potential conservation partners
Iowa has many public agencies and private organizations with the qualifications and experience to protect your land in the manner you envision.
Each group has its own mission, areas of responsibility, project criteria, favorite protection options and financial limits. For example, one organization might focus on land containing at-risk species while another prefers land adjoining state parks. One might work statewide while another works within a specific region. Take your time to find a good fit. Services are typically free, confidential and no-obligation.
Private nonprofit organizations
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
505 Fifth Ave., Suite 444
Des Moines, IA 50309-2321
phone: 800-475-1846
e-mail: info@inhf.org
web: www.inhf.org
The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, a member-supported, nonprofit conservation group, is an expert in permanent land protection.
In addition to accepting or arranging land donations and private conservation easements, the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation assists landowners wishing to sell or donate property to public conservation agencies for public use.
Since 1979, this statewide land trust has helped Iowans protect nearly 100,000 acres at more than 600 sites.
INHF staff can also provide information on wetland restoration, sustainable agriculture, water quality protection, land stewardship and other issues important to the permanent protection or enhancement of Iowa land.
The Nature Conservancy
303 Locust Street, Suite 402 Des Moines, IA 50309
phone: 515-244-5044
e-mail: iowa@tnc.org
web: www.nature.org/iowa
The Nature Conservancy is an international nonprofit organization that preserves the diversity of the Earth’s species and natural communities by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.
TNC uses a wide variety of protection options and works with a wide variety of public and private partners. They’ve developed a scientific, systematic planning approach called Conservation by Design.
In Iowa, the Conservancy concentrates on six ecologically important and threatened landscapes: Little Sioux Valley, Loess Hills, Grand River Grasslands, Lower Cedar Valley, Driftless Area and Upper Mississippi River. TNC works with landowners and partners through fee title acquisitions, cooperative purchases, conservation easements and best management practices.
Local Land Trusts
Consult your local phonebook or the Land Trust Alliance
1660 L St. NW, Ste. 1100
Washington DC 20036
phone: 202-638-4725
e-mail: info@lta.org
web: www.lta.org
Local land trusts are private, nonprofit landholding organizations that are established by citizens to protect land in specific towns, counties or regions.
For example, Four Mounds Foundation holds land and an easement on a historic bluffland in Dubuque. The Indian Creek Nature Center holds land and easements in the Cedar Rapids area. The Johnson County Heritage Trust is exploring easement-holding options in their county.
For assistance in finding local land trusts, check the state-by-state list on the national Land Trust Alliance website or contact the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation for referrals.
Pheasants Forever
1783 Buerkle Circle
St Paul, MN 55110
phone: 877-773-2070
e-mail: contact@pheasantsforever.org
web: www.pheasantsforever.org
Pheasants Forever is a non-profit conservation group that enhances wildlife populations through habitat restoration, land acquisition, partnerships with agencies and conservation policy improvement. PF funds public and private land projects through its 104 Iowa chapters. Its Iowa staff of professional biologists and habitat specialists can assist landowners with habitat establishment and management. PF also accepts bequests, planned gifts, and other philanthropic donations through its Habitat Legacy Society. Since 1985 in Iowa, PF has implemented nearly 82,000 habitat projects on over 755,000 acres and has helped agencies purchase 495 public wildlife management areas (adding more than 63,000 acres for hunting and other outdoor recreation).
Federal government agencies
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
USFWS, Iowa Private Lands Office
PO Box 399
Prairie City, IA 50228
phone: 515-994-3400
email: jim_munson@fws.gov
web: www.fws.gov/search/index.html
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service acquires land or conservation easements on sites of sufficient importance to set aside as National Wildlife Refuges.
Priority goes to sites that protect endangered species, are large enough to support significant segments of a biotic population, or are contiguous to property already within the refuge system.
Its Partners for Wildlife and private lands programs can help landowners develop a management plan for their land and may be able to share the costs.
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Iowa NRCS State Office 693
Federal Building 210
Walnut Des Moines, Iowa 50309
phone: 515-284-4769
fax: 515-284-4394
web: www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov/
NRCS (originally called the Soil Conservation Service) helps private landowners conserve their soil, water, and other natural resources. NRCS has local offices in every Iowa county.
In addition to its 70-year history of helping landowners with land management, NRCS administers several permanent land protection programs.
To contact your NRCS office, check the federal government listings of your phone book or contact the state NRCS office for more information.
State government agencies
Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
Wallace State Office Building
502 E. 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
phone: 515-281-5918
e-mail: webmaster@dnr.state.ia.us
web: www.iowadnr.gov
The IDNR administers and protects Iowa’s state-owned natural areas, preserves, waters, land, forests, parks and wildlife.
The agency is interested in land acquisition or conservation easements on sites that have significant natural resources, adjoin or are near publicly owned land, or are critical to watershed protection.
Meanwhile, the agency’s Private Lands department provides assistance and funding to Iowans who want to invest in improved land management.
Office of the State Archaeologist
University of Iowa
700 Clinton Street Building
Iowa City, Iowa 52242
phone: 319-384-0732
web: www.uiowa.edu/~osa/
The Office of the State Archaeologist is an organized research unit of the University of Iowa.
The OSA may hold and manage conservation easements and is available to provide consultation on natural areas in Iowa which contain archaeological sites.
The State Historical Society
New Historical Building
600 East Locust St.
Des Moines, IA 50319
phone: 515-281-6412
web: http://www.iowahistory.org/
The State Historical Society, part of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, is authorized to acquire and hold conservation easements when their purpose includes preservation of “cultural resources.”
In addition to the statewide historical society, your local city or county might have a historical commission, which can also acquire and manage sites. Many local areas also have private historical societies. Check your local phone book or contact the statewide office for referrals.
Local government agencies
County Conservation Boards
Contact your county office (see phone book) OR
Iowa Association of County Conservation Boards
405 SW 3rd St., Suite 1
Ankeny, IA 50023
phone: 515-963-9582
web: http://www.iaccb.com/
All 99 counties in Iowa have county conservation boards. These agencies acquire and manage land for public recreation, assist and educate landowners with conservation management practices and provide many other services.
Local Soil and Water Conservation Districts
Contact your county SWCD office (see phone book) OR
Conservation Districts of Iowa
PO Box 801
1711 Osceola Ave - Suite 205
Chariton, IA 50049
phone: 641-774-4461
web: www.cdiowa.org
Soil and Water Conservation Districts are authorized to acquire by purchase, exchange, lease, gift, grant, bequest, devise or otherwise, any property, real or personal to carry out the conservation purposes of the agency.
Municipalities
Municipalities may acquire land and conservation easements. Municipalities will vary in their level of commitment to land protection, so many landowners opt to partner with a conservation group as well.
reprinted from Landowner’s Options, © 2007, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
