Cortright Wildlife Area dedication to be held

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This news release was written and released by the Buchanan County Conservation Board in May 2008.

Buchanan County Conservation Board

Above: Cortright Wildlife Area (36) is located off River Road, a mile southeast of Littleton. It is the newest and largest county public area along the Wapsipinicon River. Other nearby county areas shown in this map section include: Cutshall Area (7), Anderson Addition (29), Mickey Fox (17), Ham Marsh (35), and Wapsi Access (33).

On April 29, the Buchanan County Conservation Board officially took possession of the amazing Cortright Wildlife Area, located southeast of Littleton. This newest Buchanan County public area provides great opportunities for outdoor recreation and nature appreciation.

On Saturday, June 7, the Conservation Board will host a special dedication event at the Cortright Wildlife Area. This is a great opportunity for the public to learn the story of how this great natural treasure was able to be protected in public trust. The event will begin at 10 a.m., with a number of short presentations by project partners. Following the presentations, people are encouraged to walk the property and experience some of its natural features – now available to one and all. Natural resource professionals will be on hand to talk about the area and their agencies' involvement. Cortright Wildlife Area is located on River Road, Northwest of Independence (just south of Littleton) in Buchanan County (see map on attachment). A new rock parking area has been developed by the pine planting on the north side. For more information, call 319-636-2617.

The Cortright Wildlife Area contains five fishable ponds, more than 100 acres of native forest, a mile of Wapsipinicon River frontage, a variety of forested wetlands and tree plantings, and crop land. The Conservation Board plans to convert 30 acres of crop land to upland prairie, resulting in an incredibly diverse natural area of wetlands, woodlands, river, ponds, and prairie!

The Cortright acquisition is a model example of how conservation groups effectively acquire and protect natural areas in the face of daunting land prices and small conservation budgets. The project succeeded due to the Conservation Board's success in rallying partners and piecing together grants. The Conservation Board looked immediately to its strong partner friends in state and federal agencies, nonprofit groups, and individuals.

Public acquisition of the Cortright Wildlife Area could not have happened without important conservation friends:

• Kevan Cortright, who offered the land to the Conservation Board with the right of first refusal.
• Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) which purchased and held the property until final fundraising efforts and real estate closing were completed.
• Iowa DNR Environmental Protection Commission and Iowa Finance Authority which worked with INHF and Security State Bank in Independence to provide low-cost financing while the Conservation Board sought funding.

Thanks to the following funding partners (in order of their financial commitment):

• North American Wetlands Conservation Act (administered by Iowa DNR)
• Iowa Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) program
• Iowa Wildlife Habitat Stamp Grant (hunter's dollars at work)
• Pheasants Forever Build A Wildlife Area Program (administered by the PF State Trust)
• National Wild Turkey Federation (Iowa Chapter)
• Buchanan County Chapter of Pheasants Forever
• Buchanan County Wildlife Association.
• Kirkwood College Wetlands Classic Fundraiser

The Conservation Board also received proud support from the Board of Supervisors and many county citizens as it pursued the Cortright acquisition.

Driving directions:

• From Highway 20, take Jesup exit (#245) onto County Road V62.
• Go north on V62 for 4 miles (through Jesup).
• Turn right/east onto D16 (aka 175th St.) and go about 2 miles through the town of Littleton.
• Just beyond Littleton and after crossing the Wapsipinicon bridge, watch for River Road Blvd.
• Turn right/south on River Road Blvd. and continue about one mile to dedication site.
  
  
  

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