Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation: Angler's Bay Release

This article was written and posted on INHF's website in June of 2006.

The effort to purchase and protect 3,500 feet of natural shoreline on Big Spirit Lake is gaining generous support. According to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF), more than $950,000 in private funds have been committed to the project since it was announced last October. About $700,000 remains to be raised from families, foundations and businesses.

The shoreline of the 93-acre Anglers Bay property includes the largest bulrush bed and richest aquatic plant life found at the Iowa Great Lakes. The plants provide critical habitat for fish, birds and other wildlife.

The University of Okoboji Foundation has just approved a grant of $55,138 for Anglers Bay. Steve Goodenow, Okoboji Foundation Chairman, said, “We felt this project was everything the Okoboji Foundation stands for: environment – water quality & preservation, recreation, education and overall quality of life. Although this year’s available funds were limited, we wanted to make a strong statement of our support by giving every dollar to this exceptional conservation project."

Two other major grant commitments were recently approved. The Okoboji Protective Association (OPA) will contribute $25,000, and the Spirit Lake Protective Association will contribute $22,500.

“This project is extremely important for the ecology of Spirit Lake,” explained Gretchen Graff from the Spirit Lakes Protective Association board. “We’ve all learned a lot about the importance of this aquatic habitat, and all of us need to help protect it.”

Hank Miguel, president of the OPA, said keeping the site in the public trust is a huge commitment that the century-old organization supports. "Angler's Bay is a distinctive, vital environment in our chain of Iowa Great Lakes," Miguel said. "The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation made a historic pledge to preserve it, and the OPA resoundingly backs that promise."

Mark Ackelson, INHF president, said, “We are thrilled with the generous support being shown by families and organizations who love the Lakes. Some are eager to support the project because of its vital fish habitat or wildlife benefits. Others just want to see this natural shoreline keep whole for all to enjoy its beauty. We’re very encouraged to have so many volunteers and contributors working hard for this project.”

More than 75 donors have contributed or pledged their support of the project so far. Other major donors include Bank Midwest, Dickinson County Water Quality Commission, Gleeson Family of Sioux City, Becker Family Foundation, Fred Dowden, Petersen Family Foundation, Drs. John and Suzanne Synhorst, Mike and Sally Hood, Dick and Carolyn Ramsay, Ralph Green Innovations Fund, the Ralph & Sylvia G. Green Charitable Foundation, Jane Shuttleworth and Hank Miguel, Natalie Brenton, Woody and Julie Brenton, John and Juliana Mayne, Nancy and George Perry, Steve and Sara Anderson, David and Marsha Bergstrom, Dudley and Sally Conner, Richard Garberson, Gretchen and Stephen Graff, Scott and Peggy Hughes, Carolyn J. Sweers, and gifts in memory of Robert Zeigler.

Ackelson also noted that the first major commitment to the project came from Don and Nancy Yarnes, who are selling the land to INHF on contract at less than appraised value. He said, “This gift of land value is a significant part of the project.”

In addition to the private fundraising goal of $1.67 million, INHF is seeking $5 million in public funds. Much of the public funding has been secured through a recent legislative appropriation plus commitments by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Project supporters will request another appropriation during next year’s legislative session.

INHF is purchasing the site on contract for eventual transfer to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). Once transferred, the 93-acre site will become a public area for wildlife habitat, low-impact recreation and bike trail access.

Future management plans for the site include reconstructing prairie, restoring wetlands, and building a trail that links to the Dickinson County Recreational Trails system. Meanwhile, the site adjoins and buffers natural resources at Hale’s Slough, a state-owned wetland area.

Project contributions, designated “Anglers Bay,” can be sent to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation at www.inhf.org or 505 Fifth Avenue, Suite 444, Des Moines, IA 50309.

For more information, e-mail Cathy Engstrom, Director of Communications, or call (515) 288-1846.