Ringneck Ridge goes public

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This article appeared in INHF's Summer 2005 magazine.

The Dubuque County Conservation Board has taken possession of the 160-acre Ringneck Ridge site near Worthington. The Dubuque County Chapter of Pheasants Forever (PF) worked with INHF to purchase Ringneck Ridge from Dave Engler in 1995. Most of the $160,000 purchase price was provided by PF and an Iowa DNR Wildlife Habitat Stamp Fund Grant.

Since that time, PF has worked extensively to restore prairie habitat on the site by reintroducing native grasses and planting prairie-compatible trees. This has resulted in a large increase in the number of pheasants and other wildlife on the site. Ringneck Ridge is one of only a handful of sites held by Dubuque County Conservation Board that is open for public hunting. The land is also open for low-impact recreation like hiking and nature watching.

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