Conservation

Conservation. Heritage Park, Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum. , Overview , At Vesterheim Heritage Park, the landscape is a sponge for cleaning and absorbing stormwater. The park uses permeable paving, native plantings, and soil restoration to release water slowly into the ground and manage runoff and help keep our water resources , such as the nearby Upper Iowa River , clean and healthy systems for both people and animals. Vesterheim is helping to protect the "Driftless Area" through these sustainable stormwater practices. , This corner of northeast Iowa is part of the Driftless Area. As the last glaciers passed over Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, this region remained untouched, resulting in a terrain characterized by sharp ridges and deeply carved river valleys. , Supported by Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship , Soil Quality and Surfaces , Healthy soil is made up of a balanced combination of air, water, and minerals that supports plant root systems and microbes important to cleaning water and storing nutrients. In built environments, green areas often consist of soils that are not balanced. Unhealthy soil does not allow water to soak in and limits root growth. The resulting turf requires fertilizers and pesticides, which are carried off with stormwater to pollute local waterways. , Soil quality restoration is the process of improving soil health on new or existing lawns. During construction of Heritage Park, the quality of the existing soils was restored to create a healthier landscape and world of microscopic life right below your feet! , A permeable paver system , regionally-quarried limestone atop a chamber of angular stone , captures water from nearby rooftops and paved surfaces, and filters pollutants and sediments before it soaks into the ground. The slow release of water helps reduce flooding by keeping water out of the storm sewers during heavy rainfalls. Systems here at the Mill Terrace and at the Restauration Plaza by the museum's Main Building can hold over 6,200 gallons of water at any given moment. That's as much water as 20 houses use in a day! , Native Landscaping , Iowa was once covered with vast open tallgrass prairies, majestic oak savannas, and rich woodlands. These ecosystems were made up of native plants that could naturally withstand climate extremes, soil conditions, and support wildlife. The native plants that are now part of Vesterheim Heritage Park are just a fraction of what grew in the diverse prairies that once covered the region. , Benefits of using native plants:

. Deep roots create open spaces that allow rainfall to soak deep into the ground , . Established plants do not need fertilizer, pesticides, or irrigation , . A native habitat attracts birds, butterflies, pollinators, and other wildlife