Wheeler Heritage Woods posted and protected

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The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation recently posted a new sign on West Lake Okoboji to mark the protection of Wheeler Heritage Woods, a new wildlife refuge.

Lois Morgan of Spirit Lake donated the 15-acre site to INHF in the name of her parents, Mark and Sybil Wheeler, and grandparents, George and Ella Wheeler.

Morgan requested that the land not be open to the public. So wanted to create a habitat "where the wildlife can rest, not be harassed and chased and hounded."

The land includes 266 feet of shoreline on Brown's Bay in the southeastern portion of West Lake Okoboji that will remain natural and undeveloped. The habitat of mature woodland of maple and basswood trees is important to a wide variety of bird and mammal species.

"I loved the land, and my husband loved it. It was a great life," Morgan added. "I wanted mother, dad and grandpa to have something."

"Opportunities to protect natural shoreline are very rare, and we applaud Lois Morgan's gift and vision," said Mark Ackelson, INHF President. "This kind of commitment to the preservation of natural lands by landowners is critical for water quality and wildlife habitats. Though closed to public use, the refuge provides scenic views, water quality and wildlife benefits for all lake users."

INHF has helped protect many projects in the Okoboji area, including the Spring Run Wetland Complex, Gull Point State Park and the Iowa Great Lakes Trail. For more information on these and other INHF projects, call 800-475-1846 or visit www.inhf.org.

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