OUR GOALS

• Preventing invasive species
• Preserving and protecting the wetlands in the Iowa Great Lakes watersheds
• Participating in the control of lake developments to prevent environmental threats
• Promoting sustainable urban and agricultural development that won’t upset the delicate ecological balance of the lakes and watershed
• Informing the community of any concerns and actions that must be taken to act on those ecological concerns

LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS

Check out our most recent newsletter! 

Proposed Carbon Pipeline Through Dickinson County

There is a pipeline being proposed that would carry carbon dioxide through a portion of Dickinson County. It would extend a little more than 20 miles through the eastern part of the county. While the goal is to reduce carbon emissions from ethanol plants, some environmental groups still have their concerns. Resources can be found below and will be added to as we learn more:

• Informational Meeting with Summit Carbon Solutions, LLC (company proposing the pipeline) and Iowa Utilities Board
• Carbon Capture and Storage: The Facts
• Science and Environmental Health Network Newsletter
• Carbon-capture Pipelines Offer Climate Aid; Activists Wary
• Dickinson County Supervisors Hire Engineering Firm to Oversee Pipeline

Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation Secures Option to Protect East Okoboji Shoreline

UPDATE: As of September 6, 2021, 100% of the $8.2 million needed was pledged and the project was a success! Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation will close on the property in December 2021. Okoboji Protective Association had initially pledged $25,000 towards the project. During the final week of fundraising, we created a match challenge for our members, matching dollar for dollar up to $10,000 to donate to the project. Our members exceeded our expectations and donated and pledged a total of $98,075 in less than a week. With that money plus OPA's initial $25,000 plus an additional $10,000 from OPA after members met our challenge, we were able to generate a total of $133,075 to go towards the purchase of this portion of the East Okoboji shoreline. We are so grateful this property will be left in its natural state for generations to come.

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The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) recently secured an option to purchase the 50 acres directly north of Bedell State Park that includes 2,020 feet of natural shoreline. This is the largest remaining section of unprotected, wild shoreline in the Iowa Great Lakes.   

The East Okoboji Shoreline project will help keep the natural character of the lake shore, will ensure important areas for wildlife and plants are protected and betters water quality.  

The OPA's quick action to use $25,000 from the recent generous bequests from Peppy and Norm Bahr toward this project was instrumental in helping secure the option.  

Joe McGovern, President of the INHF, says, “INHF is delighted to be working with OPA and other partners to protect this noteworthy place. It is a tremendous undertaking and we wouldn't be able to do it without this great partnership.”

By Abby Terpstra, INHF Donor Relations Director