Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation - Blog

Conservation Champions

dwcohen81@gmail.com (Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation) — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:53:50 +0000

Story and photos with a spotlight on land donor Judith Bechtum

This was originally published by Dan Cohen on his Nature Communications substack and republished here with permission

“God Bless America. Let’s save some of it.”
~ Edward Abbey

Conservation champions walk among us. They walk as individuals and as groups; they are among the silent and the loud; they are on the front lines and behind the scenes; they are volunteers, paid conservation staff, educators, scientists, writers, and yes, at times, they are elected into government. Although there is a lot more work to do, conservation champions are the reason why we have some meaningful protections for our air, water, and soil, and why we have local, state, and federal parks and wildlife areas.

Most projects involving permanent land protections result from past and ongoing efforts of conservation champions. While serving as executive director for the Buchanan County Conservation Board, I worked to acquire, protect, and make available to the public many important places for wildlife habitat, parks, outdoor recreation, and improved water quality. Nearly all these projects relied on past and present conservation champions as the process often involved:

Many meetings of the conservation board and partner groups;
Work with natural resource professionals to better understand the property;
Partnership with Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation to more quickly acquire and hold the property while funds were sought for re-purchase;
Grants from established state and federal programs that exist because of hard-fought legislation, often involving key legislators, conservation organizations, and many dedicated individuals;
Funds from donors and nonprofit conservation organizations;
Dedicated conservation staff to manage the property for its important natural features and public use, now and into the future;
AND… the most fundamental conservation champion of all – a landowner who wants to see their precious property permanently protected for the benefit of wildlife, natural resource protection, and people. When their financial situations allow, these people sometimes donate or sell their land below appraised value to make sure this will happen. Without a willing landowner, projects never happen.

I recently attended the Gift to Iowa’s Future Day held by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to thank landowners who championed permanent conservation land protections for their property, and to share their stories. There were a variety of individuals and families in attendance who had gifted land or land value — some because they wanted to help create new areas for Iowans to visit and enjoy, others because they wanted to safeguard natural and open space through conservation easements on privately-owned land, but all because they cared deeply for the land they love.

In 2025, 22 landowners donated land or land value to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation — a statewide nonprofit conservation organization that works with private landowners and public agencies to protect and restore Iowa’s land, water and wildlife — to protect 2,247 acres in Iowa. For many of these people, and their families, the decision stems from a realization expressed well by the great author Barry Lopez:

“The land gets inside of us; and we must decide one way or another what this means, what we will do about it.”

During the event, Judith Bechtum spoke passionately about how the land got inside of her; how she came to understand what that meant, and how she decided what to do about it. The following is Judith’s statement with only slight edits. It represents the thoughts and actions of a conservation champion, reflected in 160 acres permanently protected as Bechtum’s Oakwood Farm in Mitchell County, Iowa, for the purposes of providing wildlife habitat and improved water quality.

As told by Judith Bechtum

In 2020, I became the sole/last survivor of my nuclear family. Blessed and privileged beyond words, I grew up enjoying our family farm of 160 acres, purchased post-WW2 with money mom and dad dug up somewhere, along with a farm loan. The burr oak, basswood, cherry, elm, apple, plum, and ironwood trees made up much of our land. In the neighboring 80-acre oak woods grew gooseberries, violets, and bluebells. My brother and I spent hours in those woods as well as in the oak savannas on our property. The trees shaded the cattle and the wildflowers. The creek provided water and fishing, and skating in winter. We built dams in the creek, rode the pony, learned to identify birds, and lived our best lives. There was also a stagecoach trail running through these woods.

As a teenager, my dad and I clashed on his harvesting of the trees for furnace firewood, access to more tillable land, and more board feet to build a barn and corn crib. We especially disagreed while sawing wood for the furnace. The WD45 Allis Chalmers was equipped with a band saw and it was a family job to cut and load wood. I still remember the smell of the cut cherry wood.

As a child, it never occurred to me this Eden could end. The passing years brought oak wilt, loss of the huge maple bee tree and the massive oak shading our kitchen. There was extensive cattle grazing. While I was away at college, the 80-acre woods across our fence was timbered. Tears still flow when I think of this tragedy. We lost the stagecoach trail, the May apples, geraniums, hawthorns, gooseberries, and blackcaps along with the oaks. It was like my heart was torn out.

Because my career led me to Minneapolis, it was difficult to do the daily and annual care and weed control necessary on the Iowa farm. I rented out the land to neighbors and came home every summer. The struggle with yearly weed control and acknowledgement of the deteriorating woodland, plus the loss of my family, gradually brought me to an unavoidable question: Who would protect these lands when I was gone? It felt like it was my destiny to come up with the answer. I eventually found Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF). This nonprofit land protection organization could guarantee adherence to my wishes for care and permanent protection of the entire farm for its wild assets. There would be no selling of the property. Instead, the 160 acres would be donated to INHF as Bechtum’s Oakwood Farm.

The next decision I had to make was when to make the donation. I chose to move forward with the protection last year, with a reserved life estate, meaning I retain control of the property until the time of my passing. This has given me peace of mind and gratitude. Now, when I travel to my Iowa farm, I know the backup plan. The newly planted 75 acres of prairie and the re-emerging native plants appearing in the woods and along the creek bank – the hen-of-the-woods, Jack-in-the-pulpits, and violets - will be permanently protected by INHF as per my wishes. The rental alfalfa field and farm buildings will provide income for INHF for use in land management on my farm and other projects.

The final “ah-ah moment” came for me last fall, while driving to my farm with some INHF folks. As we had barely turned off the gravel road into the hayfield on our way to see the new prairie, INHF senior land protection director Ross Baxter said, “There’s a harrier!” I knew right then that the harrier, bobolinks, meadowlarks, turkeys, deer, oaks, and wildflowers would receive care and protection for the future.

Note: Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation will be the long-term owner and steward of Bechtum’s Oakwood Farm as per Judith’s agreed-to wishes. Photos contributed by Dan Cohen

Gift to Iowa's Future Day 2026

eplace@inhf.org (Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation) — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 10:35:58 +0000

In 2025, INHF was fortunate enough to work with 22 individuals, families and organizations who chose to permanently protect the land they cherish by donating land, land value or conservation easements. Through their generosity, 2,247 acres across 15 counties will forever remain natural spaces, offering respite to Iowa’s wildlife and plants or providing places for Iowans to connect with nature.

