INHF, DNR to dedicate the James and Patricia Dinsmore tract at Big Wall Lake

By Katie on September 21, 2015 in Blog

You’re invited! Help dedicate a new 130-acre addition to the Big Wall Lake Wildlife Management Area made possible by James and Patricia Dinsmore’s gift to INHF. The dedication will take place at the site at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15. A reception will follow.

James Dinsmore is a published author (A Country So Full of Game) and former Iowa State animal ecology professor. He and his wife sought to make a gift that matched their interest in wildlife and would also protect some of the Iowa landscape James studied for years. The couple found what they were looking for at Big Wall Lake.

Big Wall is a shallow, 978-acre lake along a major flyway for migrating waterfowl. The lake was in danger for many years, but  underwent a major restoration in 2006 to remove carp and increase outflow so in-lake plants could grow. In 2012, the lake was removed from the state’s list of impaired waters.

The added acres will eventually transfer to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and become part of a public complex. The next step is to transfer a 341-acre property on the northwest corner of Big Wall. The Dinsmores also contributed to that project, and INHF is currently working to raise the remaining funds.

Event Details:

When: Thursday, Oct. 15, 3 p.m. Reception to follow.

Where: 2551 300th St., Clarion Iowa

RSVP to Erin Griffin, INHF Events Coordinator, at egriffin@inhf.org or 515-288-1846, ext. 11