Upper Iowa River land will remain forever wild

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This article was written and posted on INHF's website in February 2007.

Iowans got an extra-special Valentine’s gift this year. Some of the state’s wildest land is destined to stay that way.

On February 14, the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF), a nonprofit conservation group, purchased 1,224 acres from the estate of the late Forrest and Gladys Ryan. Located in western Allamakee County, this site contains several miles of the Upper Iowa River, breathtaking scenery and huge expanses of unbroken wildlife and fisheries habitat.

Currently, the land is not open to the public. In the short-term, INHF will start restoring the natural vegetation. They’ll also begin efforts to create buffers along the river to improve water quality. 

“This tract is a special jewel packed with admirable and unique natural resources—hillside prairies, limestone bluff overlooks, large blocks of mature oak/hickory forests, the Upper Iowa River, many aspen stands and wintering roost sites for eagles,” says Terry Haindfield, wildlife biologist at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. “All of these features are located in what is considered the most remote place in Iowa and in my mind, one of few wild places still in Iowa.”

Forrest Ryan lived on the land for 48 years, always enforcing a strict off-limits policy for nearly everyone outside his family. He carefully harvested trees, cleared some land for crops, hunted and trapped, but did little else to change it.

“In his own way, Forrest Ryan preserved the land’s inherent wildness,” said Darrel Mills, INHF’s Blufflands Coordinator. “Now INHF wants to ensure its future.”

According to Mills, deer, songbirds, turkey, ruffed grouse, mink, raccoon and beaver all call the area home. The uncommon pileated woodpecker has also been spotted, as well as evidence of bobcats. Bald eagles frequently soar over the limestone outcrops and towering palisades.

The Ryan property is near publicly owned wildlife management and trout fishing sites, including the Canoe Creek Wildlife Area, Pine Creek Wildlife Area and Iverson Bottoms Wildlife Area. Now that the Ryan property is permanently protected, the conservation and recreation value of these public sites—and the region as a whole—is expanded, notes Mills.

A management planning team from INHF and the Iowa DNR will soon begin making short-term and long-term management plans.

“We will be working with IDNR staff on refining long-term protection and funding strategies,” notes Mark Ackelson, INHF president. “In the interim, INHF is working with the current farm tenant. We will revegetate two small crop fields within the large woodland and secure some initial buffers along the river. We also plan to have our land stewardship crew on site this summer to begin the prairie and oak savanna restoration. Meanwhile, INHF will continue to pay property taxes.”

According to Ackelson, many public and private partners have helped move the project to this point.

“This project would not have been possible without the Water Quality State Revolving Loan Fund, along with help from the Iowa Finance Authority, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Kerndt Brothers Saving Bank,” Ackelson says. “We also appreciate the assistance of the executors of the estate, Farmers and Merchants Savings Bank of Waukon and the attorney for the estate, Richard Howes.”

Ackelson adds, “It’s taken persistence, patience and tenacity from all involved—including the Ryan family and the executors along with INHF’s Board, members, supporters and staff team.”

INHF paid approximately $4.3 million for the property and anticipates additional expenditures for management and restoration.

Since its founding in 1979, INHF has helped protect nearly 100,000 acres of prairies, wetlands, woodlands and river corridors.  More than 4,000 of those acres are projects along the Upper Iowa River, including many that protect the bluffs or provide public canoe access. INHF has also helped many area landowners protect privately-owned land with voluntary permanent conservation agreements called conservation easements.

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