Pottawattamie County, Iowa – The Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation presented an oversized check for $125,000 to the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, January 17th.

The ceremonial presentation took place at the weekly County Board meeting, recognizing partial repayment of a recent Pottawattamie County Conservation acquisition of 93 acres of land adjacent to Hitchcock Nature Center. The Board of Supervisors approved the purchase in November, with the agreement The Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation would commit $125,000 of its cash reserve towards the $1,175,000 investment.

“This was a parcel our department had been interested in for quite some time,” said Mark Shoemaker, Executive Director of Pottawattamie County Conservation. “It’s a beautiful piece of land, that we’ll be able to preserve and protect for years to come.”

Photo/story are courtesy Craig Carlsen; Public Relations Manager

Doris Ferguson, the previous landowner, had expressed interest in selling to the county when she could no longer take care of the property. Upon her passing, the land was gifted to the Doris Ferguson Estate and the long-term vision was kept alive by her son Mark Ferguson.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity Doris Ferguson and her family have provided our county,” said Shoemaker. “This wouldn’t have been possible without their support, the support from our Board of Supervisors, and the shared outlook towards the future with the Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation. It’s rewarding to be a part of all of it.”

Prior to approaching the Board of Supervisors for assistance, Pottawattamie County Conservation drafted a funding strategy to pay back land acquisition funds used by the Board for the acquisition. The strategy identified several partners, grants, and internal funds to replenish the land fund for Pottawattamie County. Shoemaker says he hopes to repay those funds over the next nine months.

For more information and the latest news and events from Pottawattamie County Conservation visit PottConservation.com.