They were recognized at a ceremony at the Iowa State Capitol on March 24. Learn more about the landowners that donated to INHF over the last year below:

John L. Pascal, Jr. & Sally J. Pascal
Pocahontas County
John Pascal, Jr. and Sally Pascal donated 10 acres of mixed habitat south of Pocahontas to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The property, along with an adjacent 11 acres donated by Gail Ewan, has since transferred to Pocahontas County Conservation to serve as a public recreation area crucial for wildlife habitat.

Fork Creek Farms, LLC & Richard C. Rastetter, Jr.
Pocahontas County

Fork Creek Farms, LLC and Richard Rastetter donated 52 acres of open space and perennial vegetation near Rolfe in Pocahontas County to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. Divided by the North Branch of Lizard Creek, prairie restoration at this site will provide water quality benefits and habitat for feeding, resting and nesting for migrating birds and other species. Protection and restoration of this property was a long-term goal of Rich before he passed away in 2023, and his family was happy to make sure his dream was achieved last year.

Todd Douglas Phillips and Barbara Taylor Phillips
Wapello County
Todd and Barbara Phillips donated a portion of the value of 17 acres adjacent to Garrison Rock Resource Management Area near Ottumwa to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. Protection of this area, which has since transferred to Wapello County Conservation, prevents development along the wildlife area boundary and enhances public access. Future prairie restoration will benefit the adjacent Des Moines River corridor.

Richard W. Metcalf & Robert D. Metcalf
Hamilton County
Richard and Robert Metcalf donated a portion of the value of 112 acres along the Boone River near Woolstock to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The land lies adjacent to 89 acres previously donated by the Metcalfs, and will transfer to Hamilton County Conservation. Protection of this site provides the opportunity for prairie restoration with important water quality benefits and outdoor recreation possibilities.

Marily and Bob Caddy
Monona County
Marily and Bob Caddy donated a conservation easement on 53 acres of remnant and reconstructed prairie and oak woodland in the Loess Hills to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The property has been a retreat and reunion site for the Anderson-Caddy family for decades, and the Caddys have put significant work into native habitat restoration. The conservation easement ensures it will remain in its natural state for future generations.

Marcia Buresh
Pottawattamie County
Marcia Buresh donated a conservation easement on and title to 280 acres of mixed habitat near Crescent to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. Marcia wanted to permanently protect the remnant prairie, diverse bur oak woodland and Cresent Creek, which flows through the property’s southern portion. A history of organic and sustainable farming practices has improved wildlife habitat and will support ongoing ecological restoration efforts, and the site will serve to help INHF’s land stewardship efforts throughout the Loess Hills.

Rob and Susan Fleming
Warren County
Rob and Susan Fleming donated a portion of the value of 117 acres known as Danamere Farms near Carlisle to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The site contains reconstructed prairie and woodland, a pond, an important regional trail connection, community gardens and countless educational opportunities. Just outside the Des Moines metro, this land provides significant urban outreach opportunities and the possibility to grow community engagement through programs and relationships put in place by the Flemings.

Janice Niemann
Pottawattamie County
Janice Niemann donated seven acres of remnant tallgrass prairie near Underwood to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. Its permanent protection provides refuge for wildlife in an area with little native habitat. Prairie seed collected from this site will be used to expand and restore other regional prairies.

Robert Chisman
Wapello County
Robert Chisman donated a conservation easement on 67 acres of varied wildlife habitat near Blakesburg to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The property includes woodlands, perennial vegetation, a stream and reconstructed wetlands. Protection of this site limits future development and other land uses that would compromise its value as open space. Robert also donated a conservation easement on 38 acres in Monroe County in 2017.

Karl and Elizabeth Kahler
Johnson County
Karl and Elizabeth Kahler donated a portion of the value of 32 acres near Iowa City to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The site includes prairie, oak savanna, constructed wetland and riparian woodlands adjacent to 80 acres that the Kahlers previously donated to INHF. Protection ensures continued wildlife habitat and water quality benefits and expands the area that INHF uses for many volunteer and educational events.

Bokelman Family Farm Trust
Cerro Gordo County
The Bokelman Family Farm Trust donated a portion of the value of a conservation easement on a high-quality 57-acre remnant prairie near Clear Lake to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The prairie features nodding lady’s tresses, Indian paint brush, Bobolinks and other sensitive plant and animal species. An uncommonly large parcel of unplowed ground in the prairie pothole region, protection ensures continued habitat for many migratory bird species and imperiled insects while benefitting the water quality of the greater Clear Lake watershed.

Eric A. Roberts and R. Stephen Prime
Harrison County
Eric Roberts and Stephen Prime donated 10 acres of Loess Hills remnant prairie in Missouri Valley to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The property has since transferred to Harrison County Conservation, which stewards the Hoary puccoon, ground plum, lead plant and other conservative prairie species that dot the hillsides. The property’s proximity to a population base offers potential recreational opportunities such as hiking, birding, picnicking and more.

Judith Bechtum
Mitchell County
Judith Bechtum donated 160 acres west of Riceville known as Bechtum’s Oakwood Farm to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation subject to a reserved life estate. The land features restored prairie, oak woodland, agricultural land and a section of Beaver Creek and hosts species such as Barred Owl, Dickcissel and Red-headed Woodpecker. Protection of this site makes permanent the Bechtum’s efforts to create and maintain wildlife habitat and to improve the quality of water leaving this land.

Morse Family
Iowa County
Alice Morse Atkinson, Daniel Henry Morse and Shami Lucena Morse donated a conservation easement on 204 acres of mixed habitat west of Williamsburg to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The site holds potential for wetland and prairie restoration which will benefit a variety of eastern Iowa wildlife and plant species, and protection will preserve its value as open space.

James and Miriam Sawtelle
Franklin County
James and Miriam Sawtelle donated a portion of the value of 287 acres along the Iowa River adjacent to Whitetail Flats WMA to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. Riparian woodland and oxbows offer habitat for a variety of amphibian and reptile species. Protecting this floodplain ensures it will remain in perennial vegetation and continue to benefit water quality and mitigate flooding impacts to those downstream.

Jane Dohrmann, W. Thomas Dohrmann and Ann L. Dohrmann
Franklin County
Jane, Thomas and Ann Dohrmann donated 23 acres of mixed habitat near Sheffield to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The site includes perennial vegetation and a small stream containing many small fish. Protection and restoration will benefit water quality and enhance usability for wildlife and people.

Alan Henderson
Davis County
Alan Henderson donated 80 acres of agricultural land near Milton to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The donation of the farm protects open space and the site’s longstanding agricultural heritage and will provide ongoing support for INHF’s mission.

