Free Booklet Helps Iowa Landowners Protect Natural Areas

---

Protecting Iowa's precious woodlands, wetlands, prairies and wild places just got a little easier. The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) has updated The Landowner's Options, a free guide to voluntary land protection in Iowa.

The booklet features scenarios and explanations of 18 legal methods of land protection. Landowners who want to permanently protect their natural areas-whether they wish to retain ownership, pass it on to others or create a public area-will find suitable methods of protection. Options range from conservation easements to reserved life estates and are explained in simple language. Many options provide landowners with compensation and/or tax benefits. An online version of the booklet is also available.

"Many Iowa landowners have natural or restored areas on their property; special places they have protected in the past and want to know are protected for the future," Mark Ackelson, INHF president said. "Most readers are surprised and amazed at the options available.

Since it was first published in 1982, more than 15,000 copies of the booklet have been distributed to landowners and the professionals who advise them. The Landowner's Options was partially funded by The Sand County Foundation's Bradley Fund for the Environment and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Other co-sponsors of the booklet include farm managers, conservation organizations and other private funds.

INHF's professional staff is available to confidentially discuss land protection opportunities with landowners. The Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to building partnerships and educating Iowans to protect, preserve and enhance Iowa's natural resources, "for those who follow". INHF has helped hundreds of Iowa landowners voluntarily protect their land since 1979.

For a free copy of The Landowner's Options, contact INHF by mail at 505 Fifth Avenue, Suite #444, Des Moines, IA 50309, by phone at 515/288-1846 or email the foundation.

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