Fundraising goal reached for
Faulkes Heritage Woods

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This article was written and posted on INHF's website in March 1999. 

Thanks to an outpouring of public support and hundreds of donations, a public park called Faulkes Heritage Woods is another step closer to reality.

On April 22, 1998 (Earth Day), the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) launched a campaign to raise $256,000 before July 31, 1999. The goal has just been reached—over four months ahead of schedule.

The 110-acre woods, located on the Cedar Rapids/Marion border, is now owned by Cynthia Thompson, Elizabeth Barry and Alice Smith, all of Cedar Rapids, and Nancy Thompson of New York City. The owners agreed to donate two-thirds of the land’s value, and the rest was raised through donations and a state REAP grant.

"Many people in Linn County told us they would like to be sure this incredible natural area withstands the constant threat of development and always remains a woodland," said Mark Ackelson, INHF President. "Their overwhelming response to the fundraising campaign shows that they both said it and meant it!"

Now that the money is raised, INHF is completing legal work to purchase the property, also known as the 30th Street Woods. INHF is a non-profit, member-supported organization that protects, preserves and enhances Iowa’s natural resources for future generations.

Once the land is purchased, INHF will place a conservation easement on the property to permanently restrict the uses of the land. The easement gives INHF the power and responsibility to monitor and protect the land from clearing and development, regardless of its future owner.

Then the restricted property will be added to the City of Marion’s park system, not as a typical park but as a woodland with environmental education activities and hiking allowed. A dedication will be held later this year, after the land is transferred to the city of Marion.

"The city is ecstatic that the Foundation has reached the fundraising goal," said Rich Fox, Parks and Recreation Director for the city of Marion. "We appreciate all the hard work of INHF."

Donations included hundreds of individual gifts and several large corporate grants. The following individuals recently contributed major gifts: Jack and Jackie Roland, Alice and Tom Wilkinson, Colleen and Jim McKinstry, and Shirley A. Klug in memory of her husband Ken.

Other recent major gifts came from Farmers State Bank in Marion, Alliant Energy Foundation, United Fire Group, General Mills Foundation, the Cedar Rapids Paper Company, the Smulekoff-Lipsky Fund, and Trees Forever.

Kirkwood College students and volunteers who organize the Iowa Wildlife and Nature in Art Show and Sale (to be held March 27-28 in Cedar Rapids) have also pledged a major gift.

The woodland lies along Indian Creek south of the Marion Bypass and east of Tama Street. It’s an exceptionally diverse, high quality woodland—unusual in an urban setting. A survey conducted in 1984, revealed 15 different mammal species, 37 breeding birds and 344 different plant species.

Previously in the Cedar Rapids area, the Foundation helped to establish the Cedar Valley Nature Trail, Cedar River Greenbelt, Hoover Nature Trail, and a recent addition to Morgan Creek Park.

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

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