It's only open to the public once every three years and tricks visitors into thinking they're on the other side of the country.
On Saturday, June 20th, 2015, the Big Sand Mound Nature Preserve in Muscatine, Iowa hosted a Field Day. The 510-acre area is home to undisturbed prairies, shallow ponds, and woodlands which include more than 400 different plants.
According to a press release, "It has the highest concentration of threatened and endangered species in the state."
Visitors were able to take a tour of the Big Sand Mound, led by various experts in natural resources and ecology. They say the nature preserve is very unique to our area because its ecosystem of plants and animals is typically found in the Southwest... not the Midwest.
"We try to find unique animals and plants so that people can see and have a chance to experience a different kind of environment," said Paul Mayes, Professor of Biology for Eastern Iowa Community Colleges.
The Big Sand Mound is jointly owned by MidAmerican Energy and Monsanto. Both companies partner to "study and protect the relatively undisturbed habitat," said the press release.
Sponsors of the Field Day include Louisa County Conservation Board, MidAmerican Energy, Monsanto Company, Muscatine Community College/Eastern Iowa Community College District and Muscatine County Conservation Board.