Realty & Land Services

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DNR Appraisal Guidelines
Lease to Beginning Farmers Program
Property Taxes
Conservation Easement Program

Public Land Acquisition and Donation Program
Public Land Management Program
Realty & Land Services 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.

Property Taxes

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources does, in fact, pay property taxes on some DNR owned land.

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.

Public Land Acquisition and Donation Program

The State of Iowa, acting through the Department of Natural Resources, acquires land, from willing sellers, to manage and protect natural resources and to provide recreational opportunities to all the people of the state. Through the public land program, wetlands, forests, scenic areas, prairies, wildlife and fish habitat, rare species habitat, and other resources are being protected and managed.

Public Land Management Program

The 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 entities, habitat lease program coordination and oversight, contracting for land surveys, building disposal, and management of DNR field office leases.