List items for Land Donor Profiles
More than 3,200 acres of Iowa land in 22 counties with an estimated value of more than $11 million was permanently protected through donations for conservation.
The donors associated with 26 donations of land or land value will be recognized during a ceremony on March 24, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., in the 1st floor rotunda, at the State Capitol, in Des Moines.
Judith Bechtum donated 160 acres west of Riceville in Mitchell County, 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. It hosts Barred Owls and Dickcissel and Red-headed Woodpeckerd.
The long-term protection of this site will preserve the Bechtum’s efforts to create and maintain wildlife habitat and improve the quality of water leaving this land.
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 in Cerro Gordo County 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.
Marcia Buresh donated a conservation easement on and title to 280 acres of mixed habitat near Crescent in Pottawattamie County to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF).
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. The site will contribute to INHF’s land stewardship efforts throughout the Loess Hills.
Marily and Bob Caddy donated a conservation easement on 53 acres of remnant and reconstructed prairie and oak woodland in the Loess Hills in Monona County to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.
The property has been a retreat and reunion site for the Anderson-Caddy family for decades. The Caddys have put significant work into native habitat restoration. The conservation easement ensures it will remain in its natural state for future generations.
Robert Chisman donated a conservation easement on 67 acres of varied wildlife habitat near Blakesburg in Wapello County to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.
The property includes woodlands, perennial vegetation and a stream and reconstructed wetlands. The conservation easement 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.
Mike DeCook donated a conservation easement on 91 acres near Marysville in Marion County 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 eight conservation easements since 2011. The family’s vision is to re-wild the landscape, protect natural, diverse and agricultural systems, and preserve open space.
Jane, Thomas and Ann Dohrmann donated 23 acres of mixed habitat near Sheffield in Franklin County to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.
The site includes perennial vegetation and a small stream with many small fish. The long-term protection and restoration of the land will benefit water quality and enhance wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation opportunities.
Rob and Susan Fleming donated a portion of the value of 117 acres known as Danamere Farms near Carlisle in Warren County 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 the Flemings established.
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.
The long-term protection and restoration of this property was a long-term goal of Rich before he passed away in 2023. His family was happy to make sure his dream was achieved last year.
Renate Harker bequeathed 20 acres of mixed habitat near Sac City in Sac County to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. Prairie restoration will enhance existing wildlife habitat, reduce erosion and promote water infiltration in the North Raccoon River watershed.
Alan Henderson donated 80 acres of agricultural land near Milton in Davis County to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF).
The donation of the farm protects open space and the site’s longstanding agricultural heritage. It will provide ongoing support for INHF’s mission and land stewardhip efforts.
Mark and Barbara Howe have made a contribution to the natural heritage of Iowa's landscape with a conservation easement on 59 acres of their forested land in Allamakee County.
The property sits along the Upper Iowa River within the rugged, ancient landscape knows as the "Driftless Area". The Driftless Area is know for premier trout fishing, trophy whitetail deer hunting, river recreation, scenic resources, archeological sites and some of the highest quality forests in Iowa. The Upper Iowa River, a popular paddling and fishing destination, hosting nearly half-million anglers and paddlers annually, runs along their property.
The conservation easement will protect the forest area on the Howe's property and assure the forests is sustainably managed in partnership with a local DNR forester so it can continue to produce native hardwood timber for future generations, preserving the scenic beauty, while also supporting wildlife living in the area.
The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation conveyed six properties totaling 2,523 acres of land to the State of Iowa at below market value prices. These land projects were located in five counties and valued around $4.2 million of donated land value.
Karl and Elizabeth Kahler donated a portion of the value of 32 acres near Iowa City in Johnson County to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF). The site includes prairie, oak savanna and constructed wetland and riparian woodlands adjacent to 80 acres that the Kahlers previously donated to INHF.
Long-term protection ensures continued wildlife habitat and water quality benefits and expands the area that INHF uses for many volunteer and educational events.
Richard and Robert Metcalf donated a portion of the value of 112 acres along the Boone River near Woolstock in Hamilton County to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The land, adjacent to 89 acres previously donated by the Metcalfs, will transfer to Hamilton County Conservation.
The long-term protection of this site provides the opportunity for prairie restoration with important water quality benefits and outdoor recreation possibilities.
A stretch of Benton County countryside, rolling grassland, scattered timber, and the hum of wildlife, will now remain that way forever. Thanks to a newly established conservation easement, approximately 50 acres of well-managed habitat will be permanently protected while remaining in private ownership.
The landowners, Steve & Teresa Meyer, have spent years caring for the property and its wildlife. They wanted to ensure their stewardship would continue long after them. Through a partnership with Benton County Conservation, that dream became a reality.
“We are excited to help create this conservation easement with the vision that Steve Meyer has provided for his property” said Randy Scheel, Benton County Conservation Board Member. “Since acquiring the land years ago, Steve has meticulously taken great care to remove all invasive vegetation while focusing on replacing it with native trees and plants. This land is the perfect example of the type of ground that needs to be protected for generations to follow.”
According to landowner Steve Meyer, “My major reason for doing this is preservation. Wherever I go it seems that every spot of woodlands I see is disturbed by development of some kind. As our woodlands vanish, so do our songbirds and our pollinators and native plants. Accompanying the loss of our native plants and animals is a reduction in our quality of life. By taking this action I hope to protect what small part of our landscape that I control and preserve it in its natural state for future generations to enjoy. I also hope that by taking this action I might inspire others to do the same..."
Alice Morse Atkinson, Daniel Henry Morse and Shami Lucena Morse donated a conservation easement on 204 acres of mixed habitat west of Williamsburg in Iowa County 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. The conservation easement will preserve the land's value as open space.
Janice Niemann donated seven acres of remnant tallgrass prairie near Underwood in Pottawattamie County 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.
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 been transferred to Pocahontas County Conservation to serve as a public recreation area crucial for wildlife habitat.
Todd and Barbara Phillips donated a portion of the value of 17 acres adjacent to Garrison Rock Resource Management Area near Ottumwa in Wapello County to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.
The long-term protection of this area, which has been 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.
List items for Land Donor Profiles Additional
Eric Roberts and Stephen Prime donated 10 acres of Loess Hills remnant prairie in Missouri Valley in Harrison County to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.
The property has been 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 hiking, birding, picnicking and more recreational opportunities.
James and Miriam Sawtelle donated a portion of the value of 287 acres along the Iowa River adjacent to Whitetail Flats Wildlife Management Area in Franklin County to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.
Riparian woodland and oxbows offer habitat for a variety of amphibian and reptile species. The long-term protection of this floodplain ensures it will remain in perennial vegetation and continue to benefit water quality and mitigate flooding impacts to those downstream.
Henry and Patricia Strathman lived and farmed this 52 acre property bordering the historic Heritage Trail in Dubuque County. Henry and his family wanted to honor their father L.C. Strathman by donating their property to the Dubuque County Conservation Board.
In February of 2025, Henry and Patricia donated their property so everyone would have the opportunity to enjoy the scenic property. The Dubuque County Conservation Board worked with the Iowa DNR Forester and developed a forest stewardship plan for the picturesque property that overlooks the Heritage Trail and Little Maquoketa River.
In the spring of 2027, 4,200 trees will be planted to provide critical habitat on the property.