Share Your Thoughts: Help Shape the Future of Macbride Nature Area with UI’s Public Feedback Request!

IOWA CITY — The University of Iowa is reviewing its use of the 485-acre Macbride Nature Recreation Area. A committee is working on this evaluation and plans to submit its final report to President Barbara Wilson by May 1.

Last June, the university promised to involve the community in this review. On February 13, they invited input from community members, allowing them to share their thoughts by email until March 14.

The update was prompted by community members who expressed concerns about transparency in the review process. They wanted to ensure that the review would support both sustainability and the university’s goals.

Connie Mutel, a retired senior science writer, voiced her concerns in a letter to President Wilson. She noted that community members were eager to express their support for the nature area but felt unsure about how to do so. Mutel emphasized the importance of keeping the process open, given that the UI is a public institution funded by taxpayers.

The review began after the university dropped a plan to shift over $1 million in costs for maintaining the nature area from the College of Education to the campus’s general budget. College of Education Dean Daniel Clay described this decision as “disappointing but understandable” in light of the university’s limited resources.

Adding to the uncertainty, there have been rumors that the university may not extend its lease with the Army Corps of Engineers when it expires in 2029. Currently, the lease includes a clause that allows the university to terminate the agreement with three years’ notice. The local Army Corps office stated that although there have been discussions about the future of the lease, no formal decision has been made yet.

Recent maintenance costs rose significantly due to damages from the 2020 derecho and a fire at the Iowa Raptor Center. The reviewing committee is looking into the area’s financial, historical, and academic aspects, collecting data on usage and future costs. They’ve also reached out to various stakeholders for their opinions.

In her feedback, Mutel highlighted the unique educational experiences offered by the Macbride Nature Recreation Area. She emphasized that it provides transformative opportunities for Iowa students and staff, thanks to its rich natural environment and proximity to urban areas.

Bradley Freidhof, interim director of the Johnson County Conservation Board, also contacted Wilson, urging the committee to think creatively about the future of the nature area. He questioned what new collaborative learning opportunities could emerge and suggested partnerships with local educational programs for maintenance and improvement projects.

Freidhof strongly believes in promoting the nature area as a place for physical and mental well-being, encouraging students and community members to utilize it more.

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