Winneshiek County receives grant to purchase 45 acres that will be a key part of the Dry Run Trail

Posted: Wed, Oct 17, 2018 10:39 AM

Winneshiek County Conservation, with assistance from Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation and Development, has received funding from the statewide Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) program to acquire a 45-acre parcel of land southwest of Decorah.

The property, currently known as the Dry Run Greenbelt, provides diverse habitat for threatened and endangered species and contains limestone outcroppings, native woodlands, oak savannas, and prairie remnants. It is adjacent to and contains a half-mile buffer for Dry Run Creek.

"We are thrilled to be working with the landowner on this acquisition and are grateful to the REAP board for recognizing the importance of protecting this unique property," says Winneshiek County Conservation Executive Director Barbara Schroeder.

The parcel will be a central part of the Dry Run Trail, an 8-mile trail under development that will connect the Trout Run Trail in Decorah to the Prairie Farmer Recreational Trail that runs between Calmar and Cresco. When Dry Run Trail is completed there will be 40 miles of connected paved trails in Winneshiek County.

The Dry Run Greenbelt is under purchase agreement and is not yet open to the public as Winneshiek County Conservation works to prepare it for public use.