Ham Marsh: From vision to legacy

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by Kate Lydon

 This article first appeared in INHF's Summer 2007 magazine.

Photo Credit: Bill Witt

John and Maxine Ham passed away in May but their legacy lives on through their beloved marsh, now in public ownership. The couple donated the marsh's core 10 acres (with a reserved life estate), to INHF. It's now owned and managed by the Buchanan County Conservation Board.

Too few Iowans have experienced the rich beauty of an untouched glacial wetland. For the Hams and their seven children, however, it was part of everyday life.

Ham Marsh, located just north of Independence, can now be enjoyed by everyone. Owned and loved by John and Maxine Ham for more than four decades, the 54-acre site is now in public ownership.

A rare remnant

“Dad strongly believed that what you take from the land, you must give back,” said Susan Kauten, the Ham’s only daughter.

Her father purchased the Buchanan County land and relocated his family there in the early 1960s.

“There were so many frogs and salamanders when we first moved to the farm that we could hardly walk around without squishing one,” said Kauten. “Yet Dad would always tell us, ‘Don’t step on that! It’s a rare species!’”

Some of the plants and animals thriving in this diverse marsh are seldom seen in other parts of the state. The central newt—on Iowa’s threatened species list—finds its home among the quality stands of native wild rice, another unusual species in Iowa. Waterfowl such as mallard ducks, blue-winged teal and Canada geese visit the marsh during their yearly migrations. The upland meadows provide excellent nesting ground for birds such as bobolinks, pheasants and meadowlarks. Even sandhill cranes—a species that has rarely nested in Iowa since the late 1800s—have hatched young at the marsh for the past eight years.

A history of caring

The Hams’ first commitment to permanent land protection came in the 1980s after INHF’s Mark Ackelson approached them about conservation options.

Even after 20 years I can remember first meeting with the Hams around their kitchen table and hearing of their passion for their land,” said Ackelson. “It’s been a privilege to help them realize their conservation dream—a dream shared by the entire family.

In 1985 the Hams deeded the 10-acre marsh to INHF with a reserved life estate, which allowed them to use the property until their deaths. Their health failing, the couple gave INHF full ownership in early 2007.  Meanwhile, family members helped them sell an adjacent 44-acre meadowland to INHF.

As planned, the Foundation soon transferred the entire property to the Buchanan County Conservation Board (BCCB) for public use.

“With support from John and Maxine’s family and friends, financial assistance from conservation partners and the dedicated work of several INHF employees, we are happy to protect the wonderful Ham Marsh,” said Dan Cohen, Director of the BCCB.

Photo Credit: Heather Jobst/INHF

Ham Marsh supports many unusual plant and animal species, including native wild rice, sandhill cranes and the state-theatened central newt, shown here.

Cohen recognized other key funders for the land acquisition: the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Habitat Stamp Grant Fund, Iowa Pheasants Forever State Trust Fund, Buchanan County Pheasants Forever, Buchanan County Wildlife Association, and the Kirkwood Community College Wetlands Classic.

As the family wished, the marsh is now open for low-impact public use. Future restoration plans include reconstructing native prairie into the hay fields, prescribed fires, a limited hunting area, a bridge for the trail and a wildlife blind where visitors can observe the site’s myriad species without being noticed.

A bittersweet legacy

Though John and Maxine passed away shortly before the dedication ceremony took place, Kauten said she sensed their presence.

“I think they were definitely there that day,” she said. “They walked the trails with us and with their 30 great-grandkids. That’s who they really did this for.”

More than 200 adults and kids attended the dedication. After the program, attendees enjoyed a dinner provided by the Ham family.

John Pearson of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources conducted a guided hike around the property. Dozens of children were excited to find crayfish, bird nests and giant ant mounds along the way. Kauten said they couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day.

“It was bittersweet because we all wanted them to be there,” Kauten said. “But that’s the way it was supposed to be. It was an honor to have parents who could show us where heaven really was—and it wasn’t in a building."

Kate Lydon is an Iowa State University student and a Robert R. Buckmaster intern at INHF.

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

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