(1) A conservation district and the supervisors thereof shall have the power to obtain options upon and to acquire by purchase, exchange, lease, gift, grant, bequest, devise, or otherwise any property (real or personal) or rights or interests therein; to maintain, administer, and improve any properties acquired; to receive income from such properties; to expend such income in carrying out the purposes and provisions of this chapter; and to sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of any of its property or interests therein in furtherance of the purposes and provisions of this chapter.
(2) All such property shall be exempt from taxation by the state or any political subdivision thereof.