Mike DeCook
Marion County
Mike DeCook donated a conservation easement on 91 acres near Marysville to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The property consists of mature woodland and restored prairie, with Cedar Creek running along one edge. The DeCook family, including Mike’s brother Dan and Mike’s parents Mark and Kay, have protected more than 3,000 acres in Lucas, Marion and Monroe counties through 8 conservation easements since 2011. The family’s vision is to re-wild the landscape, protect natural, diverse and agricultural systems, and preserve open space.

Renate K. Harker
Sac County
Renate Harker bequeathed 20 acres of mixed habitat near Sac City to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. Prairie restoration will enhance existing wildlife habitat, reduce erosion and promote water infiltration in the North Raccoon River watershed.

What would INHF do with your land?

eplace@inhf.org (Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation) — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000

INHF works with landowners across the state using a variety of methods to permanently protect their land's special natural features.

In 2011, George and Linda Phelps purchased 85 acres of land in Dickinson County, just on the other side of Highway 86 from West Lake Okoboji, not far from their long-time lake home. They could see that this land, so close to the lakeshore, had conservation potential. With some work, it could be diversified to provide wildlife habitat and wetlands to help improve water quality for their neighbors.

But the years passed, their vision remained a dream, and George’s health was declining. Wanting to find a secure future for their conservation passion project, Linda turned to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF).

Having worked with private landowners since 1979, INHF understands the intricacies and nuances of land decisions, and it’s a trust we take seriously. INHF is one of the most experienced organizations in the state when it comes to land protection and transitions. The Phelps’ vision and goals mirror those of many of the Iowans we’ve worked alongside as they contemplate the future. Oftentimes, the questions we hear are deeply personal; concerns coming straight from the heart. What might happen to my land after I’m gone? Will other people see its value the same as I do? Is there anyone who can preserve the conservation legacy I’ve worked to build?

We also hear questions dealing with financial, logistical or other practical concerns — also important considerations. How can I protect this land when I still need income? Could this land fit into my financial planning as an asset? Are there any tax considerations I should be discussing with my advisors?

Regardless of the reason the path has led them to INHF, finding answers to these questions begins with open dialogue, a curiosity for possibilities and access to resources.

What are my options?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. INHF can help you explore which of the legal protection options might work well for you, including guiding you to additional resources or, in some cases, entities that could offer a better fit.

When Judith Bechtum considered the future of the 160-acre northern Iowa farm where she grew up building memories in nature, she wondered if there was a conservation organization that could help preserve her vision. Wanting to protect the cherished oaks and prairies she carefully stewarded and with no direct heirs to continue her legacy, Judith donated her farm to INHF with a reserved life estate — a tool that allows the donor to continue to enjoy the land and receive any income it produces during their lifetime while establishing a clear legal successor for the land. When the land someday transfers to INHF, income from the farm operation will support the continuation of Judith’s land stewardship and restoration efforts.

Nan Bonfils and Don Adams live adjacent to McCoy Wildlife Area and Ledges State Park in Boone County, and their land holds similar natural resources. The couple began working with INHF to protect 31 acres with a conservation easement — a permanent agreement between a landowner and a qualified conservation group that protects the land’s special features while remaining in private ownership — but as conversations developed it became clear that the best way to meet their protection goals was through public ownership. Nan and Don chose to sell their land at a reduced price, making it more affordable for the Iowa DNR to purchase as an addition to McCoy Wildlife Area. A bargain sale is considered a donation of land value, which meant Nan and Don were eligible for a federal income tax deduction as well as an Iowa income tax credit.

After multiple discussions with INHF staff to explore ideas and crystallize the intent, Linda Phelps and her son David entrusted us with future restoration and donated the land to INHF in 2020. Today, much of the land has been restored to wetland and prairie, providing ecosystem services just like the couple had hoped. While George never got to see the waterfowl making their homes on this land or the benefits to the lake and its neighbors during high rain events, the couple’s vision is now a reality. The George Wylie Phelps Wildlife Area is under INHF’s care, protected forever.

These are just a handful of the potential avenues you can pursue — bequests, agricultural land easements, fair market sales... the options continue. Maybe a combination of methods yields the strongest, most fulfilling resolution. It’s a lot to think about. Let’s talk it through. Find a step-by-step guide at iowalandoptions.org.

To request a hard copy or to speak to INHF staff, contact us at info@inhf.org or (515) 288-1846. These landowner services are free and confidential.

Not just Nostalgia

aseastrom@inhf.org (Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation) — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Marily Caddy, born Marily Anderson, is a bright voice on the other end of the phone line. She’s quick with her laughter, her wisdom and her book recommendations. She also has endless stories to share about her family farm in Iowa.

“My younger son said they were supposed to write an essay [for school] on the most beautiful place in the world, and he said Iowa.” Caddy breaks into warm laughter. The family was living in Minnesota at the time, but Iowa was still front of mind. The Loess Hills and land surrounding the family farm still captivates Caddy. “You’re coming up through the hills,” Caddy says, envisioning the drive to the Caddy farm, “and you drive down into this valley. There’s a little stream. There are hills on one side [of the road] and there’s trees and fields on the other. And, of course, our house.”

But the farm is more than just aesthetic beauty. “It’s the heart of our family,” Caddy says.

It began in 1972 when her parents, Rev. Aldine “Al” and Florence Anderson purchased the family farm as a second home. Caddy’s parents both worked in Omaha: her father as a Lutheran minister, her mother as a high school librarian. However, Al and Florence both carried childhood ties to agriculture. It was as if something pulled them to the farm tucked in Iowa’s Loess Hills.

“There was always part of my dad that was just a farmer,” says Caddy. “He would go out there and work and work and work and work.”

As the Andersons worked, the land became something special to the family. When Marily married Bob in 1975, they spent their wedding night on the farm. Her children — Jason born in ’79, Adrienne in ’83 and Alister in ’86 — were baptized on the farm by their grandpa. Caddys and Andersons held weddings on the farm. The land joined them all together.

This sentiment encouraged Marily and Bob to purchase the family farm in 2005 from Marily’s mom who didn’t feel she could keep up with the farm after Marily’s father passed in 2001.

But Caddy began to notice changes that concerned her.

“One spring I turned the corner to find one of my favorite hillsides of big bluestem was plowed up into corn,” says Caddy, explaining that her love of the Loess Hills and her family land moved her to prioritize land stewardship.

Caddy connected with conservationists at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Iowa Native Plant Society. She removed the property’s cedar trees when she learned they displace plants that better stabilize the soil. She discovered that part of her family land was remnant prairie. She hired a contractor to hand-harvest remnant prairie seed. This ensured that when she restored two crop fields to their historic tallgrass splendor, they grew local ecotypes — plants adapted to a specific geographic environment.

