getting started

For many Iowans, the land they own is almost “part of the family,” with its own distinct personality, foibles and subtle charms: that annoying wet spot in the south field, those little flowers that grace the timber each spring, the way sunrise gilds the upper pasture during chores.

Curse it, nurse it, fight it, love it—for years or generations—until letting that land go is like watching a child leave the nest. Will it be cared for? Will it be appreciated and understood? Will all our work, our values, our legacy be continued?

Many families find peace in passing on the land to like-minded relatives or neighbors. Others, lacking an obvious choice, wonder if there is an alternative. There is.

This booklet contains a “toolbox” of methods for permanently protecting your land. You can shape its future. And there are people ready to help you.

Asking “why”
Many landowners first explore conservation because of a threat, such as damage to neighboring properties. Even if your initial motivation is avoiding a negative, identifying your positive motivations for conservation is the first step in choosing the best option for you and your land. These are motivations we’ve heard from other landowners:

•  Personal: Many landowners say they are protecting their land because “it just feels right.” Others mention “peace of mind,” “responsibility to future generations” and “responsibility to the Creator.” Sometimes it’s a personal memory or value: “I learned to love nature by playing in these woods and I want future kids to have that experience.”
• Environmental: Protecting land also protects air and water quality, wildlife habitat, rare native species, scenic views and other conservation resources. But landowners are more likely to call it “the creek where I caught my first fish” or “our prairie remnant.”
• Historic/cultural: Some sites contain remnants of ancient cultures, recent Native American tribes or early farm life. Like natural resources, these historic resources are unique legacies for future generations. A half-hour of bulldozer work, and they are gone forever.
• Family: Many Iowa families value their long tradition of good land stewardship: “My dad and my dad’s dad always said that a good farm has good wildlife habitat, and I want to carry on that legacy.” Conservation protections can create a tangible and highly visible family legacy while keeping agriculture affordable for future generations. 

Exploring “what”
Now that you’ve explored the “big picture” motivations for land protection, ask yourself these “nuts and bolts” questions about your protection goals.

• Do I want to continue to own or use the land during my lifetime?
• Do I want financial compensation for my land?
• Are potential tax savings important to me?
• Do I want to protect all of my property or just part of it?
• Do I want the land to be open to the public as a park or wildlife area?
• Who is best suited to oversee the long-term protection of my land—an individual or conservation group?
• If the latter, which conservation groups are willing and able to do so?

While each question is important, you can select or rule out many options simply by answering the first three. Use our clickable options checklist to find the option that’s right for you.

Finding “who”
Permanent land protection is an important decision that should involve family members and your legal and financial advisors.

You should also contact a conservation partner to get the best sense of your available options and how they fit your personal situation. Conservation partners provide a great deal of information and professional assistance at no cost. Their staffs can discuss the options with you alone and/or with additional family members and your professional advisors.

Deciding “when”
Permanently protecting your land is a major emotional and financial decision that should not be rushed or taken lightly.

However, procrastination can be as risky as haste. Landowners who wait too long have the decision made for them. When an Iowan dies without a will, estate dispersal is determined by the Code of Iowa.

Even when inheritance of the land itself is clear, conservation goals that haven’t been formalized can result in delay, conflict or no protection at all. For example, perhaps some heirs are convinced that Grandpa wanted the woodland protected and thus feel obligated to explore protection avenues. Others just want to sell the land as quickly as possible, divide the proceeds and move on. Maybe Grandpa even talked with a couple of family members about protection. However, nothing was signed and the other heirs are demanding top dollar. What could have been a legacy of land protection becomes a legacy of discord.

The time to act is now.

By reading this book, you’re already on the road to choosing the land protection option that’s best for you. Happy journey!

Choosing “how”
Visit our interactive chart to help you choose which conservation options best visit your goals.

reprinted from Landowner’s Options, © 2007, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation