Franklin County Land Donations Protect Over 300 Acres

Donations to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation preserve habitats and water quality

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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Two separate land donations in Franklin County, Iowa have permanently protected over 300 acres of land through a statewide conservation effort. The donations, valued at over $11 million, were made to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and will help preserve riparian woodlands, oxbow areas, perennial vegetation, and a small stream, benefiting wildlife habitats, water quality, and reducing downstream flooding.

Why it matters

These land donations are part of a broader statewide initiative to permanently protect over 3,200 acres of Iowa land. The preserved habitats and floodplains will help maintain biodiversity, improve water quality, and mitigate flood risks - all important environmental and community benefits.

The details

The two Franklin County donations include 287 acres along the Iowa River donated by James and Miriam Sawtelle, and 23 acres of mixed habitat near Sheffield donated by Jane, Thomas and Ann Dohrmann. The protected lands include riparian woodlands, oxbows, perennial vegetation, and a small stream, providing critical habitats for amphibians, reptiles, and fish populations.

  • The land donations were made in 2026.
  • A ceremony recognizing the 26 donations across 22 Iowa counties will be held on March 24, 2026 from 1-2pm at the Iowa State Capitol.

The players

James and Miriam Sawtelle

Donors of 287 acres of land along the Iowa River in Franklin County.

Jane, Thomas and Ann Dohrmann

Donors of 23 acres of mixed habitat near Sheffield, Iowa.

Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation

The non-profit organization that received the land donations to permanently protect the properties.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

The state agency overseeing the statewide conservation effort that protected over 3,200 acres of land through 26 donations.

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What’s next

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will host a ceremony on March 24, 2026 to recognize the 26 land donations that permanently protected over 3,200 acres across the state.

The takeaway

These land donations in Franklin County demonstrate the ongoing commitment of Iowa residents to preserve the state's natural habitats and resources. By permanently protecting over 300 acres of diverse landscapes, this conservation effort will have long-lasting benefits for wildlife, water quality, and flood mitigation in the local community and across the state.