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Yahoo
10-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
UI will not renew Macbride Nature Recreation Area lease, ending 75-year partnership
The University of Iowa is ending a longtime partnership with a beloved nature area. The university announced that it won't renew its lease at the Macbride Nature Recreation Area after reviewing the "financial and operational sustainability" of the property. The lease expires on July 1, 2029. The university has leased the 485 acres, for free, from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers since 1959. Researchers, naturalists and College of Education students have used the land near Solon for decades. The school is currently responsible for maintaining the landscape, all structures, and the roads under the terms of its existing lease. More: Iowa Drought Monitor map: See where drought conditions remain after continued improvement 'This was not an easy decision," UI President Barbara Wilson said in a statement. "But after extensive analysis, we determined that the long-term financial requirements are not feasible given the university's current resources and the need to stay focused on our highest priorities, which include educating 30,000 students, supporting cutting-edge research, and delivering world-class patient care. I very much appreciate the work of the committee and their outreach to potential partners as we explored numerous options.' A recreation area committee was formed in the summer of 2024 to analyze the feasibility of the partnership. A report released in May estimated the University of Iowa would need to invest nearly $15 million in immediate improvements to the area in order to renew the lease, in addition to $1 million per year for ongoing maintenance. The Macbride Nature Recreation Area hosts programs under the UI WILD umbrella, including the School of the Wild, a College of Education experiential learning and teaching space, as well as the Iowa Raptor Project and the Iowa Wildlife Camps. The programs will continue after the lease expires, the UI said in a release. Program leaders are exploring future homes for the components of UI WILD. More: Prompted by 'political threats,' this Iowa nonprofit that supports immigrants has closed "We are deeply proud of the impact School of the Wild has had across the state," College of Education Dean Dan Clay said in a statement. 'It will absolutely continue — just in a new home. Our team is working to ensure students continue to benefit from high-quality, immersive environmental learning opportunities.' The university said it will work with the Army Corps of Engineers as the end of the lease nears, expecting to unveil more information in a few months. The one-time, $14.8 million estimate included in the Macbride Nature committee's report highlighted aging roads, which are in need of "urgent repairs." Many roads haven't been repaired in more than 65 years, according to the report. "A significant part" of the roadways must be repaired at a cost of about $6.6 million. The report also noted that Macbride Nature Recreation Area has a "lack of reliable cell phone service," creating challenges for students and visitors. The report estimated that it would cost about $800,000 to upgrade technology, plus a few thousand dollars each year for wireless service in buildings and classrooms. More: Gowrie man guilty in killing of teen that rocked rural Iowa community The report also identified a need for new restrooms and a storm shelter. The committee also speculated that the university may have to foot a $500,000 bill for building demolitions "that could pose concerns at an unoccupied/unmanaged site." Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@ or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01. This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: UI will not renew Macbride Nature Recreation Area lease in 2029
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
UI will not renew Macbride Nature Recreation Area lease, ending 75-year partnership
The University of Iowa is ending a longtime partnership with a beloved nature area. The university announced that it won't renew its lease at the Macbride Nature Recreation Area after reviewing the "financial and operational sustainability" of the property. The lease expires on July 1, 2029. The university has leased the 485 acres, for free, from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers since 1959. Researchers, naturalists and College of Education students have used the land near Solon for decades. The school is currently responsible for maintaining the landscape, all structures, and the roads under the terms of its existing lease. More: Iowa Drought Monitor map: See where drought conditions remain after continued improvement 'This was not an easy decision," UI President Barbara Wilson said in a statement. "But after extensive analysis, we determined that the long-term financial requirements are not feasible given the university's current resources and the need to stay focused on our highest priorities, which include educating 30,000 students, supporting cutting-edge research, and delivering world-class patient care. I very much appreciate the work of the committee and their outreach to potential partners as we explored numerous options.' A recreation area committee was formed in the summer of 2024 to analyze the feasibility of the partnership. A report released in May estimated the University of Iowa would need to invest nearly $15 million in immediate improvements to the area in order to renew the lease, in addition to $1 million per year for ongoing maintenance. The Macbride Nature Recreation Area hosts programs under the UI WILD umbrella, including the School of the Wild, a College of Education experiential learning and teaching space, as well as the Iowa Raptor Project and the Iowa Wildlife Camps. The programs will continue after the lease expires, the UI said in a release. Program leaders are exploring future homes for the components of UI WILD. More: Prompted by 'political threats,' this Iowa nonprofit that supports immigrants has closed "We are deeply proud of the impact School of the Wild has had across the state," College of Education Dean Dan Clay said in a statement. 'It will absolutely continue — just in a new home. Our team is working to ensure students continue to benefit from high-quality, immersive environmental learning opportunities.' The university said it will work with the Army Corps of Engineers as the end of the lease nears, expecting to unveil more information in a few months. The one-time, $14.8 million estimate included in the Macbride Nature committee's report highlighted aging roads, which are in need of "urgent repairs." Many roads haven't been repaired in more than 65 years, according to the report. "A significant part" of the roadways must be repaired at a cost of about $6.6 million. The report also noted that Macbride Nature Recreation Area has a "lack of reliable cell phone service," creating challenges for students and visitors. The report estimated that it would cost about $800,000 to upgrade technology, plus a few thousand dollars each year for wireless service in buildings and classrooms. More: Gowrie man guilty in killing of teen that rocked rural Iowa community The report also identified a need for new restrooms and a storm shelter. The committee also speculated that the university may have to foot a $500,000 bill for building demolitions "that could pose concerns at an unoccupied/unmanaged site." Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@ or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01. This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: UI will not renew Macbride Nature Recreation Area lease in 2029