Caddy describes the joy of learning to identify prairie plants and harvest seeds, restoring oak savanna and watching the animals that enjoy these landscapes return.

“Watching birds and lizards and insects and wood ducks brings me joy,” says Caddy. “It’s just amazing to hear a cacophony of beautiful, subtle nature sounds.”

As time passed, Caddy looked for ways to protect her family land and the work she had done to restore it. Her commitment was bolstered by the memory of her favorite hill of big bluestem plowed under.

Caddy says seeing that hillside was the moment she realized that “things were going the wrong way.”

Marily and Bob approached INHF, wanting to secure their land’s future with a conservation easement. Marily was delighted to sign the INHF-held conservation easement on her birthday. With this decision, she and Bob assured themselves that their 53 acres would be around in its natural state for their four grandchildren. From their remnant and restored prairie to the oak savanna landscape, the Caddy-Anderson legacy was guaranteed to survive for future generations, which is exactly what Marily felt she needed to ensure.

“The conservation easement really is the future,” Caddy says of the couple’s decision. “[The land] will be there in perpetuity for the next generations.”

Conservation, the buzz of insects and hills covered in big bluestem is Caddy’s dream, but not every conservation easement is the same. Easement holders like INHF are careful to tailor every conservation easement to the landowner’s priorities, the land’s needs, and vision for the future during negotiations. Conservation easements provide necessary security for landowners by protecting the conservation value and natural resources present on the land. Depending on the landowner, the priority could be agricultural use, native habitat or a mixture of both.

“The Caddys have cared for this land by removing invasive species, coordinating prescribed fire and carefully planting local ecotype prairie in previously row cropped fields,” Erin Van Waus, INHF Conservation Easement Director, said of the property. “The conservation easement gives them peace of mind that their decades of hard work will be protected forever.”

But protection isn’t just physical; it’s also emotional. For people like Caddy, the easement provides reassurance that the legacy of family farms will be protected, just like the landscape.

In the future, Bob and Marily’s youngest son, Alister, intends to take over management of the farm. He’ll work alongside INHF, who will make annual visits working in cooperation with the Caddy family to ensure the easement is honored. Until then, Marily continues to work on the conservation of their family land and remains hopeful for the future of Iowa and the Loess Hills.

“You can say it’s nostalgia, Americana, a fantasy,” says Caddy, “but the fact is [family land] is a treasure and if you lose it, you lose it forever. If you have the opportunity, make it a priority to keep the farm in the family.”

A Relict Reclaimed

info@inhf.org (Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation) — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 15:00:00 +0000

The Gray family started its ties with a diverse property — a 72-acre Loess Hills parcel with west-facing slopes overlooking the broad Little Sioux River basin in Ida County — outside of Washta in the early 1950s. Russell Gray rented the land for agriculture, raising corn and soybeans while their cattle grazed the oak savanna and grassland. Jim, Russell’s son, recalls those early days exploring the timber, cutting firewood and wandering savanna draws lined with large boulders and rocks the glaciers deposited many centuries ago.

The area held cultural resources as well, evidenced by the discovery of a tomahawk and smaller tools, left by previous stewards of the land like the Yankton, Wahpeton, and Očhéthi Šakówiŋ. In 1991, at the age of 80, Russell finally had the chance to purchase the land he’d rented for so long. Now, the property the family cherished and stewarded for many years, including through their annual visits to celebrate New Year’s Eve, was their own.

When Russell left the land to them in 2011, it was Jim and his wife Marcy’s turn to assume responsibility. And while the land had been cared for, Jim and Marcy saw some changes they wanted to make to their piece of the Loess Hills.

“The cedars were so tall and thick you couldn’t even see the river,” Marcy stated.

The eastern red cedar invasion had overtaken most of the grassland and was encroaching into the wooded areas as well. The Grays sought advice from the local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Iowa Department of Natural Resources staff, and when those staff performed a site visit, Jim and Marcy noticed their attention was not on the cedar trees, but on the ground and vegetation.

“They said we had native prairie here!” Jim recalls.

For the next decade, thousands of eastern red cedar were sawed, sheared, mowed and piled to again open the grassland areas. Several contractors were hired to help with the heavy lifting. Jim and Marcy would spend weekends with saws in hand, and once the batteries were used up, they enjoyed the remainder of the time exploring their property. Slowly, the land was returning to its historic state.

Life eventually took Jim and Marcy out of Iowa, and they began to wonder what would happen to the land where they’d invested so much time. They wanted to protect it from development and find an entity that could continue the restoration they’d started. One of their tree contractors was familiar with INHF and referred the Grays to investigate potential avenues.

While conversations of protection were underway, INHF staff and local conservation partners assisted in implementing a prescribed burn in the spring of 2023 to aid in the reduction of the hundreds of tree piles scattered throughout the property. The well-timed burn, which Jim and Marcy participated in excitedly, produced a staggering ecological — and emotional — response. They could see all their hard work and sweat equity come full circle as the property was cleaned of their piles, and thousands of baby cedars were eradicated.

“It was a great day for the prairie and the future preservation of the timber,” Jim remembers. “After all our hours of work on the cedars we are moving forward!”

With confidence in INHF’s stewardship practices and peace of mind the land would forever remain natural, Jim and Marcy Gray donated their 72-acre oak savanna and remnant prairie to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation in 2024.

“Jim and Marcy Gray’s Prairie Preserve” is unique and special to protect for a number of reasons. The open ridges and slopes hold valuable and rare remnant prairie, with an alluring promise of hidden gems. The pockets of mature oak savanna, woodland draws, two active springs and a beautiful view of the Little Sioux River Valley provide the perfect backdrop for future volunteer events and other community engagement opportunities. INHF is so grateful to work with wonderful landowners like the Gray’s to protect these special lands and carry their legacy forward.

INHF will continue to steward the land for biodiversity to improve water quality, wildlife habitat, and encourage the remnant species that are present.

“It has been so great working with INHF. We are excited they will continue to take care of the land,” says Jim.

Subsequent prescribed burns have further reinvigorated plants that were waiting for a chance to flourish, yielding pale purple coneflower, hoary puccoon, silver-leafed scurf pea, leadplant, and purple and white prairie clover. More surprises are sure to come.

Navigating New Terrain

bsanchez@inhf.org (Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation) — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Taking on family land is an opportunity and an obligation. Ready or not, assuming ownership of a property means making decisions with multigenerational impact:

What to plant? How to harvest? Prepare to sell? Partner to protect?

Navigating relationships while defining priorities adds to the complexity. When relatives, land managers, renters, or neighbors weigh in, even more options unfold.

What would Mom and Dad have wanted? How much is our land worth? Who can I trust to carry out our vision?

