Protecting a remnant-rich valley
This article was featured in INHF Fall 2011 magazine and updated December 2011.

The name Fen Valley sounds as magical as Shangri-la, and that’s where you’ll discover our latest diamond in the rough!

On a quiet tributary of the Little Sioux River, Fen Valley Wildlife Management Area in Clay County is Iowa's second-largest complex of rare fen wetlands. If you visit there and look to the north, you'll see remnants of Iowa's native prairie heritage. The land has been pastured hard, but it's never been cultivated, and it shows great potential of reviving into a lush prairie with some tender loving care. Experts have also found indications of small remnant "seeps," or fen-like wetlands hidden in the hills.

“I was surprised to find marsh marigolds—lots of them, down by the creek!” recalls Heather Jobst, INHF Land Projects Director, of her first visit to the addition this spring. “My first thought was, Oh my gosh, this is cool!”

Heather was investigating because the addition was scheduled to be auctioned, and we had been alerted that it “belongs with” the Fen Valley public wildlife area.

We agreed.

It also belongs with other natural lands along Elk Creek, including a site one mile upstream that The Nature Conservancy purchased recently for permanent protection. Together, these lands create very important habitat even as they help protect water quality in Elk Creek and the Little Sioux River.

To gain the opportunity to protect this land, we had to purchase the entire offering at auction. We've sold the cropland on the outer edge. Now we'll protect the remaining 115 acres: most of it now natural, plus some small cropped areas that will be planted to local prairie seed.

Public conservation funds will cover about 80 percent of the project costs. After the remaining 20 percent are raised and restoration begins, the land will transfer to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for further restoration and public enjoyment (see sidebar).

For years to come, this will be a destination for bird-watching, hiking, hunting, trapping, cross-country skiing and photography.