Lakeshore Property on Clear Lake Donated to The Nature Conservancy

DES MOINES, Iowa—January 25, 2008—Max Clausen of Clear Lake recently donated 240 acres of undeveloped shoreline property to The Nature Conservancy to be owned and managed for its natural resources and conservation values. The property was valued at $5.4 million and has approximately 2,700 feet of shoreline.

“We are thrilled to receive this outstanding, stunningly beautiful property with great conservation value. Our goals are to protect Clear Lake’s water quality and resources while preserving this scenic open space for the community. These are goals that are compatible with what Max has requested,” said Jan Glendening, director of philanthropy for the Conservancy in Iowa.

The Conservancy will permit passive use of the property by the community. This will include activities as anchoring boats, swimming, hiking, bird watching, natural resource interpretation, environmental education, scientific research and scenic enjoyment.

Management and stewardship for the natural portions of this property will include removing internal fences, debris or trash on the property, controlling invasive species, using prescribed fire to invigorate the natural areas and planning a staged restoration of the agricultural areas to native plant communities.

The Clausen farm has been in the Clausen family since Max Clausen’s grandfather bought the property in 1891. Clausen recalls the days when Clear Lake was a farming community and everyone went fishing or picnicking on the beach. While Clausen never lived on the property, he spent much of his childhood exploring the lakefront property.

Ventura Marsh/Clear Lake (Clausen) Cerro Gordo County, Iowa - Northern Tallgrass Prairie Ecoregion © N. Walters/TNC [full‑sized map PDF 1.31Mb]

“I wanted to preserve what I had. Anyone would have sold by now. I saw what they did to the rest of the lake and wanted this property to stay in its natural state,” said Clausen. “There is no other place in Clear Lake where you can see grassland, farmland, forest and lake in one view – an unspoiled world that I wouldn’t sell for any price.”

“Max has left an important and wonderful legacy to his community and to future generations and we are grateful for his gift to the Conservancy,” said Glendening.

The Conservancy plans to name the property “Clausen’s Cove” and is planning a community celebration in early summer.

Ventura Marsh and Clear Lake are Iowa Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Management Areas. The Ventra marsh and Clear Lake area contain several species of birds, such as bobolink, yellowthroat and sedge wren. Clear Lake’s fish population consists of walleye, northern pike perch, white bass and yellow bass.

Clear Lake is the third largest natural lake in Iowa with a surface area of 3,625 acres. Ventura Marsh is a 785-acre marsh/wetland area that is the main drainage area for Clear Lake’s watershed.

Clear Lake is on the state list of impaired waters because of excessive levels of nutrients and phytoplankton. Phosphorous and sediment-loading reductions are primary goals for the watershed. Restoration of wetlands, native plant and animal species as well as conservation-based farming practices are being implemented to reach these goals.

The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working to protect the most ecologically important lands and waters around the world for nature and people. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 15 million acres in the United States and have helped preserve more than 102 million acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific.