President’s Message
Fall 2026
by Jordan Oster
A Step Toward Expanding the Refuge

The Friends board is pleased to share some exciting news: the transfer of the former Van Pilsum farm property south of the refuge entrance road has taken an important step forward, with county and state approvals being recently completed. This milestone moves us closer to permanently protecting this important piece of land and adding over 130 acres of restored prairie to the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. The Friends have been proud to support this effort from the beginning, providing $1 million in December 2023 to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) to aid in the purchase of the property. INHF has held this property, including the building where we have hosted recent “Barn Sales,” while awaiting the possibility of transferring it to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for inclusion in the refuge. Why does this property matter? Located immediately adjacent to the refuge’s main entrance road, it is one of the first landscapes visitors will see as they arrive at the refuge. Restoring this highly visible property to tallgrass prairie would create a meaningful “welcome mat” for visitors by expanding the natural landscape. Adding the property to the refuge also offers benefits well beyond its visibility. Permanent protection and restoration would strengthen habitat connectivity, create additional opportunities for wildlife, and support additional outdoor recreation and hunting for generations to come. The completion of county and state approvals is an important step but additional work remains before the property title can officially be transferred to the refuge system. From there, the land will begin transformative restoration and reseeding.

The Friends are grateful to everyone who has helped move this effort forward and are excited to see what comes next. We are grateful to the Jasper County Board of Supervisors and state partners for their consideration and support of this important conservation opportunity.

We look forward to keeping our members and supporters informed as this process continues. One more piece of prairie restored. One more opportunity to strengthen the future of Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. Your membership and financial support helps us do that. Thank you!

Milky Way Over the Prairie, Patty Foster