Posted: August 15, 2025

Written by: Nova Dowdell, Winneshiek County Conservation 2025 summer intern

Those beautiful wildflowers filling the prairies, yards, and ditches of many in Northeast Iowa are so much more than just pretty flowers! They are also critical nectaring sources for hundreds of pollinator species and habitat for all kinds of wildlife. Can you name all of the most common late summer prairie blooms?

Take the quiz here: Knowing Nature – Prairie Blooms

Each Knowing Nature quiz features species found in Winneshiek County. By the end of the year, we’ll have experience identifying over 100 different types of plants, animals, and fungus!

Want to dive deeper into learning about the wildlife of Winneshiek County? Track seasonal changes and natural wonders with our YouTube playlist: “Noting Nature.”

Thank you to Luther College professor, Birgitta Meade, for compiling these “Knowing Nature” quizzes and allowing us to share them with the wider public. Most of the photos in these quizzes were taken by Winneshiek County Conservation naturalist Larry Reis.