Iowa Forest Legacy Program

Iowa DNR runs the federal Forest Legacy Program in Iowa. It pays owners of high-quality forest threatened with conversion a one-time sum, 75% of the appraised easement value, for a perpetual conservation easement. Owners can keep managing timber and using the land for hunting and recreation. Iowa has 2,678 acres of Forest Legacy easements on 11 properties.

• Willing owners of important private forest threatened with conversion to agriculture, mining, or residential or commercial development.

• Land within Iowa's Forest Legacy Areas: Cedar-Iowa River Valleys, Des Moines River, Driftless Region, Loess Hills, Mississippi Bluffs, Protected Waters, and Southern Iowa Drift Plain (maps on the page).

• A Forest Stewardship plan is required; DNR foresters write one for free and update it at least every 10 years.

Perpetual conservation easement. The one-time payment is 75% of the appraised easement value. Traditional forest uses such as timber management, hunting, fishing and hiking continue. National competition means acceptance is not guaranteed.

Published amounts: In exchange for limiting development of the property and placing a conservation easement that protects the forest resources into perpetuity, landowners receive a one-time financial payment (75% of the appraised value of their conservation easement).

Talk with Forest Legacy Coordinator Aron Flickinger first, then complete the Landowner Application Package. Applications are due May 15 each year.

Deadline text on the page: The deadline for applications is May 15 each year.