INHF: Couple's bequest will benfit all Iowans

This article was written and released in 2009.

As LaVonne and Jim Rippentrop of Runnells prepared their will, they knew they wanted to do something for Iowa’s land and wildlife. After consulting with their attorney, Ed Skinner, the couple chose to bequeath a large portion of their estate to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF). This nonprofit conservation group has protected and restored more than 105,000 acres of Iowa’s natural areas.

Following Jim’s passing in 2007 and LaVonne’s in 2008, their estate was recently closed. INHF divided this generous bequest into two restricted funds as directed by the couple’s will: half for preservation and conservation of the Loess Hills of western Iowa and half for conservation purposes in central Iowa.

According to Mark Ackelson, INHF president, the Foundation will direct the central Iowa funds to protecting and restoring wetlands and other wildlife habitats. Similar INHF projects in recent years include significant additions to the Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt in Polk and Jasper counties, to Colo Bogs in Story Count, to Kuehn Conservation Area in Dallas County and a pending addition to the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Jasper County.

The Loess Hills portion of the bequest will support a variety of projects, Ackelson added. INHF has been using an earlier bequest by Mildred Acklin of Sioux City to help secure private conservation easements in the Loess Hills Special Landscape Area, and the new bequest could help INHF expand this effort. With conservation easements, landowners maintain private ownership and use while permanently protecting their land’s natural values.

“We’re honored to memorialize this Iowa couple by protecting our state’ natural resources for today and future generations,” said Ackelson.

For more information about planned gift options, visit www.inhf.org/plannedgifts.htm.

INHF is a nonprofit, conservation group that works with private landowners and other partners to protect Iowa's land, water and wildlife. Past INHF projects in Monona County include the Badger Lake Complex and Loess Hills WMA additions.

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

Couple's bequest will benefit all Iowans