The public is invited to help dedicate the new Iowa River Wildlife Area (IRWA), on Sat., Sept. 6, at 10 a.m. Get event details.

Come see and celebrate this successful conservation project, which will protect 485 acres of diverse wildlife habitat, about 1.5 miles North of Marshalltown.

“This is one of the biggest and best conservation areas in Marshall County,” said Mike Stegmann, Marshall County Conservation Board Director. “The IRWA will protect more than a mile of Iowa River shoreline, along with mature woodland, springs, wetlands and prairie. It includes an adjoining site where we are restoring additional wetlands and prairie.”

 A short dedication ceremony at 10 a.m. will feature speakers from the Marshall County Conservation Board and the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF). Special donors and friends will be recognized and a memorial sign will be unveiled. The public can then take a guided wagon tour of the area, weather and ground conditions permitting.

Maps will be available for those who want to hike the area on their own. There are limited mowed areas and no trails at the site.

Guests are encouraged to meet at 9:40 at the Marshall County Courthouse in Marshalltown to carpool to the dedication since parking is limited at the site. To drive to wildlife area: Take North Center Street North out of Marshalltown to Sand Road. Turn West (left) on Sand Road. Proceed west approximately three-quarters of a mile to the parking area on the south side of Sand Road.

In case of heavy rain, the dedication will take place at the at Grimes Farm and Conservation Center, 2359 233^rd St., Marshalltown.

Private funding for the project included $100,000 from an anonymous couple and an estate gift and tributes in honor of John S. Lowenberg. The mature woodland within the area will be known as the Lowenberg Memorial Forest. Other key supporters include the Martha-Ellen Tye Foundation, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever, Marshall County Ducks Unlimited, and many local families and businesses. The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, a nonprofit conservation group, provided fundraising assistance and interim ownership. INHF has provided similar services for a number of other Marshall County conservation sites, including Sand Lake and Marietta Sand Prairie.

 About half the funding to acquire the area came from the Resource Education and Enhancement Program (REAP) and Wildlife Habitat Stamp funds, both awarded through competitive grants. The Iowa Department of Transportation also helped, transferring 155 acres of adjacent restored wetland habitat to the IRWA as mitigation for wetlands destroyed during road construction.

Now that the county has reached its funding goal, work has started on the parking lot, public access, boundary markings and conservation management. County conservation staff will conduct controlled burns to nurture and assess the status of the remaining native prairie. No designated trails are planned.

The area, which will open to the public Sept. 1, will be designated as a game management area. Management goals for the Iowa River Wildlife Area include natural lands reclamation and preservation. In addition to public hunting, other compatible activities that will be allowed include nature study, bird watching and outdoor photography.

For more information, e-mail Ann Robinson, INHF Outreach Coordinator, or call 515-288-1846, or contact the Marshall County Conservation Board, 641-752-5490.