Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation: Project News

Project News

This page contains news releases about INHF projects that are recently completed or in progress. Many of these projects still need financial support, and we'd love to have your help. You can search for older INHF news releases by topic with the site's search function (top/left side of each web page), by subject in our news archive or by county in our clickable INHF project map.

NEW A special concert presented by Jon Stravers' Big Blue Sky band will benefit INHF. The concert will be held at the Pella Opera House at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8. Big Blue Sky's music incorporates influences from folk, bluegrass, blues and reggae, as well as inspiration from our natural heritage. Special musical guest will be popular Iowa singer-songwriter Dave Moore. Tickets cost $15 and seating is limited. Learn more. Get more information about Big Blue Sky. Order advance tickets directly through the opera house or call their ticket office at 800-720-6327. (10/08/08)

NEW Erwin Klaas believes many people don’t realize the impact their actions have on the environment. He wants to change that. Now his tireless volunteer work has been recognized in a big way. Erv Klaas, a champion of myriad environmental causes, has won the Lawrence and Eula Hagie Heritage Award. Learn more. (8/27/08)

NEW When storms struck the Wabash Trace Nature Trail in southwest Iowa, a team of local youth battled floodwaters and downed trees to keep the trail open for business. The Heritage Conservation Corps crew worked hard this summer to keep the trail clear amidst frequent windstorms and flooding, in addition to the regular maintenance. They chopped up fallen trees, repaired sections of surface washed out by floods, and trimmed the vegetation that grew out of control from all the rain. Learn more. (8/27/08)

The future development of the Rolling Prairie Trail received a green light this week when INHF finalized purchase of an unused rail corridor, working with the counties and Union Pacific Railroad. The Rolling Prairie Trail will make it possible for bicyclists, walkers and runners to travel from Beeds Lake State Park in Franklin County, to Wilder County Park and Heery Woods State Park in Butler County. Towns along the full route include Hampton, Dumont, Clarksville and Shell Rock. For more information. (8/21/08)

Trail enthusiasts and communities in central Iowa celebrated progress on the Central Iowa Trails System with a guided bike ride and program, Sunday, Oct. 5. For more information. (9/25/08)

Jasper County dedicated Hartley Heritage Fen on the morning of Sept. 6, 2008. A ceremony introduced this natural gem and recognized donors. Get project details. (8/19/08)

The new Iowa River Wildlife Area (IRWA) was introduced to the public on Sat., Sept. 6. This conservation project protects 485 acres of diverse wildlife habitat, about 1.5 miles North of Marshalltown.The IRWA will protect more than a mile of Iowa River shoreline, along with mature woodland, springs, wetlands and prairie, along with areas where wetlands and prairie are being restored. Get project details. (8/18/08)

About 200 major donors, partners and friends came together Saturday morning, August 2, to celebrate a landmark conservation success at the Iowa Great Lakes. They were there to dedicate the new Anglers Bay Wildlife Management Area, on the northeast shore of Big Spirit Lake. Learn more. (8/7/08)

Iowa’s Vision Iowa board approved a $1.75 million challenge grant for a new central Iowa trail Wednesday. As a condition of the grant, project partners must raise an additional $550,000 by Nov. 6, 2008. When complete, the 25-mile Ankeny to Woodward Trail will connect five Iowa communities (Ankeny, Sheldahl, Slater, Madrid and Woodward) and four counties (Polk, Story, Boone and Dallas). (7/10/08)

A national agency recently recognized two local trails and the benefits they provide for central Iowa residents. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne has designated 24 trails in 16 states as new National Recreation Trails, including two in central Iowa: Great Western Trail in Polk and Warren counties and Summerset Trail in Warren County. (6/23/08)

Nine land stewardship interns and three office interns have been hired at INHF for the summer 2008. Learn more about the interns. (6/6/08)

Good news comes in twos for the Iowa River Wildlife Management Area in Marshall County: fundraising goals for the project have been met, and work has begun to restore natural areas and provide public enjoyment. (6/5/08)

The spring 2008 issue of the INHF magazine, featuring the 2007 Annual Report, is now available online. Learn more. (6/5/08)

INHF is excitedly awaiting two new project site dedications, one at Stone State Park in Woodbury County, and one at Cortright Wildlife Area in Buchanan County. (5/29/08)

INHF is happy to announce the 2008 winners of the Gladys Black Scholarship! Andrea Schletzbaum of Pleasantville and Kirn Stevenson of Knoxville were selected from among other applicants for this year's award. Both recipients are high school seniors in Marion County, home to the Gladys Black Bald Eagle Refuge. (5/13/08)

Landowner’s Options, a free land conservation guide published by the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, recently won the annual Ada Hayden Conservation Education Award. The guide outlines numerous options for Iowans who are exploring permanent land protection — whether they intend to maintain private ownership or convert it to public use. (4/16/08)

For more information, e-mail Cathy Engstrom, Director of Communications, or call (515) 288-1846.