and prairie serve as an oasis in town- a place to hike, cross-country ski, a location for students (elementary through college) to study, and an inspiration to local citizens to undertake similar plantings on their own property. Art in the Park, after school programs, Monarch tagging events, seed collection, Luther College Cross Country training, to name a few, are activities that the community enjoys at little to no cost!