Three landowners have made a commitment to protect their secluded land in Allamakee County, a place where bald eagles soar at the same level as onlookers and where lady’s tresses still grow wild on the native prairie.

Michael and Linda Rickert of Reinbeck and Connie Jo Ayer of Riverside, Calif., have donated a conservation easement to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.

This permanent agreement will protect 260 acres of land, which is located about 11 miles northwest of Waukon. The easement will also protect about one-half mile of Upper Iowa River frontage.

The land is wild and diverse — along with its native prairie, there is significant timberland that includes red oak, white oak, black oak and hickory.

“We didn’t want anyone to build any kind of a dwelling or mansion or even a cabin that would destroy the natural wilderness,” Michael Rickert said. “It was just a matter of time before someone did that.”

Michael Rickert bought the land in 1975 with Connie Jo’s husband, John Ayer, who passed away in 1981. After her husband died, Ayer said it never entered her mind to sell the land.

“It was a vision that John and Mike had together, and I had no desire to sell it. It was going to be preserved,” Ayer said. She said the land protection agreement is a legacy to her and John’s three children, who are now grown. “We’re very pleased that we have made this commitment. It makes us feel at peace. We know the land is going to be protected, as it should be,” she said.

Conservation easements allow landowners to maintain most of their ownership rights. However, the permanent agreement places restrictions on the land’s use — now and in the future. This particular easement prohibits commercial or industrial construction on the land. It retains the current agricultural practices and allows responsible logging.

“The conservation easement does not affect our enjoyment of the land or our immediate income from the land,” Rickert said.

The landowners reserved a small building area of five acres for two residences within 200 feet of the county road, leaving the vast majority of the land wild and undeveloped. One residence is located there now.

This land is an important part of INHF’s overall protection plan for the Upper Iowa River.

“Not only will this easement protect the scenic viewshed and water quality of the Upper Iowa River, but it will also preserve significant native prairie and wildlife habitat,” said Joe McGovern, land stewardship program director.

Past INHF projects in Allamakee County include the Heritage Addition to Effigy Mounds, Upper Iowa River Access and Paint Rock.

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