Most recreation areas in Iowa are located along streams and rivers, where forest remnants remain untouched by agriculture.

Since these areas contain much diversity in plants and wildlife, they are popular for many activities. Among those included: hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, bird watching and cross country skiing.

The Story County Trails Advisory Committee and the Story County Conservation Board are sponsoring a hike from the 221 Greenbelt Trail to the Forth Try Bridge on Saturday, Sept. 28 starting at 7 p.m. to observe nature areas close to Ames.

On the Greenbelt Trail, one of the interesting things to see is the beaver activity along the Skunk River.

There are many beaver dams including one that is flooding certain parts of the greenbelt trail.

“We have been trying to modify the flow of water through the dam by adding a 12-inch pipe to help the flow,” Linda Zaletel, naturalist at the Story County Conservation Board said.

“And there is a bridge that goes over a beaver dam.”

Because of the native vegetation in the area, many colorful wildflowers line the greenbelt.

The approaching fall season adds to the spectacle of color, too.

“Right now we are in the middle of aster season,” Zaletel said, “And, the greenbelt is a good place to view fall colors.”

There are also some interesting trail management practices along the greenbelt such as the rubber road.

“We had a perennial wet area along the trail, and used tires, sand and gravel to drain the surface of the trail,” Zaletel said.

“Since the construction, many native prairie plants have naturalized in the area.”

The 221 Greenbelt Trail is part of a network of trails that link Story City with McFarland Park in Ames. The greenbelt contains a matrix of county and privately owned land that has been set aside for conservation purposes.

One of the advantages of the trail is the low traffic it supports. “It is very quiet, it is too far for many of the students to travel,” Zaletel said.

But, Zaletel added the trail is a great place for students to get away from the rigors of studying and enjoy being outdoors.

The hike will meet at the trail head on Highway 221 west of the Roland exit on Interstate 35.

For more information contact the Story County Conservation Center at 232-2516.