By Steve Weisman
Photo provided by INHF: Aerial view of the recent purchase of 132 acres from the Gruhn family, highlighted in yellow.
The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) recently completed the purchase of 132 acres on the east side of Big Spirit Lake (to the east side of 270th Avenue) from the Gruhn family. The property will eventually be sold and transferred to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and opened to the public.
Situated in the Big Spirit watershed, close to Big Spirit Lake, land use on the property has a direct impact on water quality to and in the lake. Future restoration will prevent soil disturbance and enhance its ability to absorb high volume rain events. This will in-turn help with filtration into groundwater. Currently the entire slough is in private ownership. Acquisition will also protect remnant prairie and a portion of the Sandbar Slough shoreline and access.
The aerial map gives a visual of the location of the secured land marked off in yellow. As noted on the map, the Gruhn farmstead will remain under family ownership, and the acquired property will extend north of the farmstead to the gravel road and then west to a parcel of land which was acquired in 1997 (Pottoff property), also called the Hales Slough WMA. That 160-acre project now in DNR ownership is part of the 274-acre Hales Slough property located across 270th Avenue.
As shown on the aerial map, the Gruhn purchase then heads west to the northeast shoreline of Sandbar Slough (Sandbar Slough is the white/purple area on the map) and then back across to the north along the backside of the farmstead.
According to Joe Jayjack, Communications Director for the INHF, “The purchase of this property will allow for additional wetland restoration on the existing public wildlife area. The property is in an identified Prairie Pothole Joint Venture Priority Area. Many migratory bird species will benefit from the restoration of this project.”
According to John Smeltzer, president of the Spirit Lake Protective Association, “The Spirit Lake Protective Association is delighted to hear about the acquisition of the Gruhn Farm by the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. This action fits perfectly into the mission of SLPA: ‘Quality of Water, Quality of Life’. Congratulations to the Gruhn family and INHF for their lasting commitment to the wellbeing of the entire Iowa Great Lakes Area.”
Jayjack added that the INHF will likely be raising funds for future native habitat restoration on the property.
