decorahnews.com special report: Neste Valley Park is the result of a cooperative effort

The Neste Valley Recreational Area just southwest of Decorah, which is slated to become the first new Winneshiek County park in 21 years, might not have come about if not for a partnership among several organizations.

The former owners of the property--Ingrid Neste, Mary Neste and Michele Stefanick, wanted to sell it.  The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation stepped in to be the interim owner of the property.  INHF Blufflands Director Brian Fankhauser says his agency signed a contract with the three women at the end of 2012.

Once the INHF owned the property, Winneshiek County Conservation could have some time to raise the money needed to repay INHF.  So far money has been raised through the Winneshiek County Pheasants Forever organization, the state's REAP program and from fundraising done by County Conservation itself.  Around $400,000 remains to be raised to pay for the pourchase and improvements.

The Winneshiek County Conservation Board has agreed to pay back INHF within five years from the purchase.

Fankhauser says having the INHF step in to handle the interim purchase was a great way of saving property that has "so much potential."  His agency has been active in a number of projects in NE Iowa.  Fankhauser says the Neste Valley Recreational Area purchase was the perfect blend of protecting valuable property and converting agricultural land to park use.

Our special report concludes next with a feel for what makes the Neste Valley property special.

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