Conservation History

1978

March 28

Johnson County Heritage Trust established

Land offered to the city for conservation was instead sold to a developer. This tragic loss led Nancy Seiberling and other public-spirited people to realize that Iowa City needed a private, nonprofit organization that could act quickly to seize such opportunities and then hold land on its own or resell it to a public body.

1980

November 6

First property protected

Acquisition of Turkey Creek Nature Preserve at 107.2 acres.

1983

March 13

First Prairie Preview environmental forum held

1986

November 17

Hora Woods Acquisition

19.52 acres

1988

April 23

Membership at 45

Ten years after organization founded.

1989

April 24

Instituted Annual Conservation Award

To recognize conservation service.

1992

June 13

Shimek Ravine Acquisition

13 acres of oak-hickory forest that had been purchased by seventeen home-owners in the Ridge Road area to protect that land from development. The home-owners said that they wanted these woods and ravine to remain in their “natural state.”

1998

August 26

Belgum Grove Acquisition

40 acres of land along Dirty Face Creek west of Hills donated by David and Kathie Belgum.

2000

February 20

Joined the national Land Trust Alliance

2004

July 8

Big Grove Acquisition and Natural Woodlands Protection

40-acre Big Grove was our fifth property to acquire from a bargain sale with Dick Schwab, along with nine 10-acre conservation easements called Natural Woodlands.

September 8

Launched $400,000 “Watershed Moment” capital campaign

To acquire endangered land and to perform model stewardship on its properties through: 1. Land Acquisition and Protection, 2. Belgum Grove Restoration and Environmental Classroom, 3. Turkey Creek Stewardship and Restoration, 4. Natural Woodlands Stewardship and Restoration, 5. Shimek Ravine Stabilization, 6. Hora Woods Stewardship, 7. Fundraising

2005

June 5

Administrator Hired

First paid member of staff.

2006

March 12

Prairie Preview organized and hosted by JCHT

For the 23rd annual Prairie Preview, a free, community environmental forum, Johnson County Heritage Trust took over the organization and hosting of this important event.

May 20

Launched $25,000 “Saving Propane Prairie” capital campaign

Propane Prairie, later called Strub Prairie, is the highest-quality prairie left unprotected in our country – it encompasses wet, mesic, and dry prairie types with unusual biodiversity.

May 21

First Family Day – in the spring at Turkey Creek

Spring Family Day at Turkey Creek is a great time to get out on the property with families and children of all ages to learn about and enjoy nature.

October 20

1st “Under a Cider Moon…a Celebration of Autumn” fundraiser event

Celebrate Under a Cider Moon with Our Fall Fundraiser!

Live and silent auction items with local food and wine to support conservation!

December 15

Strub Prairie acquisition

Saving Propane Prairie was a success and Strub Prairie was acquired with 1.08 acres.

2007

October 8

Strub Prairie Conservation Easement

0.3 acres

2008

February 2

Launched $25,000 “Bringing Iowa Back to Belgum Grove” capital campaign

To reconstruct prairie from old pasture land, develop wetland habitat and restore an old stream crossing, restore savanna in the oak-hickory area, create trails for hiking and bird watching access, and provide educational opportunities by developing an “outdoor classroom.”

2009

December 28

O’Mara Newport Woods acquisition

30 acres

2010

June 15

10,000 Hours Show Non-Profit of the Year

July 23

Launched $150,000 Property Stewardship capital campaign

To ensure strong and sustained stewardship of our properties by raising money for a stewardship position and through prescribed prairie burns, seed propagation, managing woodland to allow native species to grow, and controlling and eliminating invasive species.

September 12