News : Outstanding Legacy Project award given to Dysart Woman

Pictured: Catheryn Irvine with the "Outstanding Legacy Project."Also pictured (from left), Iowa DNR Director Kayla Lyon, Catherine Wieck with the Dysart Tree Board, [Irvine], Dysart Mayor Tim Glenn, and DNR State Forester Jeff Goerndt. Photo Credit: Iowa DNR

Dysart's Cathy Irvine Honored for Outstanding Legacy Project in Urban Forestry

Catheryn "Cathy" Irvine of Dysart has been recognized with the Outstanding Legacy Project award by the Iowa Urban Tree Council. The honor was announced during the 34th Annual Urban Forestry Awards Ceremony held on April 3 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny.

Cathy and her late husband, David, shared a deep appreciation for the land they called home-nearly 300 acres of family farmland northeast of Dysart in Benton County. In David's memory, Cathy restored those acres into a tallgrass prairie, a tribute to Iowa's natural heritage and biodiversity.

Her commitment to conservation didn't stop there. Within the city of Dysart, Cathy transformed a two-acre woodland into a lasting gift for the community. Working with the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, she established the Viola Irvine Nature Preserve, named in honor of her family. The preserve was officially dedicated on Arbor Day in 2022 and deeded to the city in late 2023. Since then, efforts have been underway to make the woodland an inviting place for visitors of all ages.

The Viola Irvine Nature Preserve offers a peaceful retreat filled with native beauty. Visitors can stroll along natural trails, pause in the meditation area to enjoy birdsong, and witness a rotating display of woodland flowers throughout the spring season. The Dysart Tree Board has hailed the preserve as an environmental treasure and a lasting legacy for generations to come.

"Catheryn Irvine is an outstanding example of Iowa's urban forestry partners, enhancing our forest resources in meaningful ways," said Emma Hanigan, Urban Forestry Coordinator with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. "This land will create a legacy for Iowans for years."