Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation is protecting over 5,000 acres of land in Winneshiek County

(Left to right): Decorah Lions Club President Karl Jacobsen thanks Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation Bluffland Program Manager Brian Fankhauser for his presentation

Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation Bluffland Program Manager Brian Fankhauser says his agency is protecting over 130,000 acres in Iowa and 5,274 acres in Winneshiek County—most of them along the Upper Iowa River.

Fankhauser spoke recently to the Decorah Lions Club.  He told the group the INHF's goal is protecting and restoring Iowa's land, water and wildlife "for those who follow."  This is accomplished by partnering with government, private landowners and non-profit organizations.
 
Land under private easements is not open for public use, but still provides public benefits, including natural scenery, water quality and wildlife habitat.

The INHF pays property tax on most land it owns, even though it is not always required to do so as a non-profit.

Fankhauser and his family have recently moved to Decorah.