For Marcia Buresh, arriving at answers was a multi-year journey. After she and her husband David acquired 280 acres of mixed habitat surrounding his parents’ farm and homestead, they began discussing a long-term plan. Although David enjoyed being involved in farm operations (the couple lived a few miles down the road), Marcia knew that she wouldn’t be able to manage the property on her own.

Marcia and David feared a future buyer would turn the un-terraced hillside and timber into housing developments as suburban Pottawattamie County expanded. Attending a session hosted by Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation at nearby Hitchcock Nature Center highlighted potential pathways for the couple to consider. Together, they met with INHF staff to discuss protection options. After David died, Marcia had to decide which tool was right for her.

“What I know about farming, I picked up from osmosis,” Marcia said. “I did not grow up on a farm. I didn't work on the farm. Plus, David always said he thought that parts of the place would be better preserved in prairie or grasses than crop ground. I love the outdoors, but all I can do is mow. I don't see myself being able to plant a prairie at this point in my life.”

Widowed and in her mid-70s, Marcia didn't want to leave her land transfer up to an executor. She clarified her vision for the property and reached out to experts for help.

According to a 2023 Iowa State University Extension report on Iowa farmland ownership and tenure, Marcia fits the profile of many Iowa landowners:

Two-thirds of Iowa farmland is owned by people 65 years or above.

Thirty-seven percent of farmland is owned by people aged 75 and above.

Forty-six percent of farmland is owned by women.

Thirteen percent is owned by female landowners older than 80.

Gaining confidence through casual conversations

When women step into landownership, many must work against stereotypes and social dynamics to effectively articulate their intentions. They want to have a say in how their land is managed — but aren’t always sure what steps to take. Strategic visioning can help new landowners recognize their power and their land’s potential.

"We run into women who hardly recognize themselves as landowners because they feel like everybody else gets to make all the decisions,” said Jean Eells, a consultant whose collaborations with the Women, Food and Agriculture Network, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and other organizations connect her with women all over the country who recently inherited land.

"Putting all women landowners in a box of ‘They don't know what they're doing’, or ‘They only want the rent check’ is just not right,” she said.

A woman who inherits a renter along with her farm might feel hesitant to suggest switching crops or adopting additional conservation practices. The landowner doesn’t want to risk losing a tenant, especially if she relies on their machinery and equipment. Some women may fear that contentious business conversations could disrupt multigenerational connections in rural communities.

“We have to approach things carefully, because relationships are important," Jean said.

Jean recommends landowners in this position join informal conversation circles and participate in storytelling and role-playing exercises. If women lead with curiosity and confidence, Jean said she has seen formerly adversarial relationships with renters evolve.

Maintaining renter relationships through transitions

When Janis Leise retired to Wilmington, North Carolina, she held onto the cropland her grandfather had gifted her in the 1970s. More than a valuable source of income, the Grundy County parcel represented a legacy.

"Those of us who grew up on farms, we feel a responsibility,” Janis said. “We're tied to the land... I tell people I will always be an Iowan.”

Memories of watching her father mentor young, aspiring farmers inspired Janis to prioritize a partnership that would continue to serve the agricultural community. A father and son continue farming through a cash rental agreement. Even though the arrangement is long-distance, Janis enjoys touring the property to keep up on land management practices.

“I feel like I lucked out with that family,” Janis said. “I was impressed that they are trying to enhance the natural resources that are there, and [my renter] Cliff is passing those concepts on to his son."

When she worked at Principal Financial Group, Janis started volunteering at INHF seed harvests. Getting involved deepened her commitment to conservation and piqued her interest in contributing land to the cause. Janis never married and had no children, and her brother and nephew were already managing hundreds of acres of their own.

“I began to think about what will happen to that piece of ground after I die,” Janis said. “What I see in my part of the state is that property owners grow older and pass away, and if they don't have anybody in the family who wants to farm, the land is auctioned off."

She sought legal and financial advice as she started estate planning and realized the Reserved Life Estate protection tool could accomplish multiple goals.

Her land could benefit a conservation organization

Her land will be protected after her lifetime

She can continue to make decisions and receive income from the farm.

“Frankly, I looked at the tax advantages,” Janis said. “The residual tax benefit on my income taxes is sizable. Because I set up a charitable gift and based on the value of the land, a deduction will appear on my tax return for years, as opposed to just owning it until I die. An auction doesn't help me.”

Gifting working farmland to INHF demonstrates Janis’ trust in the organization to make strategic decisions. This approach keeps a family farm in operation. Eventually, income from the farm will support INHF’s mission by funding statewide conservation work. In the meantime, Janis continues to benefit. This arrangement helps her retire with confidence.

Involving extended family members in land transitions

As land passes between generations, groups of siblings and extended family members must make choices collectively. Shared ownership conversations can be contentious. When multiple properties are involved, administration can be especially burdensome.

Holding regular meetings and working with a farm management company helps INHF board member Carole Reichardt stay focused on strategy. Her background in environmental studies, business management and political science positioned her to assume management of multiple farm properties she shares with two sisters and their families.

“I knew we all shared the same vision, but how can we take [our land management] to the next level from a conservation and natural resource perspective, and then also keep the farms economically viable?” Carole said.

Involving a management company wasn’t only about outsourcing the bookwork. Carole felt that learnings from their properties could serve other farmers, too, strengthening the industry and ecosystem. Carole also engaged agronomy consultants to implement regenerative and organic practices. Leaning into their credentials helped Carole when tenants resisted trying something new.

“Don’t feel like you have to know it all, because you don’t and you won’t,” Carole said. “You need to honor your values and then look for assistance to help keep your farm or move your farm in a new direction."

Centering shared values also provided an important framework for sisters Christi and Shelley Shaw. Twenty years ago, the late Vernon Shaw and his daughters (including Sherry Whitford, who died in 2018) donated two expansive conservation easements in Clayton and Fayette counties.

“Our dad instilled in us the importance of adding more to what you were given to pass it to the next generation,” said Christi Shaw. “He also taught us the importance of conservation programs to keep the land the way it's meant to be, as God intended it.”

The land near Elkader features a coldwater creek that supports native trout. Though the family retains private ownership and use, the easements permanently protect the land from mining, developing, clear-cutting, over-grazing and other activities that could diminish the natural resources and scenic beauty.

After Sherry’s death, her share of the farm business passed into a trust. Along with their niece, Emily Ann Saito, Christi and Shelley own nine different Iowa properties. Christi and Shelley are successful pharmaceutical executives, and Shelley currently lives and works in Tokyo, Japan. The family recently transferred their homestead to their second-generation renter and purchased a property to build a vacation rental in Elkader, where they have roots.

