Local conservationist Cathy Irvine pictured on New Year’s Day (Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026) at Irvine Prairie northwest of Dysart at the start of her ‘First Day Hike’ which she kindly invited the newspaper to attend. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

IRVINE PRAIRIE – Under a pristinely blue winter sky and amid pleasantly brisk temperatures, local conservationist Cathy Irvine breathed new life into the mostly-forgotten New Year’s Day tradition of farmers checking fences and walking property lines by leading the newspaper on a ‘First Day Hike’ at Irvine Prairie northeast of Dysart on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.

“In the 1800s and 1900s, (farmers) would walk around (their property) and check fences on New Year’s Day,” Cathy explained as she secured her winter garb and readied her chocolate lab, Moose, for the excursion just after 2 p.m. Thursday at the entrance to the original 77 acres she donated toward the creation of the University of Northern Iowa’s (UNI) Irvine Prairie. “It’s a perfect day for it today.”

As Moose led the way down the north boundary parallel to 55th Street, temperatures registered 23 degrees Fahrenheit but, due to the bright sun and single-digit winds, felt like a warmer 27. The nearly two feet of snow that fell this winter between Thanksgiving and the end of December had long since melted, leaving Irvine Prairie’s trails generally firm with the exception of a few spongy spots here and there. Some snow remained in small caches throughout the prairie, kept safe by the sleeping grasses and forbs. Deep drifts were equally present along boundary edges, particularly on the north and west sides. But for the most part, the prairie was very dry to begin 2026.

It was also very quiet with only Moose breaking the silence every now and then with his repeated flushing of the prairie’s resident ring-necked pheasant population. The quietude was similarly pierced from time to time with a sound reminiscent of falling sand as the breeze gently wove its way through the dormant grasses. Both the blue sky and butterscotch prairie made for an eye-catching winter scene — a postcard view punctuated only by the dark brown stalks of past compass plant blooms, standing tall like resolute sentries.

As Cathy and her friend Carol Boyce hiked along, the conversation was wide-ranging, from the weather to the books they’ve been reading (both have enjoyed Amy Tan’s “The Backyard Bird Chronicles”) to the presence of glacial erratics to changes on the landscape.

Carol Boyce, left, and Cathy Irvine, right, hike along the western perimeter of Irvine Prairie on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, as part of their ‘First Day Hike’. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

“This perimeter wasn’t walkable a week or so ago, the drifts were so high,” Cathy commented as the trail headed south near the parcel’s western edge. Nearby, several large but shallow holes had been recently excavated and were now filled with snow. Irvine explained that staff and volunteers with UNI’s Tallgrass Prairie Center — Irvine Prairie’s caretakers — were working to build a wetland on that side to help with flooding issues that had been affecting both 55th Street to the north and the agricultural field to the south.

“They are such good scientists,” Cathy remarked. “It’s amazing the things they are finding out.”

Only a few species of birds were spotted during the hike, including an impressive number of pheasants and a single “little brown job” no one was able to positively identify before it flitted into the grass. In terms of mammals, plenty of coyote scat was observed along the trails as well as several badger holes (yes, Irvine Prairie has a badger population). But there was still plenty to see as the sleeping prairie’s dormant plants boast an abundance of different textures this time of year in their dried seed heads and stalks. Of particular note, the delicate ‘stars’ of what remained of the Queen Anne’s lace, yarrow, and golden Alexander blooms; the prickly yet squooshy centers of the many expired coneflowers; and the remains of Canada wild rye which looked like scarecrow fingers.

As the hike neared its end roughly an hour later on the opposite side of 55th Street near Irvine Prairie’s newest plantings, Cathy spotted a male Northern Harrier cruising along the prairie on a northbound flight. She had been hoping the ‘Gray Ghost’ — as the males of the raptor species are referred to by some — would make a New Year’s Day appearance. It seemed like a good omen for 2026; coupled with good weather, the first day perambulation at Irvine Prairie could not have gone better.

“It was just a perfect day,” Cathy said once more in an echo of her earlier thoughts, before she, Carol, and Moose made their way back through the trees toward the house for a cup of hot tea.

A bouquet (or group) of ring-necked pheasants skirt the Irvine Prairie northwest of Dysart on Jan. 1, 2026. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

For those interested in taking a guided walk with Cathy and/or UNI’s Tallgrass Prairie Center staff, be on the lookout for monthly hikes to restart at Irvine Prairie in the next couple of months by following the Center’s Facebook page.

“People need to see the other seasons on the prairie,” Cathy said when asked about the hikes — which debuted last summer — beginning this year in winter.

To find the Irvine Prairie which is open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset, navigate to 1174 55th Street, Dysart. Park on the south side of the road in the grass, near the stone marker.

Cheers to 2026!

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER