DNR purchases addition to Riverton Wildlife Refuge

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This article was written and posted on INHF's website in June 2003. 

With the addition of 1,036 acres, the Riverton Wildlife Area in Fremont County is bigger and better for both hunters and wildlife.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently purchased the land (divided among three separate parcels) from the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) in April. These parcels, all adjacent to the Riverton Wildlife Area, are now open to the public.

INHF originally purchased the land from three private owners in December 2000 at the DNR's request. INHF is a nonprofit conservation group that protects Iowa's land, water and wildlife.

The area had suffered repeated floods, particularly in 1993 and 1998, so the landowners enrolled it in the Emergency Wetlands Reserve Program. This program, which is administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, helps farmers stop farming land that is subject to severe flooding and restore it to riverine natural area. Due to budget constraints, the DNR could not purchase the land at the time the owners wanted to sell.

"This is a great example of why INHF exists," said Bruce Mountain, INHF Land Projects Director. "The Foundation was able to acquire the land when the DNR didn't have enough funding. Now that public funds are available, the land is open for public use."

Adds Jeff Zimprich, NRCS Area Conservationist, "I think the really neat part of the story is that a federal, state and private group (INHF) all worked together to make it happen. It wouldn't have happened without one of those groups. The partnership together is restoring habitat and helping landowners deal with the floodplain issues they were facing."

The Riverton Wildlife Refuge, originally a 2,720-acre site, is bordered by both branches of the Nishnabotna River. The additions increase its size by 38 percent.

The refuge features woodlands, grasslands, shallow wetlands and uplands. It has long been a favorite stopover for spring and fall migratory waterfowl, including mallards, woodducks, teals and others. The site also has pheasants, quail, a significant breeding population of Bell's Viero and other wildlife.

The additions offer multiple benefits.

"The additions will allow us to restore a larger wetland area for public hunting," said Richard Bishop, Iowa Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Bureau Chief. "Plus there's an increase overall in hunting opportunities for sportsmen in the Riverton area because the refuge has been increased to hold more birds."

The additions also allow the DNR to expand the wildlife refuge portion of the site. The addition will allow the refuge to hold more birds and increase the opportunity for wildlife viewing. Moreover, by expanding the refuge area toward the town of Riverton, the DNR is reducing hunter safety issues near populated areas.

Because expanding the site should draw more hunters and birdwatchers alike to the wildlife area, Bishop said, "The addition should prove to be a boon economically for the Riverton area." It will also periodically assist in flood control.

The restoration to the addition is an ongoing process that the DNR will complete in phases.


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

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