“The reason Shelley and I are able to be so strong and courageous in our careers is because we know we always have Iowa,” Christi said. “One of the biggest things we're trying to instill [with the next generation] is that you invest in the land. You're doing good for nature, and you get a cash flow over time. Once you sell it, that ends.”

Putting land in trusted hands

Making decisions about the future of inherited land often takes time. As Marcia Buresh narrowed her options, new construction homes continued creeping closer to her Pottawattamie County property line. Finally, the moment, mechanism and nonprofit partner were all aligned: Marcia finalized a permanent conservation easement and donation to INHF.

Her action will prevent any habitat destruction or subdivision of the land her husband’s family called home. It will also allow for agricultural practices in existing fields, ecological restoration, and the preservation of remnant prairie.

As she reflected on the process a few weeks later, Marcia’s voice filled with emotion.

“I was relieved that it was done," she said. “And glad that it was going to be permanently protected."

Hearts in the Hunt

cwodny@inhf.org (Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation) — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Illustration by Jordan McDowell, graphic design intern

After being struck by a drunk driver while checking his mailbox, eastern Iowa farmer Jack Dvorsky was forced into an early retirement. Although he was no longer able to keep up with his 650-acre farming operation, Jack refused to let his circumstances dull his love for the outdoors. Instead, he saw this as an opportunity to do more of what he loved — hunting and fishing — finding ways to adapt these activities.

“Having a disability doesn’t mean you have to forfeit the things you enjoy — you just might have to find a new way to do it. Still being able to hunt means everything to me. Everyone deserves to have that opportunity if they want it,” says Jack.

Nearly twenty-three years after the accident, Jack is on a mission to ensure these kinds of opportunities are more readily available and accessible for others.

“I’ve had a good life,” says Jack. “I want to give something back.”

At the top of his list? Providing hunting areas specifically reserved for other hunters with disabilities.

He already owned a significant amount of land, but its location in Johnson County, surrounded by areas that are rapidly being developed for housing, meant that it would not be ideal hunting grounds. It was time to get creative.

Typically the behind-the-scenes partner in the protection of parks, trails and wildlife areas, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation doesn’t often purchase land to own long-term or facilitate regular access opportunities with outside organizations. But chances for land protection show up in all sorts of ways, and INHF is always open to finding new methods of supporting both the land and the greater community. So, when Jack approached INHF with his dream and asked for suggestions on how to accomplish it, a mutually beneficial relationship began to form.

“This partnership was a unique opportunity for us, one where we could meet multiple objectives,” says Joe McGovern, president of INHF. “Jack’s desire to provide opportunities for disabled hunters has meshed perfectly with INHF’s mission to protect and restore as much land as possible, and he’s enabled us to do that. None of us had to compromise.”

After several discussions and a lively ideation process, it was decided: Jack would donate his 346 acres of farmland to INHF with the expectation it would be sold and the proceeds used to protect more acreage in areas more suitable for hunting. This newly acquired land would be owned and managed by INHF and used exclusively for hunters with disabilities through partnerships with local organizations. Funds would also be set aside to faciliate hunts out of state in partnership with other organizations.

When considering where to purchase this additional land, it became clear that south-central Iowa would be the most beneficial and efficient option. Compared to Johnson County where Jack resides, open land is both more abundant and more affordable in the southern part of the state, allowing for maximum protection and restoration made possible by Jack’s donation. The cherry on top? South-central Iowa has abundant white-tailed deer and Wild Turkey populations, making it an ideal hunting location.

The partnership between Jack and INHF began less than a year ago in October of 2024, but the plan is already well on its way to fruition. Jack’s land donation is complete and the purchase and protection of additional properties in the southern part of the state has begun.

As to the future of this newly acquired land, plans closely align with both Jack’s and INHF’s missions.

“INHF will own and manage the land long term, working with other non-profit partners that will focus on facilitating the hunts,” says Ross Baxter, senior land protection director and counsel at INHF.

INHF intends to partner with outside organizations that will plan, organize and execute group hunting excursions exclusively for people with disabilities. One such partnership is already underway with Paralyzed Veterans of America, who facilitated spring turkey hunts at the newly protected Dvorsky Hunting Area in Marion County.

While it is possible that INHF will host occasional public events on these properties such as nature hikes and volunteer workdays, regular access will be reserved for management crews and the organized hunts.

Throughout this whole process, collaboration has been key. INHF has been able to take Jack’s land donation and turn it into considerably more protected acres, something that would not have been possible without his generosity. In return, INHF is ensuring there will be significant natural areas reserved especially for organized hunts that allow persons with disabilities a safe and bountiful hunting experience.

For Nature's Sake

eplace@inhf.org (Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation) — Tue, 20 May 2025 15:15:00 +0000

It was an early morning trip to Kossuth County for INHF president Joe McGovern, a drive he’d made many times during his tenure at the organization. He was headed to a property near Algona — Wildin Heritage Prairie — to lead a hike alongside Dr. Thomas Rosburg, an ecology and botany professor at Drake University. Dr. Rosburg had just concluded a second floristic inventory at the 80-acre remnant sedge meadow prairie, and it was the perfect time of year to share those results and showcase the prairie’s beauty in the height of bloom season.

The new inventory had revealed an impressive 147 native plant species, all making their home in this lush patch of prairie surrounded by farmland. Joe thought back to what this prairie looked like on his first visit when he was INHF’s land stewardship director.

He and coworker Bruce Mountain, INHF’s land projects director at the time, had driven here more than two decades earlier. A local estate attorney, Thomas Lipps, indicated his client was hoping to sell a property to a conservation-minded buyer and wondered if INHF might like to see it. It had never been plowed, never been drained and never been widely treated with herbicides. But standing there, it wasn’t immediately obvious to Joe or Bruce what plants remained. It had a long history of haying and grazing — both relatively low-impact land uses, but enough to disguise its potential. Purchasing it would be a risky gamble for a younger organization with limited resources.

If it weren’t for a conversation he’d had just a couple days prior with landowners at Indiangrass Hills, a 640-acre grassland property being restored in Iowa County, Joe might not have pushed for the purchase of Wildin Heritage Prairie. But he’d heard from these landowners that they were seeing great success in letting their land rest after many years of intense grazing. Under the careful stewardship of Judy Felder, Mary Brown, Sandy Rhodes, and Bill and Barby Buss, species at Indiangrass Hills were coming back — lots of species — even though the vegetation had previously been chomped down as short as astroturf. It was a commonly held belief that land in that state was a lost cause: nothing could possibly come back. That whatever prairie had been there was lost forever. But these landowners had proof it was possible, and Joe had seen it, not three days before stepping foot on this potential purchase.

“We have to give it a try,” Joe thought. “Every bit of remnant prairie is worth the risk.”

Joe’s freshly gained perspective and insistent curiosity, coupled with the board’s culture of trying, was what ultimately nudged INHF into taking the risk. INHF purchased Wildin Heritage Prairie in 2002.

And the plants did come back. Dr. Rosburg’s initial floristic inventory in 2003 (just a year after it was purchased) documented 125 native plant species, including more than a dozen species that indicate a high-quality site. It was a really good buy.

Today’s hike participants had been promised good views of small prairie potholes, unique plant communities and opportunities to see wildlife before the sun got high enough to remind everyone it was the peak of summer. Anxious to do a preliminary walk through and practice his talking points, Joe pulled up to the prairie well before the advertised start time. But an old farm truck was already backed into the field entrance — someone had beaten him there.

It was Dave Wildin.

Dave had grown up in Algona, helping his dad, George, and siblings cut and bale hay on what is now known as Wildin Heritage Prairie. The “wild hay” had to be harvested in patchy swaths to avoid the more than dozen wet depressions throughout the property — remnant prairie potholes. Dave and his siblings urged their dad more than once to consider tiling the land to make these chores easier. It could be more profitable in row crops, anyway. But George wouldn’t have it. The Wildin family cropped other land, but this hay and pasture ground was too important for their cow-calf operation.

Safely home from a distressing time as a recent high school graduate drafted into the army and stationed in Santo Domingo during the Vietnam War, Dave pursued many interests and business ventures. He earned degrees in Math and Industrial Technology from the University of Northern Iowa, substitute taught at a high school in Mason City, started a powersports company and farmed in between. The prairie his dad wouldn’t allow to be plowed remained through it all, though, all the way up to George’s passing in 2002. Dave and his siblings were faced with a decision — keep the land or cash in. While the other siblings were eager to sell, Dave saw the land as an investment. His grandfather, who had immigrated from England and moved to Eagle Grove in the 1920s, had amassed more than 1,000 acres of farmland for the family. Dave tried his best to convince his siblings to keep this piece — but to no avail.

“I told them that if this is what they were sure they wanted, then they needed to let me handle it,” Dave remembers. “I’ll find someone who wants to buy it.”

Even though the land, which was flat and on some of Iowa’s best soil, could have fetched more money being sold for conventional ag, Dave knew he had to find someone willing to honor his dad’s legacy. He had to find a buyer who wouldn’t plow or drain it.

It was Dave’s attorney who had connected with INHF all those years ago. It was Dave who had saved this gem, where a prairie hike was about to take place.

While events had been held at Wildin Heritage Prairie in the years since the sale, this was the first Dave had heard about. Amy Frankl Brandt, who was helping Dave edit a memoir he’d written recounting his time in Santo Domingo, also worked for the Algona Publishing Company and had received a press release inviting locals to attend a hike at Wildin Heritage Prairie. Recognizing the name, she forwarded it to Dave who was curious to see what this was all about.

“I really didn’t know it was this special,” says Dave. “I was amazed anyone’s got so much interest in this that they’d want to come hike around.”

There were certainly people who wanted to see it. Dave spent that August morning following Dr. Rosburg, Joe McGovern, members of the Iowa Prairie Network and others through the prairie as they ooed and awed over their observations.

“A trip to Wildin Prairie is a journey backward in time, an opportunity to see and feel a landscape that otherwise can only be vaguely imagined,” Dr. Rosburg explains. “Much of the Des Moines Lobe’s 12,000 square miles was graced by the prairie-pothole landscape — Wildin Prairie shows us the northern version of that ecosystem. It shows us how 150 native plant species can coexist and thrive in a mosaic of wet-mesic prairie, sedge meadow and shallow marsh communities. Its natural splendor is overwhelming. The plants you see — and their ancestors — have occupied this land for several thousands of years. They and the animals they support have an absolute right to this place. The Wildin family has given Iowans a gift of immeasurable value. A place where time fades away and Nature is all that matters.”

“I learned more about that prairie that morning than I’d known my whole life,” Dave remarks.

More than twenty years later, Dave is even more confident in his choice to sell his father’s beloved land to a conservation buyer.

“It really reinforced my decision,” says Dave. “It made me feel good that it amounted to something; I didn’t really realize what I’d done at the time. If anybody else has an opportunity to do something like this… what a legacy it can be. A legacy for the whole country.”

Wildin Heritage Prairie will forever remain as a wild space. Outside of scheduled events, it doesn’t offer outdoor recreation opportunities. These 80 acres might not make a significant economic impact on neighboring communities — but can you really put a price on a smooth green snake, Savanna Sparrow or regal fritillary? It’s a legacy for a reason far greater: the inherent value of wild places. This is a story of protecting nature for nature’s sake. A story that might have been lost forever if it weren’t for the family’s conviction, the connection made by the attorney, or the willingness to take a chance.

The hike participants went back to their cars with soggy boots, scribbles in their plant guides and a few bug bites. But none, except for maybe Joe, left with hearts as full as Dave Wildin’s:

“I’m sure this would have pleased my dad to no end.”

Iowa's past holds lessons'

gsolbrig@inhf.org (Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation) — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Having grown up in a family with an appreciation for nature and outdoor activities, Cathy Irvine has spent her life connected to the land. She took extra steps to ensure nature was part of her students’ understanding of the world throughout her career in special education in the Waterloo school district.

“I thought it was important for children to be outside,” Cathy said. “We always planted a tree on Arbor Day, planted flower bulbs in the fall, had plants on windowsills.”

She and her late husband David made their home on the Irvine family farm, more than 400 acres of rich agricultural land in Benton County. David had a deep love for the land, for Iowa and its history. The decades spent together on the property deepened that connection for both of them. But a simple road trip and a good book would ignite a curiosity and change the trajectory of that farm.

“We had read John Madson’s ‘Where the Sky Began,’ and it was pivotal,” Cathy said. “We were fascinated to think how Iowa looked when Europeans first arrived.”

Around that same time, the couple traveled to Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Jasper County to visit the bison, elk and expansive prairie. It was on this trip they first became aware of how much prairie had been lost and the efforts to bring prairie back. The couple found themselves drawn to the rich biodiversity that once flourished on the land where they now lived.

After David’s passing, Cathy felt the urge to transform their passion into something tangible.

“The strongest instinct I had was to preserve something he loved about living here,” Cathy remembers. “Iowa’s past holds lessons. We need reminders of what allowed Iowa farmers to do such a good job of raising healthy crops.”

