Vincent Bluff project
wins three grants

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This article was written and posted on INHF's website in October 2000.

The Vincent Prairie Bluff project has taken a giant leap forward with recent awards of three public grants supporting the project.

The City of Council Bluffs requested and received a $125,000 grant for the project from the Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) program on October 12. REAP is funded annually by the state legislature. The Vincent project ranked first among six competing REAP requests in the "large cities" category.

Within the past month, Vincent Bluff Reserve also received a $15,000 grant from the Loess Hills Alliance and a $20,000 grant from the Council Bluffs Promotion and Tourism Board of Trustees.

So far more than $500,000 has been pledged to protecting Vincent Prairie Bluff. In order to finish Phase 1 of the project (land purchase and related costs) so that the property is permanently protected, about $30,000 more in private funds is needed.

"We've had great results in raising public funds," said Janice Marcantonio, president of the Loess Hills Preservation Society (LHPS), a project partner. "Now it's time for people in the Council Bluffs region to step up to the plate and make this project a reality. After all, if we can get these last funds raised, Vincent Bluff Preserve will belong to the people."

Once the money is raised and the papers signed, Vincent Prairie Bluff will be owned by the City of Council Bluffs. It will be operated as a non-traditional city park, showcasing an example of the natural Loess Hills ecosystem within the city limits. It will be open to individuals, groups, residents and tourists for hiking, birdwatching and environmental education.

"The amount of state and federal support coming into Council Bluffs for this special piece of bluffland shows what a special resource we have here," said Ronald Hopp of the Council Bluffs Parks and Recreation Department. "This is a rare opportunity to preserve part of this city's natural heritage for future generations."

A project of this scope takes many partners. In addition to the City of Council Bluffs, many other organizations and individuals are involved.

Mildred Vincent, whose family owned the site for about 50 years, dreamed of protecting the bluff's scenery and natural resources-and sought a conservation-minded buyer.

LHPS, a local nonprofit that's dedicated to building the region's economy by improving the management of the world-famous Loess Hills landform, has assisted with landowner negotiations, fundraising and site management.

The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF), a statewide nonprofit group that protects Iowa's land, water and wildlife, has assisted with landowner negotiations and fundraising and is providing interim ownership until all funds are raised.

"The Foundation protects land all over the state, and we've been pleased with how well Council Bluffs folks have embraced this project-through planning, flocking to public hikes, and now financial support," said Mark Ackelson, INHF president. "If area residents close this final funding gap to protect this special place, I believe the region's future generations will treasure and value this site more than we can imagine today."

A local steering committee is spearheading the final drive to raise the remaining funds needed for project completion. Committee members include Mayor Tom Hanafan, Don Bauerly, Mark Doll, Don Gross, Susanne Hickey, Ronald Hopp, Bob Laubenthal, Janice Marcantonio, Eileen Martin, June McMahill, Terry Oswald, Glenn Pollock, Doug Primmer, Nancy Roberts, Tom Schierbrock and Dave Strom.

The 31-acre Vincent Bluff Preserve is located on top of a loess hill near the intersection of Woodbury Avenue and Harry Langdon Blvd., on the southern edge of Council Bluffs. It is one of the few undeveloped blufftops remaining within city limits.

The prominent, west-facing blufftop is clearly visible from both Interstate 80 and Interstate 29. It is also visible from the Loess Hills Scenic Byway, the Western Historic Trails Center and the Wabash Trace Nature Trail. In addition to its scenic values, the bluff contains high-quality prairie remnants and provides wildlife habitat.

People interested in supporting this project can send funds to either the LHPS or INHF. Designated donations to either group will be placed in a special Vincent project fund. The first $5,000 raised will be matched dollar-for-dollar by INHF's Lowell Walker fund. If fundraising exceeds the $30,000 needed to complete land acquisition, extra funds will be applied to the project's next phase: providing better public access to the site, interpretive signage, etc.

For more information or to make a donation, contact LHPS at 712-366-2678 (PO Box 913, Council Bluffs, IA 51502-0913) or contact INHF at 800-475-1846.

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

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