Landscape-scale Protection

Three hundred and fifty-six acres of mixed habitat rich with diversity lies along the Chariton River in southern Lucas County. Flanked by public land and bisected by the river, this privately-owned parcel was a vestige in a 12-mile greenbelt of protected land between the City of Chariton and the upper end of Lake Rathbun. 

The property, which consists of grassland, a restored wetland, riparian and upland woodland, old river oxbows and restorable cropland, was a missing puzzle piece in creating the largest wildlife corridor in Lucas County outside of Stephens State Forest. Its wetland acres provide excellent habitat for waterfowl, muskrat, mink, otter, amphibians and reptiles. Approximately nine acres appear to be remnant prairie with relatively intact soils and indicator species such as slender mountain mint, ironweed and butterfly milkweed. Old bur oaks and young shagbark hickories provide food and shelter for a multitude of Iowa’s resident and migratory birds and bats. Transitional areas between the grassland and woodland offer critical habitat for struggling wildlife dependent on oak savannas. 

“It is one of those rare parcels that can provide for a generous number of species because of the diverse ecosystems within its boundary,” said Ross Baxter, INHF’s Senior Land Protection Director and Counsel. 

Long on the radar of conservation organizations, a once in a lifetime chance to protect this property came about when INHF was approached by a local broker in 2021. 

A leap of faith

In addition to safeguarding existing natural resources, permanently protecting this area would provide major water quality benefits downstream. The Chariton River meanders along its western and southern boundary and feeds Lake Rathbun, which is the water supply for 18 counties in Iowa and Missouri, serving a population of more than 80,000 people. Water quality issues plaguing Lake Rathbun include high phosphorus levels that contribute to algal blooms and high sediment loads that impact water clarity, both primarily from agricultural or nonpoint sources that contribute to erosion and increased runoff into the river. The majority of the property is in the two-year and the ten-year floodplain, meaning it has a 10-50% chance of flooding every year. Ensuring this land stayed in perennial vegetation made it better equipped to handle large rain events, preserving soil integrity and filtering nutrients otherwise destined for the lake. 

Canoeing, kayaking, birdwatching, fishing, hunting, hiking, orienteering, snowshoeing… most any nature activity would be possible. And the game was abundant and diverse — quail, ducks, pheasants, deer, turkey and more. Protection of this area could positively impact the local economy, as hunting and target shooting in Iowa annually generates $977 million in economic activities and $72 million in state and local tax income. 

The potential of its varied natural features was huge. A handful of grants could eventually provide needed funding, but that would take time and there was no guarantee; many other worthy conservation projects across the state would also be vying for those limited dollars.

Ross Baxter remembers weighing the options: “Despite the unanswered questions, protecting this parcel was an obvious decision.” 

With an unclear path forward but a possibility too important to pass up, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation purchased the land and began working on securing its future as an area protected for its natural resource value and open to the public.

Rejuvenation

While the rest of the plan fell into place, attention shifted to habitat enhancement. A cooperative agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) provided funding for grassland restoration. Woody trees and shrubs encroaching the grassland areas were removed, and the highly erodible cropland was planted with a 70+ species mix with a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. While the prairie reconstruction emphasized increasing milkweed for monarchs, the perennial vegetation benefited all wildlife and curtailed the land’s contribution of sediment and phosphorus to the Chariton River. 

Maintenance mowings on the reconstructed prairie were graciously handled by the local tenant who previously farmed that ground.Resources were also allocated to restoring the wetland’s berm to ensure it remains intact for the benefit of numerous aquatic species, including Blanding’s turtles — a turtle species observed onsite and listed as threatened in Iowa.

Making financial sense

In the years that followed, recreational land saw a dramatic increase in demand and value. Purchase by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources at fair market value would now carry a pricetag far beyond the original purchase price. Recognizing that, INHF chose to instead gift 103 acres outright and sell the balance below fair market value, resulting in a gift value of almost $1 million to IDNR. Passing on these savings waived the need to find additional matching funds and freed up conservation dollars for other protection projects around the state.

“This project holds special meaning to me,” remarks Ed Cox, INHF Board member and local resident. “It reflects INHF’s deep commitment to conservation that goes beyond a single transaction — it promotes the long-term protection of a key greenway along the Chariton River providing not only conservation of the plants and wildlife on the property but also the water quality of the river and Lake Rathbun. None of this happens without donor support, and I’m very happy to see such support translated directly into permanent protection of land, wildlife and water quality here at home.”

With the financial gap no longer a barrier, the parcel transferred to the IDNR in late 2025. 

Looking ahead

Now, a large unbroken chain of protected land stretches across Lucas and Appanoose counties. The IDNR is continuing habitat restoration at the Chariton River Greenbelt Addition, which has already opened for public use.

“One of the most rewarding things about this addition is the connectivity it provides to the other public areas that border it,” explains Heath Van Waus, a wildlife biologist with the IDNR charged with stewarding the addition. “A person can now walk from the City of Chariton to the Lake Rathbun dam without stepping on private ground.” 

The same is true for wildlife. With the promise of natural wonders, local residents and visitors are sure to enjoy this expanded southern Iowa treasure trove.