Easement adjoins major INHF project

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This article first appeared in INHF's Winter 2008 magazine.

“I’m a developer, but I think development is for inside city limits. And the wild should stay wild.”

- Patrick Ryan

Remember that 1,224-acre treasure of bluffs, woodlands, goat prairie and Upper Iowa River corridor that INHF purchased from the Forrest Ryan estate last year? It just got better.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources recently accepted a conservation easement from Patrick Ryan, Forrest’s son, and his wife, Karran. The easement protects 358 acres that adjoin and buffer the land that INHF purchased. It contains timbered bluffs overlooking the Upper Iowa River and Patterson Creek, plus tillable land on the open ridges and river bottom.

The easement was a partial donation, with significant funding from the Forest Legacy Program, which is administered by the Iowa DNR and funded through the U.S. Forest Service. As with other FLP easements, the Ryans maintain private ownership and can still practice forestry and farming under an approved plan. By restricting development rights, they protected the land’s natural and agricultural resources. INHF introduced the Ryans to the Forest Legacy concept and provided significant background support.

“I’m a developer, but I think development is for inside city limits,” Pat said. “And the wild should stay wild.”

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