(Orleans)– Efforts are underway to create a new wetland and native prairie area along the new extension of the Iowa Great Lakes Recreational Trail in the Orleans area.
The Spirit Lake United Methodist Church has received title to a 38-acre field formerly owned by Gus Walrath. The land is located east of Highway 327, south of Reed’s Run.
Beth Will Chairs the Methodist Board of Trustees. She says 27.8 acres has been placed in the C-R-P program. The remaining land has been entered into a habitat agreement with the U-S Fish and Wildlife Service.
The United Methodist Church had earlier given an easement to the Dickinson County Trails Association to build part of its Big Spirit trail segment through the western part of the Walrath land. That trail was completed a year ago.
