This article first appeared in INHF's 2005 Annual Report.

In 2005, more than ever before, the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation tackled conservation projects that each involve multiple years, multiple political jurisdictions, multiple partners, and multiple millions of dollars from thousands of donors.

And then there were the projects that required quick decisions, innovative solutions or quiet, one-on-one conversations in a landowner’s kitchen.

That’s why INHF was created—to bridge public and private conservation efforts, to be simultaneously nimble and far-thinking, to offer professional services with a personal touch. That versatility is reflected in our 2005 accomplishments: from three state park additions to seven private conservation easements, from an integrated trail network to an isolated prairie remnant, from a few college interns to a quarter-million web visitors.

Thanks to your ongoing support, INHF remains ever-resourceful in conserving Iowa’s resources. Please join us in celebrating these shared successes:

Innovating for clean water:

Though not a lobbying organization, INHF is a leader in bringing new ideas to Iowa’s conservation policy and funding.

Four years ago, when researching sources of funding for clean water, we discovered that Iowa’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund was unable to find borrowers, resulting in millions of dollars in unused loan funds. The program already provides loans for traditional infrastructure projects like waste water treatment plants. We worked to expand the rules so these funds can be used for prevention as well as a cure—addressing water quality issues throughout a watershed.

As a result, new loan programs were offered in 2005, and $X million in low-interest loans was awarded to various projects—with more in the pipeline. For example, INHF has applied for a low-interest loan in 2006 to support our Anglers Bay project (see p. 6), and the interest costs saved would reduce this project’s price tag by hundreds of thousands of dollars. Meanwhile, we continue to explore other ways that Iowa can lend its clean water money more wisely.

Expanding a prairie remnant:

INHF helped the Marshall County Conservation Board add 211 acres to Marietta Sand Prairie, increasing this state preserve’s size more than ten-fold and creating Marshall County’s largest public wildlife area.

The addition contains fragments of native sand prairie and fens, both rare ecosystems known for their species diversity. The project partners and volunteers have begun a multi-year task of expanding the prairie by collecting seed from the remnants and replanting them throughout the site.

With so many benefits, this project drew an impressive array of donors, from hunters to prairie lovers.

Protecting natural shoreline:

The Ventura Cove Enhancement Project makes Clear Lake cleaner, safer and more accessible to the public—while protecting significant natural features. The project includes two neighboring parcels that comprise 25 acres and 1,000 feet of shoreline.

INHF still owns the 24-acre wooded parcel, among the lake’s last stretches of undeveloped shoreline. We are developing management plans to protect its habitat and water quality benefits while adding trail access. The Iowa DNR now owns the one-acre Ventura Grade parcel. They are improving public access and safety by adding parking, paths, a removable dock and other amenities—along with features that control runoff and protect water quality.

Thanks to outstanding local support and 276 donors—including landowners who sold us the woodland at a substantial discount—we raised nearly $1 million in private funds and $.7 in public funds for this project.

Restoring wetland systems:

As in previous years, INHF’s land projects for 2005 include more wetlands and their associated uplands than any other project type.

By helping landowners and public conservation agencies identify and prioritize potential complexes, INHF has helped make Iowa a national leader in using the Wetland Reserve Program to help restore wetlands for water quality and wildlife habitat. We take pride that many of our current wetland projects are additions to former projects.

As with everything else, wetland projects are becoming more expensive, requiring more partners and more time to complette. For example, in 2005 we transferred the last parcel of a 2002 acquisition to the Iowa DNR’s Spring Run Wetland Complex in Dickinson County. Meanwhile, we purchased 930 acres for a new southeast Iowa wetland complex that may not enter public ownership for many months or even years.

Expanding a Loess Hills state park:

Called “the most significant addition to Iowa’s state park system in a generation,” the new 652-acre addition to Waubonsie State Park increased the park’s size by 52 percent. INHF spent more than two years and hundreds of staff hours helping acquire this former Girl Scout camp—assisting the Iowa DNR with negotiations, fundraising and other technical details.

The addition harbors prairie remnants and is located in one of 12 “Special Landscape Areas” within Iowa’s Loess Hills that has been prioritized for protection. It also contains a lake, trails, cabins, rental lodge and other amenities that could help Waubonsie become a destination park that draws tourists from three states. A showcase of how conservation can boost the local economy, the project drew significant funding from the Iowa legislature.

Training Iowa's future conservationists:

INHF’s college internship program has grown and adapted to changing needs—while teaching and touching 151 students since 1986.

We assembled our first land stewardship intern crew in 2000, and it’s been so successful that we added a second crew in 2005. With major funding from the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust and our Ding Darling Conservation Education Fund, four student interns worked on natural landscapes at 13 sites, including INHF properties and private land under permanent conservation protection. They helped stabilize the banks of a coldwater trout stream and removed thousands of invasive plants from prairies, oak savannas and woodlands. Equally important, they worked alongside private landowners on their land, learning as much from them as from the land itself.

Inspired by these results, in 2006 we’ll further expand and combine our stewardship crews—creating an 8-person crew to work on 30 sites.

Connecting Iowans with nature:

INHF’s founders believed we can’t protect our natural resources unless Iowans understand and enjoy them. That’s why we’ve always invested in communications and outreach.

Our award-winning website drew more than a quarter-million visitors in 2005. Favorite website sections include Ecology College and Explore Iowa, especially the new online version of our Iowa by Trail book with its maps and descriptions of 42 trails. We sent monthly e-mails about conservation projects and events to thousands of INHF members, media and legislators. We provided or were tapped as sources for 750 newspaper articles and public service ads on conservation topics. We got Iowans outdoors by cosponsoring events ranging from the Statewide Prairie Rescue to the Upper Iowa River Cleanup. We published some of our state’s best nature photography and information to remind Iowans of what we have—and what we stand to lose.

Building a visionary trail network:

Imagine exploring a 100-mile trail that conveniently circles back to your starting point, while offering shortcuts and linking trails that let you tailor the experience to your time and inclination. INHF is helping create two such loops—and miles of connecting trails—in partnership with counties and communities throughout central Iowa.

This multi-year project got a huge boost in 2005 when Union Pacific Railroad sold us a 24-mile corridor that connects Woodward, Madrid, Slater, Sheldahl and Ankeny. This segment will be highlighted by an imposing, half-mile bridge over the Des Moines River—currently dismantled except for its towering piers.

INHF is now transferring the corridor to the four counties and five communities involved. Meanwhile, we’re helping them work with the Iowa DOT and other funders to build trail on the newly acquired corridor while we continue negotiating with Union Pacific on future additions.

Letter from the Board Chair

2005 Land Projects

INHF by the Numbers

Looking Ahead

Major Donors

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

2005 highlights