Protecting the natural shoreline at East Okoboji Lake
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) has exercised their option to purchase 50 acres on the shores of East Okoboji Lake in Dickinson County and will close in December 2021. Hundreds of people pitched in by donating or pledging to help INHF purchase the property.
Fundraising Progress: As of Sept. 6, 2021, 100% of the necessary $8.2 million has been pledged!
The property includes 2,020 feet of natural shoreline - the last remaining undeveloped, private-owned stretch of shoreline on East Okoboji Lake - set against open grassland and mature trees. Protecting this land will alleviate development pressure from the area, buffer Elinor Bedell State Park and preserve the scenic beauty and natural character of the lake while helping to improve water quality and wildlife habitat.
Management and Restoration:
INHF will own, restore and steward the property's prairie and oak savanna. There will likely be low-impact public use, but the land will primarily be managed to maintain wildlife habitat and protect water quality. INHF will work with Dickinson County Conservation to place a conservation easement on the property, which will protect the land in its natural state in perpetuity.
Pay your pledge
If you pledged to this project, click here to make a payment.
Prefer to pay by check?
Make your check out to "INHF" with "East Lake pledge payment" in the memo line and send to:
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
505 5th Ave, Ste 444
Des Moines, IA 50309
More progress nearby
INHF is also protecting and restoring 208 acres in and around the Iowa Great Lakes. Learn more about these projects: