More than 3,100 acres of Iowa land in 24 counties with an estimated value of more than $7.6 million was permanently protected through donations for conservation.
The donors associated with 23 donations of land or land value will be recognized during a ceremony on March 13, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., in the 1st floor rotunda, at the State Capitol, in Des Moines.
Kimberly Anderson donated 18 acres of forested property located west of Donnellson in Lee County to the State of Iowa acting through the Department of Natural Resources. This property, bordered on three sides by public forest, will make an excellent addition to Shimek State Forest. It will increase access for hunting and other outdoor recreational opportunities.
Bob Behrend donated just over three acres adjacent to Merritt Forest State Preserve in Clayton County in memory of Francis and Ida Mae Behrend. The property, composed of 2 acres of timber, will provide access for the public to Merritt Forest State Preserve. The tract will continue to be managed as timber to compliment the old-growth forest in the State Preserve.
Mike and Lynn Bergman donated a strategic parcel of land to Linn County Conservation to allow the development of a new boat ramp access to the Wapsipinicon River. This addition to the Linn County Conservation Jay G. Sigmond Memorial Site provides public access to land along an optimal stretch of the river for anglers, boaters and paddle sport enthusiasts to enjoy.
The Dahlen Family donated 0.25 acres of river bed of the Upper Iowa River to the State of Iowa acting through the Department of Natural Resources. Adjacent to the Trout Run Access in Decorah, this parcel will provide additional shoreline for fishing opportunity and other outdoor recreational opportunities.
Daniel and Angela DeCook donated a portion of the value of an agricultural land easement to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation on 93 acres in Monroe County. The property is predominantly grassland with a small oak woodland. Its protection will benefit wildlife habitat, soil health and water quality in the North Cedar Creek watershed and preserve the site for sustainable grazing.
The DeCook family, including Dan’s parents Mark and Kay, have protected more than 3,000 acres in Lucas, Marion and Monroe counties through seven conservation easements since 2011. The family’s vision is to re-wild the landscape, protect natural, diverse and agricultural systems, and preserve open space.
Mike DeCook donated a portion of the value of an agricultural land easement to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation on 319 acres in Monroe County. Protection of the expansive grasslands, mixed woodland and small creek will help conserve soil, benefit water quality and preserve wildlife habitat for many species.
The DeCook family, including Mike’s parents Mark and Kay, have protected more than 3,000 acres in Lucas, Marion and Monroe counties through 7 conservation easements since 2011. The family’s vision is to re-wild the landscape, protect natural, diverse and agricultural systems, and preserve open space.
Ron and Barbara Eckoff donated 80 acres of remnant and restored prairie, oak savanna and woodland near St. Charles in Warren County to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. After years of restoration work by the Eckoffs, the property features notable plant species like Indian pipe, purple milkweed and Michigan lily. Eckoff Nature Preserve, owned and managed by Warren County Conservation, will offer outdoor recreation and education opportunities while benefiting pollinators, wildlife and water quality.
Peter V. Etringer & Sons donated a portion of the value of 157 acres of mixed habitat near Volga in Clayton County to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The property, bordered by Hewett Creek, features woodland, reconstructed prairie and several small springs. The Klingman Etringer Wildlife Area is owned and managed by the Iowa DNR for all to enjoy.
Beverly Evans, Greg Evans, Faith O’Malley and Ryan O’Malley donated 64 acres of restored prairie and wetlands near the Iowa River in Franklin County to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. Adjacent to Whitetail Flats WMA, the property provides crucial wildlife habitat, soil health and water quality benefits while offering opportunities for outdoor recreation.
The Gail Pascal Ewin family donated 11 acres in Pocahontas County to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The property was recently transferred to Pocahontas County Conservation to be opened as a public recreation area along with a neighboring 10-acre tract donated by John Pascal early this year. The site will provide crucial wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation opportunities.
