Protecting Habitat in the Loess Hills

Just across the street from Stone State Park in Plymouth County, INHF has completed a conservation easement on 59 acres of wildlife habitat and open space owned by Ruth Rose and Luis Lebredo. The private property, which contains grassland, oak savanna and patches of remnant prairie, adds to a growing complex of protected land in the area.

Located within the Loess Hills landform and the Plymouth South Special Landscape Area, the property provides excellent wildlife habitat for birds, pollinators and reptiles and is a high priority area for protection in the state. Sioux City city limits border the property to the south. The conservation easement, a voluntary permanent protection agreement, will ensure that development pressure won’t impact the scenic space and habitat on the property.

“We were excited to work with Ruth and Luis to protect this important piece of the Loess Hills landscape,” said Erin Van Waus, INHF conservation easement director. “With Stone State Park, Mt. Talbot State Preserve and another INHF-held easement nearby, we’re seeing a great progression for habitat protection just outside a major Iowa city.”