Gift to Iowa's Future Day 2026
Posted on March 30, 2026 at 10:35 AM by Erica Place
In 2025, INHF was fortunate enough to work with 22 individuals, families and organizations who chose to permanently protect the land they cherish by donating land, land value or conservation easements. Through their generosity, 2,247 acres across 15 counties will forever remain natural spaces, offering respite to Iowa’s wildlife and plants or providing places for Iowans to connect with nature.
They were recognized at a ceremony at the Iowa State Capitol on March 24. Learn more about the landowners that donated to INHF over the last year below:
John L. Pascal, Jr. & Sally J. Pascal
Pocahontas County
John Pascal, Jr. and Sally Pascal donated 10 acres of mixed habitat south of Pocahontas to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The property, along with an adjacent 11 acres donated by Gail Ewan, has since transferred to Pocahontas County Conservation to serve as a public recreation area crucial for wildlife habitat.
Fork Creek Farms, LLC & Richard C. Rastetter, Jr.
Pocahontas County
Fork Creek Farms, LLC and Richard Rastetter donated 52 acres of open space and perennial vegetation near Rolfe in Pocahontas County to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. Divided by the North Branch of Lizard Creek, prairie restoration at this site will provide water quality benefits and habitat for feeding, resting and nesting for migrating birds and other species. Protection and restoration of this property was a long-term goal of Rich before he passed away in 2023, and his family was happy to make sure his dream was achieved last year.
Todd Douglas Phillips and Barbara Taylor Phillips
Wapello County
Todd and Barbara Phillips donated a portion of the value of 17 acres adjacent to Garrison Rock Resource Management Area near Ottumwa to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. Protection of this area, which has since transferred to Wapello County Conservation, prevents development along the wildlife area boundary and enhances public access. Future prairie restoration will benefit the adjacent Des Moines River corridor.
Richard W. Metcalf & Robert D. Metcalf
Hamilton County
Richard and Robert Metcalf donated a portion of the value of 112 acres along the Boone River near Woolstock to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The land lies adjacent to 89 acres previously donated by the Metcalfs, and will transfer to Hamilton County Conservation. Protection of this site provides the opportunity for prairie restoration with important water quality benefits and outdoor recreation possibilities.
Marily and Bob Caddy
Monona County
Marily and Bob Caddy donated a conservation easement on 53 acres of remnant and reconstructed prairie and oak woodland in the Loess Hills to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The property has been a retreat and reunion site for the Anderson-Caddy family for decades, and the Caddys have put significant work into native habitat restoration. The conservation easement ensures it will remain in its natural state for future generations.
Marcia Buresh
Pottawattamie County
Marcia Buresh donated a conservation easement on and title to 280 acres of mixed habitat near Crescent to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. Marcia wanted to permanently protect the remnant prairie, diverse bur oak woodland and Cresent Creek, which flows through the property’s southern portion. A history of organic and sustainable farming practices has improved wildlife habitat and will support ongoing ecological restoration efforts, and the site will serve to help INHF’s land stewardship efforts throughout the Loess Hills.
Rob and Susan Fleming
Warren County
Rob and Susan Fleming donated a portion of the value of 117 acres known as Danamere Farms near Carlisle to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The site contains reconstructed prairie and woodland, a pond, an important regional trail connection, community gardens and countless educational opportunities. Just outside the Des Moines metro, this land provides significant urban outreach opportunities and the possibility to grow community engagement through programs and relationships put in place by the Flemings.
Janice Niemann
Pottawattamie County
Janice Niemann donated seven acres of remnant tallgrass prairie near Underwood to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. Its permanent protection provides refuge for wildlife in an area with little native habitat. Prairie seed collected from this site will be used to expand and restore other regional prairies.
Robert Chisman
Wapello County
Robert Chisman donated a conservation easement on 67 acres of varied wildlife habitat near Blakesburg to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The property includes woodlands, perennial vegetation, a stream and reconstructed wetlands. Protection of this site limits future development and other land uses that would compromise its value as open space. Robert also donated a conservation easement on 38 acres in Monroe County in 2017.