Jim and Marcy Gray donated 72 acres of remnant prairie and savanna on a ridge above the Little Sioux River in Ida County to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The Grays have helped to restore the remnant prairie through prescribed burns and removal of invasive species. The long-term protection of the land ensures that it will continue to provide wildlife habitat, water quality and soil integrity benefits.
The Dorothy and Blaine Hoien family donated three acres near West Okoboji Lake in Dickinson County to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The high rocky knob is in an area of high development pressure. The donation will preserve the land’s native prairie, wildlife habitat, water quality and open space.
The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation conveyed seven properties totaling 1,150 acres of land to the State of Iowa at below market value prices. These land projects were located in five counties and valued around $1.6 million of donated land value.
Michael and Teresa Jackson donated a conservation easement to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation on their 110-acre farm west of Murray in Clarke County. The property consists of unplowed pasture with remnant prairie species, riparian woodland and wagon wheel tracks from the historic Mormon Trail. The easement preserves the cultural resources of the site while protecting wildlife habitat, soil health and water quality of the Sevenmile Creek – Thompson River watershed.
James and Judith Kies donated 80 acres of timber land from their family farm to Howard County Conservation. A conservation minded family with giving hearts, the Kies family has a strong desire to see more acres of public land. This area is now called the Carroll and Mary Kies Wildlife Area.
Richard Metcalf and Robert Metcalf donated 89 acres along the Boone River in Hamilton County to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. There are 1.3 miles of the popular river flowing through the Long-Metcalf Conservation Area, which includes a mixture of restored prairie and woodland habitat that benefits water quality and soil health.
Marilyn "Marty" Mihall named a 77-acre property in northeast Iowa in her parents’ honor. Gray-Hart Fen Memorial Preserve features a remnant calcareous fen (Iowa’s rarest type of wetland) and a multitude of vulnerable and imperiled plant species. A portion of the property was originally transferred from Marty to The Nature Conservancy and managed as a preserve for many years. The Nature Conservancy purchased the remainder of the property through a bargain sale, and subsequently sold both parcels to the Fayette County Conservation Board at a discount. The Nature Conservancy retained a conservation easement over the entire property to ensure its permanent protection. Gray-Hart Fen has withstood numerous attempts to drain and farm it throughout the years—nearly swallowing a tractor at one point—a perfect reflection of Marty’s resilience and spirit.
Jim and Katie Miller bequeathed 103 acres on the border of Ely in Linn County to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The property, a mix of agricultural land, woodland and grassland, is in a quickly developing area. The bequest ensures that the property’s open space, agricultural heritage and wildlife habitat will be maintained while benefiting water quality in the Lake Macbride watershed.
The Nature Conservancy conveyed three properties totaling 226 acres of land to the State of Iowa at below market value prices, including one bargain sale and two full donations. These land projects were valued at around $930,000 of donated land value. These properties included the 184 acres Steele tract at Waterman Prairie WMA in O'Brien County, the 11 acre Crossman Prairie in Howard County and the 31 acre Hoffman Prairie in Cerro Gordo County.
The Bob and Liz Petersen family donated a conservation easement to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation on 38 acres of woodland and prairie adjacent to the Shell Rock River in Bremer County. The property was part of a former girl scout camp that operated until the 1990s in an area that is now seeing increasing development pressure. The easement protects open space, builds on a complex of protected public wildlife areas, and benefits water quality in the Shell Rock River.
Duane Rempe donated a conservation easement to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation on 197 acres of agricultural land, grassland and mature timber south of Pella in Marion County. The easement prevents further development and preserves open space and perennial habitat, providing water quality benefits for a tributary of the Des Moines River.
David Stamps donated a conservation easement to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation on 204 acres of perennial grasses, woodlands and small streams near Seymour in Appanoose County. The easement protects natural features and limits subdivision, development and other threats to open space while preserving agricultural land uses like haying and grazing.
Ronald R. Wauters and James A. Wauters donated 5.76 acres forested property in Tama County to the State of Iowa acting through the Department of Natural Resources. Located 0.25 miles from Vining, this former Railroad Right-of-way will add outdoor recreational opportunities to the West Salt Creek WMA.