With her background on nurturing students and the couple’s long history as INHF supporters, Cathy knew which organizations to pull together to discuss her goals. The University of Northern Iowa’s Tallgrass Prairie Center (TPC) would be the perfect entity to steward the area with student involvement. In 2018, Cathy donated 77 acres of the Irvine Farm to INHF, who then transferred the land to TPC subject to a conservation easement.

“Conservation easements restrict what can and cannot be done on the land in the future,” explained Erin Van Waus, INHF Conservation Easement Director. “With this legal tool, the Irvine Prairie will remain prairie forever, regardless of future ownership.”

But there was still a prairie to build.

“There’s more to it than buying seed and scattering it around,” Cathy said.

Cathy worked with Laura Jackson, biology professor and TPC Director, and others at the prairie center to evaluate the best course of action for the planting process. The land would be restored in distinct phases, splitting up the job into smaller, more manageable plots. First, the land was evaluated to determine the species the soil could support, along with consideration of what plants are most successful in prairie reconstructions. Justin Meissen, TPC’s Research and Restoration Program Manager, designed the first seed mix to include a wide array of forbs, sedges, grasses and legumes. Cathy herself is very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna of prairie ecosystems and made sure species like rattlesnake master, golden alexander, compass plant, and aster varieties were in the mix.

“You can’t choose just one plant as a favorite. There’s something spectacular in every season,” said Cathy. “It’s all beautiful.”

The planting methods varied, including techniques ranging from no-till seed drilling to transplanting seedlings. Cathy remains consistently involved with the planning meetings and hands-on work, helping with mowing and watering when needed.

The large-scale restoration project has yielded many learning opportunities for the planters and caretakers. Data has been gathered every step of the way, providing insight to how species germinate and respond to different practices.

“It is very unusual to have so much documented information about how the work is conducted,” said Laura.

Such a complete data set is also beneficial for studies on prairie’s efficiency in carbon sequestration. Lara recently attended a master’s thesis defense on the study of the prairie’s soil, which demonstrated that each hectare of the land is storing the equivalent of carbon emissions from one car.

Leaning into Cathy’s hope that this be a place for learning, TPC views the prairie as an educational resource for students to directly observe the effects of seed mix design, prairie diversity and evolving restoration techniques. Student workers, along with volunteers at TPC, have had the opportunity to assist in vegetation monitoring, taking photo points and participating in prescribed burns on the property. Irvine Prairie has already been incorporated into restoration ecology and wildlife ecology course curriculum, and UNI has incorporated three camera traps which have captured thousands of photos of the wildlife species who have already moved in. High schools such as Union High have also gotten involved with the project, transplanting hundreds of plants on the property.

“My vision twenty years from now is that young families will come out and their mom or dad will say, ‘I planted this prairie,’ and they will have that ownership,” Cathy explained.

A few years later, with the prairie restoration well underway and students and faculty learning alongside one another, Cathy again chose to make a gift. She donated another 215 acres of the Irvine farm — more than tripling the size of this teaching laboratory — so more prairie can take hold. Restoration work is already in full swing.

“We are incredibly honored and privileged to work with Cathy and help make this dream a reality for her and for the whole community — the people and the wildlife,” said Laura.

Through an effort to merge a resplendent past and budding future, she is sowing the seeds for a more diverse Iowa landscape. The ever-enduring legacy of the Irvine family will extend for generations to come and help cultivate a state-wide passion for prairie ecosystems. Cathy’s vision and collaboration with UNI students has made the Irvine prairie a beloved piece of the Benton County community, who can immerse themselves in nature and enjoy the outdoors closer to home. Cathy’s exemplary stewardship will remain an example to those passionate about restoration.

“We need to be resilient in planning and thinking ahead,” urged Cathy. “The best way to do that is by looking back.”

For the Greater Good

hjobst@inhf.org (Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation) — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Rich and Sue Smith purchased the first 54 acres of their 104-acre Ida County property in 1992. They contemplated building their home on its rolling topography and scenic vistas, but soon decided the land should be kept for conservation. Rich’s goal for the land was to increase wildlife habitat, which he did by enrolling in the Conservation Reserve Program in order to restore 80 acres of grassland. He also created food plots and planted trees with his two sons often working alongside him.

Rich was an avid outdoorsman. He helped start the Ida County Pheasants Forever Chapter, serving as its president for 25 years. Rich especially liked to mentor youth. As chapter president, he worked to include kids and families in their annual banquets and felt it was important to encourage youth participation. He would often tour clients and customers around his land and take them hunting. He talked with other landowners about enhancing wildlife habitat. He loved to share his passion for the outdoors.

The oasis Rich and Sue stewarded lies adjacent to the 252-acre Crawford Creek Recreation Area and drains to its 62-acre lake. It’s one of Ida County’s most popular parks. In a county with just 574 acres of public parks and wildlife areas, it didn’t take long for people to notice when the Smith’s property came up for sale following Rich’s passing.

“I immediately called INHF and asked for help.” says Zach Hall, Ida County Conservation Director.

Hall knew the area would make an excellent addition to existing public land and preserve much needed habitat. When Sue was approached about selling the property so it could become a public conservation area, she knew that was exactly how she wanted to honor her husband’s legacy. Sue donated a portion of the land value to help ensure the project’s success. That gift helped fuel the fundraising, and an outpouring of community excitement and support soon followed.

Local businesses joined the effort with both Rich and Sue’s former employers contributing. The Ida County Board of Supervisors contributed $100,000 to the fundraising along with many individual private donors. Ida County Conservation successfully applied for a Wildlife Habitat Stamp grant through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources with local conservation groups joining forces to raise the needed match funds.

“The collective efforts gave energy and reinvigorated our conservation community,” said Hall.

But the support wasn’t just local. The Iowa Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers offered up a challenge match to their members, which garnered national attention through their fundraising page and a mention on an episode of a MeatEater’s podcast called Cal’s Week in Review.

“The collective efforts gave energy and reinvigorated our conservation community,” Zach Hall, Ida County Conservation Director.

The fundraising is complete, and the land now belongs to the people of Ida County. The Rich Smith Wildlife Habitat Area was opened to public use on September 1, 2023.

“It’s important to make sure all Iowans have ready access to nature, and we’re thrilled to have finally done a project in Ida County” said Ross Baxter, INHF’s Senior Land Conservation Director and Counsel.

This park not only preserves Rich’s legacy, but increases the amount of Ida County public land by nearly 20 percent. Sue is confident that public ownership is what Rich would have wanted.

“He’s smiling knowing that his work to create wildlife habitat will continue and allow for more and more people to enjoy the area,” said Sue.