Vic and Jan Lothe

Janet (Henderson) Lothe grew up on her family’s century farm near Humboldt, following cow trails through the timber, hiking the hills, fishing the river, and falling in love with the land.

Although Lothe grew up and left the farm, she maintained close ties with the land, especially its woodlands.

Jan Lothe and her husband, Vic Lothe, both of New Auburn, Wis., recently ensured that 15 acres of their family’s woodlands in Humboldt County would be protected forever.

They donated the land to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, a non-profit conservation group. The parcel is located on the southwest edge of Humboldt along the west fork of the Des Moines River.

The Lothes own about 130 acres near Humboldt. Although the majority of their land is in agriculture, the northern 15 acres contains oak-hickory woodlands and rare oak savanna.

The Lothes always recognized the unique forest ecosystem they owned and were concerned with preserving its natural beauty. The property was enrolled in the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Healthy Forest Reserve Program (HFRP).

The Lothes said they donated the 15 acres to INHF because they did not want their woodlands developed, now or in the future.

“Every year I’ve gotten some inquiries regarding selling portions of the woodland for development. I don’t want to see that happen,” Jan Lothe said.

The high ground provides habitat for numerous woodland and savanna species. But with development increasing along the river, the possibility existed that the Lothes’ woodlands could be destroyed.

“This land would be desirable for residential development, as that is the land use pattern to the north,” said Joe McGovern, land stewardship program director for INHF. “But Vic and Jan wanted see it kept natural and undeveloped. We are glad we could help them reach this goal.”

INHF will continue to own the property. McGovern said the group will cooperate with the Humboldt County Conservation Board on the land’s management. Although the land is not open to the public, it buffers land owned by the Humboldt County Counservation Board.

Vic Lothe said his wife has always wanted the land preserved, and the decision has given them both peace of mind.

“There hasn’t even been a second thought about letting the property go and trying to preserve it. Jan has always felt strongly about protecting it,” he said.

INHF is a nonprofit, conservation group that works with private landowners and other partners to protect Iowa’s land, water and wildlife. Since its founding in 1979, INHF has helped protect more than 100,000 acres of Iowa’s wild places.

Other INHF projects in Humboldt County include the Three Rivers Trail, the Pioneer Prairie Pothole and the Humboldt Railroad Prairie.

For more information, e-mail Cathy Engstrom, Director of Communications, or call (515) 288-1846.