Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation: 'Old Baldy' Easement Offers Place for Bald Eagles to Soar

At first glance, “Old Baldy” is just a hill.

But to Mike and Linda Rickert and Connie Jo Ayer, this hill overlooking the Upper Iowa River is so much more. It’s a place where bald eagles soar at the same level as onlookers and where ladies’ tresses still grow wild on the native prairie remnant.

They knew they had to protect it.

The Rickerts and Ayer own 260 acres of land about 11 miles northwest of Waukon in Allamakee County. Its rich landscape contains diverse timber—including red oak, white oak, black oak and hickory—along with native prairie and one-half mile of Upper Iowa River frontage.

“We didn’t want anyone to build any kind of a dwelling or mansion or even a cabin that would destroy the natural wilderness,” Mike said. “It was just a matter of time before someone did that.”

After reading in INHF’s magazine about other landowners who had donated conservation easements, Mike contacted our staff. Mike, Linda and Connie Jo then gifted the easement to INHF — and received peace of mind that future generations can stand on Old Baldy and watch eagles fly alongside them.

“Preserving this property was one of the most important things I could do in my estate planning,” Mike said. “This is the one thing I know will always stay the same.”

Mike bought the land in 1975 with Connie Jo’s husband, John Ayer. Though John passed away in 1981, Connie Jo said it never entered her mind to sell the land.

“It was a vision that John and Mike had together ... It was going to be preserved,” Connie Jo said. She believes the land protection agreement is a legacy to her and John’s three children, now adults. “We’re very pleased that we have made this commitment. It makes us feel at peace. We know the land is going to be protected, as it should be,” she said.

Easements allow landowners to maintain most of their ownership rights. However, the contract places restrictions on the land’s use — now and in the future. This particular easement prohibits buildings but retains current agricultural practices and allows responsible logging.

“The conservation easement does not affect our enjoyment of the land or our income from the land,” Mike said.

“Even though the land itself remains in private ownership, the easement’s benefits extend beyond the property boundaries,” said Joe McGovern, INHF’s land stewardship program director. “Their donation helps protect the Upper Iowa River’s scenery, water quality and native wildlife habitat.”

Easement fulfills 'vision' of two families