Landowners and INHF Recognized at Capitol
for
2009 Land Gifts
This information was updated March 25, 2010.
In all, 37 individuals, families and businesses, along with the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, were honored March 24, 2010, at a reception at the State Capitol. Richard Leopold, Director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, spoke and presented certificates, and legislators were on hand to express their appreciation. The event is held annually as a result of a law passed in 2008 to express appreciation for voluntary land protection.
The gifts represented different types and levels of land conservation donations across the state. The landowners, businesses and organizations protected about 5,700 acres valued at more than $5 million.
See links to additional information, below. Pictured here are landowners who attended Gift to Iowa's Future Recognition Day. Names with short descriptions of other landowners and projects who were not able to participate are listed at the bottom of this page.
Photos on this page by INHF Communication Intern Danny Akright.
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Loess Hill Landowners
Pictured here, from left, are: Mark C. Ackelson, President of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, with Landowners Jeffrey and Deanna Shupe, Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Richard Leopold, Landowner Jane Madsen, Landowners Maurice and Marilyn Byers, and Iowa State Senator Steve Warnstadt. The Shupes, Madsens and Byers were among a group of Loess Hills neighbors who were honored March 24 at this year’s Gift to Iowa’s Future event at the State Capitol. |
The Arnold E. Bruggeman Residuary Trust,
Jones County –
Bargain Sale
Thanks to the Bruggemans, key portions of riparian corridor along the Maquoketa River will be preserved. This family property includes scenic rolling woodland studded with limestone outcrops covered by a carpet of spring ephemerals, through which a mile-and-a-half of the Maquoketa River courses.
Link to story here.
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Pictured here are David J. Bruggeman and Arnold (Andy) E. Bruggeman III with Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Richard Leopold. David and Andy represented additional family members who were not able to attend.
Below are pictured the late Agnes and Arnold Bruggeman, formerly of the Dubuque area.
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Maurice and Marilyn Byers,
Grant Center Special Landscape Area in Woodbury County-
Conservation Easement Bargain Sale
Marilyn and Maurice Byers are protecting 36 acres where Marilyn grew up and where they have spent their life farming. The site includes a portion of Sugarloaf Hill, a local landmark. Marilyn remembers being fascinated as a kid when she read about the Loess Hills in a newspaper clipping her mother showed her. The Byers have been working on restoration of some of the remnant prairies, trying to bring back wildflowers that Marilyn remembers as a kid.
Link to story and picture here. |
Pictured here, from left, are Marilyn and Maurice Byers, of rural Smithland, with Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Richard Leopold. |
The Family of Raymond and Edythe Jennett
Jennett Heritage Area, Story County -
Bargain Sale
This 171-acre site that the Jennett Family is helping to permanently protect includes two stream segments, riparian woodland, two ponds and pastureland. More than 55 native plant species have already been identified on the property.
Link to story here.
To help complete this project, read more. |
Pictured here is John Jennett with Senator Herman C. Quirmbach of Ames. Mr. Jennett represented the Raymond and Edythe Jennett Family, formerly of Nevada. |
Robert and Jane Madsen, Grant Center Special Landscape Area in Monona County –
Conservation Easement Bargain Sale
This easement permanently protects land owned by the family for about a century, conserving both its native species and working farmland. The scenic property includes a 65-acre high quality remnant prairie that Bob and Jane have been tending for years, which supports unique plants and butterfly species.
Link to story here. |
Robert and Jane Madsen of rural Hornick are pictured here on their Loess Hills land. |
Sandy and Betty Moffett,
Poweshiek County –
Conservation Easement Donation
The Moffetts donated a conservation easement of 130 acres. In addition to new native prairie plantings, the Moffett easement includes prairie remnants and restored wetlands. Their easement is especially notable for the extensive restoration and protection work that the Moffetts have done. With the extensive natural area the Moffetts have protected and created, they are ensuring the continuance of native species in an area with very little natural land and habitat.
Link to story here. |
Pictured here are: State Sen. Tom Rielly with Landowners Betty and Sandy Moffett of Grinnell, who were honored March 24 at this year’s Gift to Iowa’s Future event at the State Capitol. |
Paulette and Ed Reveiz,
Hamilton County –
Bargain Sale
Dr. Ed and Paulette Reveiz made a generous bargain sale of 200 acres that includes diverse oak woodland and remnant prairie along a quarter-mile of the Boone River, a designated state Protected Water Area. The land helps connect two sections of the Boone Forks Wildlife Management Area near Webster City. By helping to permanently protecting this land, the Reveiz Family has made a lasting contribution to protect healthy woodland habitat and water quality in the state.