Karl and Elizabeth Kahler
Johnson County
Karl and Elizabeth Kahler donated a portion of the value of 32 acres near Iowa City to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The site includes prairie, oak savanna, constructed wetland and riparian woodlands adjacent to 80 acres that the Kahlers previously donated to INHF. Protection ensures continued wildlife habitat and water quality benefits and expands the area that INHF uses for many volunteer and educational events.
Bokelman Family Farm Trust
Cerro Gordo County
The Bokelman Family Farm Trust donated a portion of the value of a conservation easement on a high-quality 57-acre remnant prairie near Clear Lake to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The prairie features nodding lady’s tresses, Indian paint brush, Bobolinks and other sensitive plant and animal species. An uncommonly large parcel of unplowed ground in the prairie pothole region, protection ensures continued habitat for many migratory bird species and imperiled insects while benefitting the water quality of the greater Clear Lake watershed.
Eric A. Roberts and R. Stephen Prime
Harrison County
Eric Roberts and Stephen Prime donated 10 acres of Loess Hills remnant prairie in Missouri Valley to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The property has since transferred to Harrison County Conservation, which stewards the Hoary puccoon, ground plum, lead plant and other conservative prairie species that dot the hillsides. The property’s proximity to a population base offers potential recreational opportunities such as hiking, birding, picnicking and more.
Judith Bechtum
Mitchell County
Judith Bechtum donated 160 acres west of Riceville known as Bechtum’s Oakwood Farm to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation subject to a reserved life estate. The land features restored prairie, oak woodland, agricultural land and a section of Beaver Creek and hosts species such as Barred Owl, Dickcissel and Red-headed Woodpecker. Protection of this site makes permanent the Bechtum’s efforts to create and maintain wildlife habitat and to improve the quality of water leaving this land.
Morse Family
Iowa County
Alice Morse Atkinson, Daniel Henry Morse and Shami Lucena Morse donated a conservation easement on 204 acres of mixed habitat west of Williamsburg to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The site holds potential for wetland and prairie restoration which will benefit a variety of eastern Iowa wildlife and plant species, and protection will preserve its value as open space.
James and Miriam Sawtelle
Franklin County
James and Miriam Sawtelle donated a portion of the value of 287 acres along the Iowa River adjacent to Whitetail Flats WMA to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. Riparian woodland and oxbows offer habitat for a variety of amphibian and reptile species. Protecting this floodplain ensures it will remain in perennial vegetation and continue to benefit water quality and mitigate flooding impacts to those downstream.
Jane Dohrmann, W. Thomas Dohrmann and Ann L. Dohrmann
Franklin County
Jane, Thomas and Ann Dohrmann donated 23 acres of mixed habitat near Sheffield to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The site includes perennial vegetation and a small stream containing many small fish. Protection and restoration will benefit water quality and enhance usability for wildlife and people.
Alan Henderson
Davis County
Alan Henderson donated 80 acres of agricultural land near Milton to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The donation of the farm protects open space and the site’s longstanding agricultural heritage and will provide ongoing support for INHF’s mission.
Mike DeCook
Marion County
Mike DeCook donated a conservation easement on 91 acres near Marysville to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The property consists of mature woodland and restored prairie, with Cedar Creek running along one edge. The DeCook family, including Mike’s brother Dan and Mike’s parents Mark and Kay, have protected more than 3,000 acres in Lucas, Marion and Monroe counties through 8 conservation easements since 2011. The family’s vision is to re-wild the landscape, protect natural, diverse and agricultural systems, and preserve open space.
Renate K. Harker
Sac County
Renate Harker bequeathed 20 acres of mixed habitat near Sac City to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. Prairie restoration will enhance existing wildlife habitat, reduce erosion and promote water infiltration in the North Raccoon River watershed.
