Linn County Conservation adds 140 acres to its nature preserves

CEDAR RAPIDS — Lifelong Cedar Rapids resident Rae Jeanne Kilberger donated 83 acres of land and funding assistance to purchase an additional 57 acres along the Cedar River near Ellis Road NW to Linn County Conservation to be a wildlife natural area.

The new natural area — called Bird Preserve after Kilberger’s grandparents’ last name “Bird” — will be open to hiking and exploring, as well as archery-only deer hunting during the appropriate seasons.

During a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday, Kilberger, 86, said she wanted to open the land to anyone who wanted to “come and enjoy it,” especially since she has no living family. The land has been owned by her family since 1920, she said.

“The birds and the deer — especially in the spring when the does have two or three little ones running along — that’s beautiful,” Kilberger said.

Linn County Conservation’s restorative measures to the property include re-establishing oxbow river restoration — referring to a U-shaped bend in a river or stream — wetlands restoration, oak savanna restoration — which was once one of the most common vegetation types in the Midwest but is today highly endangered — and pollinator fields. Low impact development plans include mowed and gravel walking paths, timber shade structures, swing structures, seating areas and restrooms.

Kilberger — who was raised by her grandparents — said her grandfather, Clayton “Jack” Bird always had a vision for the land to be donated to the county. A plaque on the preserve explains the vision of “Pa Bird,” Kilberger’s name for her grandfather.

“The features of the preserve represent a true picture of what he valued the most in life. The land, its beauty, the wetlands, the wildlife & birds, beauty and giving and sharing with others,” the plaque reads.

Dennis Goemaat, executive director of the Linn County Conservation Board, said the board’s mission — which includes water quality, land protection and wildlife habitat development — are “exemplified” in this project.

“Throughout the decades, we’ve had a lot of people help the conservation program,” said Goemaat, celebrating the first phase of the project. “We have thousands of hours of volunteers every year. This donation is one of the most extravagant examples of personal generosity we’ve ever experienced.”

“My only disappointment today is that the sun is not shining because a gift like this deserves to have the sun shine on (Kilberger) today for her forethought and generosity,” Goemaat said.

One aspect Linn County Conservation staff are especially proud of is an overlook with a swing crafted from walnut wood from the derecho. The swing was made in-house by carpenters in the conservation department.

Phase 2 of the project, which focuses on the 57 acres along the Cedar River, will be completed in summer 2024. This will include the addition of a parking lot, a restroom and a 24-seat pavilion. Daniel Gibbins, with Linn County Conservation, said this land was largely protected in August 2020 by a hill that blocked the property from derecho winds.

Linn County Conservation is letting an alfalfa field on the property grow for a few more years before it reaches its “life’s end” and replacing it with pollinator flowers, Gibbins said.

Gibbins said Bird Preserve has “all the native ecosystems of Iowa” — a stream, wetland, forest and prairie.

The wetland — which flows into the Cedar River — is especially important to improving and maintaining water quality by removing sediments and other pollutants, including chemicals, and filtering excess nutrients that may run off from agricultural and development sites, Gibbins said.

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Kilberger last year had the historic Stony Point Schoolhouse moved from its original location to her property for restoration, including replacing the windows, refinishing the floor and repairing the water-damaged walls and roof.

The schoolhouse was moved from the land where it stood since the 1800s to a new foundation on a 120-acre farm she owns at 6304 Ellis Rd. NW in Cedar Rapids.

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