Link to story here. |
Pictured here is Iowa Department of Natural Resources Land and Waters Bureau Chief Travis Baker presenting a certificate of appreciation to Dr. Ed and Paulette Reveiz, of Des Moines, and daughters Karime (on the left) and Maria. |
Jeffery and Deanna Shupe,
Grant Center Special Landscape Area in Woodbury County –
Conservation Easement Bargain Sale
Jeffery and Deanna treasure their Loess Hills land, often inviting friends to hike the hills and ridges with them. When they had the opportunity to protect their property permanently, they enrolled 65 acres in a conservation easement. Now, the land’s remnant prairie and oak woodland will be preserved. Jeffery plans to pass the land down to his children, ensuring not only the land’s protection, but their family’s enjoyment as well.
Link to their story here. |
Pictured here, from left, are Deanna and Jeffrey Shupe of rural Mapleton, with Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Richard Leopold. |
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Pictured here are Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation President Mark C. Ackelson and Board Chair Carole Reichardt with Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Richard Leopold. The Foundation was honored at this year’s Gift to Iowa’s Future event for the organization's outstanding efforts in land conservation. In 2009, INHF partnered with the DNR on seven completed land acquisiton projects that protected over 450 acres for public use.
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Other INHF Landowners Honored in 2009
Congratulations and thank you to all who were honored at the Iowa Capitol on March 24 for these special gifts to Iowa's future. Unfortunately, not all were able to attend the ceremony. Landowners who were honored for projects that involved INHF and who were not present included:
Anonymous land donor of Fort Dodge, for Soldier Creek Nature Trail, Webster County - .57 acres, Full fee title donation
Charles and Judi Bromander of Smithland, for Grant Center SLA, 56 acres, Conservation easement bargain sale
Bryan and Carmen Iwen of Algoma, Wisconsin, Allamakee County, 359 acres, Conservation easement donation
Martha Christensen of Madison, Wisconsin, Cedar County, 60 acres, Full fee title donation
John and Diane Eveland of Waterloo, for Hickory Ridge Wilderness Area, Marion County, 47 acres, Bargain Sale
Dr JH Gardner of Buffalo, Boone County - 80 acres, Full fee title donation
Heartland Coop, for JewEllsworth Trail, Hamilton County, 2.15 acres, Full fee title donation
Cindy Hildebrand and Roger Maddux of Ames, Story County, 54.2 acres, Conservation easement donation
Donald Piche of Maple Grove, Minnesota, Allamakee County, 57 acres, Conservation easement doantion
Prairie Land of Hubbard – Rick Vaughn, for JewEllsworth Trail, Hamilton County, 3.02 acres, Full fee title donation
Michael and Janet Sibenaller of Sloan, for Grant Center SLA, 38 acres, Conservation easement bargain sale
Clifford and Mary Steinhoff of Hornick, for Grant Center SLA, 118 acres, Conservation easement bargain sale
Superior to Allendorf/Iowa Northwest Railroad, for Superior-Allendorf Trail, Dickinson County, Bargain sale
Dale, Andrew and Richard Swanson of Nevada, Story County, 25 acres, Conservation easement donation
Mark and Kay Till of Smithland, for Grant Center SLA, 6 acres, Conservation easement bargain sale
Union Pacific of Omaha, Nebraska – Rick Harris, for JewEllsworth Trail, 33.68 acres, Bargain sale
Andrea and Lee Venteicher of Waukon, Allamakee County, 77 acres, Conservation easement donation
Evelyn Vulgamott of Ames, for JewEllsworth Trail, 2.59 acres, Bargain sale
Thomas Worrell of Smithland, for Grant Center SLA, 58 acres, Conservation easement bargain sale
Other Landowners Honored in 2009
Timothy A. and Laura J. Derga of Farley, Jackson County
Larry and Carol Farmer of Westfield, Plymouth County
The Garst Family of Coon Rapids, for Whiterock Conservacy, Guthrie and Carroll counties, 2,444 acres, Land donation
Kesler's Otter Creek Farm of Memphis, Tennesee, for Otter Creek Natural Area, Linn County, 37 acres, Land donation
Will E. Ogle of Marion, Fayette County
Eliot and Barbara Protsch of Cedar Rapids, for Wapsipinicon River Easement, Linn County, 120 acres, Conservation easement donation
Joseph C. and Janice C. Reutter of Ames, Boone County, 75 acres, Conservation easement
Leonard and Sabina Sporrer Estate, Carroll County, 8 acres, Land donation
Grandchildren of Gary Vermeer of Pella, for Skunk River "Woody Place," Jasper County, 257 acres, Conservation easement donation
Nels and JoAnn Wehner of Independence, Buchanan County, 30 acres, Bargain sale
Mikel L. Yauk of Wadena, Fayette County
For more information, e-mail Ann Robinson at INHF or call 515-288-1846.
