Dan Palmer isn’t new to protecting Iowa land — he’s donated three conservation easements already. So when the opportunity to protect his Jackson County property arose, he had no hesitation.

Palmer, who owns a bison herd, recently donated a conservation easement to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) on 200 acres in Jackson County. This property lies adjacent to Palmer’s 582-acre Dark Hollow Bison Acre Ranch, which he protected in 1999. Adding this property to the existing easement creates a more than 700-acre block of permanently protected land.

Since 1999, Palmer, of Moline, Ill., has completed two additional easements with the INHF, Mill Creek (186 acres) and another in Jackson County (90 acres). Palmer continues his bison production and conducts on-site educational trips for school children about the story of North American bison.

The Palmer property, located near Maquoketa, contains interior upland pasture and mixed deciduous woods. There are also oak savanna areas that have been recognized for restoration. Locally, Palmer is best known as president and CEO of Tri-City Electric Company in Davenport.

Though Palmer retains private ownership and use, the easement permanently protects the land from mining, developing, clear cutting, over-grazing and other activities that could diminish the area’s natural resources and scenery. The easement restrictions apply to Palmer and all future owners.

 “There’s only so much land out there,” Palmer said. “When you find the right piece, you know. It needs to be saved.”

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 almost 100,000 acres of Iowa’s wild places.

Other INHF projects in Jackson County include Baldwin Marsh and the Green Island Timber Easement.

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