Council Bluffs
Purchases Vincent Bluff

---

photo by Anita O'Gara

The City of Council Bluffs authorized the purchase of Vincent Bluff Prairie at their June meeting, and the transfer from INHF is pending at press time.

Partnering with the Loess Hills Preservation Society (LHPS), the Foundation purchased the property from Mildred Vincent. INHF held the land until Council Bluffs could secure private, federal and state funds (including a 2001 REAP grant) to pay for it.

Meanwhile, LHPS volunteers are removing invasive brush from the site's prairie remnants. "I can't believe how much the Society accomplished in the past year," says Lisa Hein, INHF's program and planning director. "Thanks to their hard work, a prairie is coming back to life." LHPS is a nonprofit organization devoted to protecting Iowa's Loess Hills landform.

"This won't be a traditional park with bluegrass and swing sets," adds Hein. "It's hard enough to find prairie remnants in Iowa, let alone within city limits. This park will be used for bird-watching, nature study and school groups."

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