New criteria define scenic preserves

Note: This article was first published in the Spring 2005 edition of INHF's quarterly magazine.

Historically “state preserve” status in Iowa has been awarded to areas of ecological, biological, historical or archeological significance. While scenic areas are eligible for preserve status, no state preserves have been designated based solely on their scenic quality.

To support “state preserve” level of protection for Iowa’s most beautiful sites, INHF played a key role in developing recently adopted guidelines. Beginning in July 2003, INHF assembled a team to establish criteria for recognizing sites as scenic preserves. The State Preserves Advisory Board sanctioned the team, and the Iowa DNR provided a grant to partially finance its work.

State preserve designation is only one tool in the “land protection toolbox.” Other methods range from land acquistion to deed restrictions, but preserve status is the highest level of protection that a property can receive. Because “scenic” areas encompass vistas rather than single properties, the committee suggested ways this tool could protect larger scenic landscapes.

The report recommends establishing “Iowa Landscapes of Outstanding Natural Beauty” to support a landscape-scale recognition of Iowa’s best scenic areas. It also outlined criteria to evaluate sites for scenic designation.

“The scenic qualities of the Iowa landscape are even more important to our future if the state is going to commit to tourism, quality of life, the recruitment of former Iowans to return and the creation of new high-level jobs,” the team’s report states.

More information: Study of the Designation of Scenic Preserves in Iowa          

INHF staff members Mark Ackelson, Lisa Hein, Heather Jobst and former intern Liz Nielsen participated on the 13-member team.

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