Iowans want a legacy of parks and wildlife areas. Why doesn't the Iowa Legislature?

Flipping a lure to coax a walleye from the waters of the Wapsipinicon River; watching short-eared owls make tight aerial turns, flying low and ghost-like over a dusk-lit prairie in a state wildlife management area; sitting in a tree stand anticipating a deer’s approach in a county wildlife area; setting up camp and then taking family out on the bicycle trail — I contemplate that these are birthrights that define us as Iowans, and part of a national philosophy that provides a legacy of parks and natural places belonging to everyone, and to no one.

Unfortunately, forces are at work in Iowa that seek to diminish this legacy of public lands. During the past decade, some in the Iowa Legislature have sought to block the ability to provide Iowans with any new or expanded parks and wildlife areas. This in a state that already ranks near-bottom in the amount of public land available to its citizens. Iowans quickly gathered in resistance, and the first, blatant attempts were largely held at bay. Today, the assault on Iowans’ access to public lands continues in a more nuanced approach.

The latest attempt to diminish Iowans’ access to public parks and wildlife areas has taken the form of Senate Study Bill 3129 and House File 2104, which would restrict Iowa DNR and nonprofit conservation groups from acquiring lands through an auction or other public land sale.  This includes lands where people would experience nature and outdoor recreation, and which may be part of water quality protection efforts.  Landowners would have their selling rights limited by excluding conservation groups.  The bills were rushed through the subcommittee process Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 with only a couple of days’ notice of the hearings.  Still, many people attended. Even with opposition far in excess of the few proponents, the bill passed out of the Senate Natural Resources and Environment subcommittee.  The House Natural Resources subcommittee did not move the bill, but, if past is prologue, the bad legislation may surface elsewhere.  Now is the time for Iowans to let legislators know that any such effort should be rejected.

Public lands are at the core of our American ideal.  That natural places and wildlife are “public resources” was quite novel before the precedent was established in 19th-century America. Prior to this, most societies in Europe considered land, wildlife, and associated resources as belonging to relatively few wealthy landowners or kings. “The people” were not permitted to hike, hunt, fish, or otherwise share the land collectively. Most Iowans do not own large acreages. The public lands where people go for their outdoor recreation and nature adventures are relatively small, making up 1% to 2% of the Iowa landscape. We must be diligent to protect and enhance a legacy of Iowa parks and natural areas.  As the famous American author Wallace Stegner put it, "…parks are the best idea we ever had. Absolutely American, absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best rather than our worst."

Iowans have a strong passion to protect and enjoy parks and natural areas.  Indeed, when placed on the ballot, a super-majority of Iowans voted to establish the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund in the Iowa Constitution.  Unfortunately, the Iowa Legislature and governor have yet to provide funding to make the promises of the Trust Fund a reality.  Funding the trust would be a great step for lawmakers to be a positive force for parks and wildlife areas, as well as improving water quality and protecting agricultural soil.

People want to live, work, play, and stay in places where they have access to parks, trails, clean water, and wildlife.  Surveys conducted by Iowa Economic Development Authority indicate people are more likely to come to our state if they know there are many public, outdoor places to enjoy.  People want more public land, not less.  Legislators should facilitate efforts of the Iowa DNR and others who champion this cause, and dismiss those who would diminish an Iowa legacy of public parks and wildlife areas.

Dan Cohen recently retired as the long-time executive director for the Buchanan County Conservation Board and County Conservation Director Association legislative liaison. He lives in rural Independence, Iowa where he continues his Nature Communications work as a writer and photographer.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowans want a legacy of parks and wildlife areas. We face opposition.