Realty Services

Land Acquisition and Donation Program:
The Department of Natural Resources purchases land to manage and protect natural resources and to provide recreational opportunities to all the people of the state. Through the land acquisition program, wetlands, forests, scenic areas, prairies, wildlife and fish habitat, rare species habitat, and other resources are being protected and managed.

Land Management Program:
DNR land management services include handling land title issues, unauthorized land use issues, boundary agreements, and drainage district issues. Land use agreements such as leases, permits, management agreements, and the issuance of easements are negotiated by land management personnel. Other services include facilitating state title transfers to other government agencies, agricultural lease program coordination and oversight, contracting for land surveys, building disposal, and management of DNR field office leases.

Conservation Easement Program:
Conservation easements are a voluntary, legal means to protect and preserve land. There are many types of conservation easements including wetlands easements, angler and hunter access easements, trail and portage easements and forest, farm, ranchland protection easements to name a few. Conservation easements assist in protecting and improving water quality, wildlife habitat and natural resources in general. They are used to promote the personal desires of the landowner as well as preserving, protecting and improving the overall quality and character of the natural resources for future generations.

For more information about these and other Realty programs, contact our Realty staff.


DNR Appraisal Guidelines

Appraisal guidelines to assist either grant applicators and their contracted certified appraisers in performing appraisals for grant reimbursement or general certified appraisers contracted by the DNR for performing appraisals on behalf of the DNR.

Real Estate Appraisal Report Guidelines
For Grant Reimbursement Applicants and for Iowa Certified General Real Property Appraisers
(Effective: January 1, 2022)


Lease to Beginning Farmers Program

The Lease to Beginning Farmers Program provides opportunities for beginning farmers to lease agricultural land that the DNR holds and manages for Wildlife Habitat. 

Certification Forms will be made available in September with the deadline for submission to Iowa Finance Authority remaining December 1, 2024. 

For questions or further details please contact Nathan Schmitz, cell: 515-371-2062.

DNR Beginning Farmer Lease Program Instructions

2024 DNR - Beginning Farmer Certification  

Realty Staff

Travis Baker
Land and Waters Bureau Chief
515-729-4407

Nathan Schmitz
Land Management
515-371-2062

Whitney Schuhardt
Administrative Assistant
515-250-3617