Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation adds new land to Yellow River Forest

Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation has dedicated the Paint Creek Valley addition to the Yellow River Forest--and two Decorah residents were among the speakers at the ceremony.
 
In February INHF purhcased 368 acres of land in the valley along Paint Creek, adjacent to Yellow River State Forest, nearing Lansing in Allamakee County.

Before purchase, 55 acres of land previously held in CRP was coverted to row crop. Highly erodible fields will be converted to natural habitat as part of INHF's management plan.

More than 50 outdoors enthusiasts attended the dedication on Thursday.  Decorah resident Tom Murray spoke about the value of fishing, other recreational opportunities, and the economic impact on Northeast Iowa.  Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Chuck Gipp, a Decorah native, also was among the speakers.