25 events will showcase
Iowa's outdoor attractions

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The newly launched "celebrate Iowa's great outdoors" campaign makes it easy for Iowans to try various outdoor activities at some of the state's top outdoor sites and events.

To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) is co-sponsoring 25 outdoor events throughout Iowa in 2004: biking through Iowa's Loess Hills, bird-watching in Iowa's prairie pothole region, taking a guided pontoon ride on the Mississippi River and 22 others. INHF is a non-profit conservation group that protects Iowa's land, water and wildlife.

"Our goal is to help Iowans see Iowa as they may never have seen it before," said Mark Ackelson, INHF President. "No matter what your age, fitness level, outdoor experience or location in Iowa, we've got an event for you! These events are designed to give kids or adults a fun outdoor experience-with informal opportunities to learn about nature along the way."

Since 1979, INHF has protected more than 75,000 acres at nearly 600 sites throughout the state. Each of the 25 events is held on a site INHF helped create, protect or expand, including Vincent Prairie Bluff in Council Bluffs, wetlands in the Okoboji area, the Raccoon River Valley Trail in central Iowa, Kent Park by Iowa City and the forested Mississippi River bluffs at Effigy Mounds National Monument in northeast Iowa.

The 25 events run from March to November and cover all corners of the state. All are open to the public, most are free and only a few require pre-registration. A complete event list—along with details about the site, event, driving directions and local accommodations—is available on the event web page or by calling the INHF office at 515-288-1846.

Each event is hosted by local partners who own, manage or promote the sites year-round. "Whether you're attending an event in your neighborhood or across the state, here's your chance to explore Iowa's outdoors with local experts who can help you get the most from your experience," noted Ackelson.

These partner organizations include county conservation boards, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the National Park Service, local communities, other nonprofit groups, volunteers and many others. "Iowans don't realize how many people it takes to protect and promote our natural resources," Ackelson added. "We hope they'll join us and our partners to see some of the best of what Iowa has to offer."

For more information, e-mail Cathy Engstrom, director of communications, or Anita O'Gara, Vice President and Director of Development, or call (515) 288-1846. For more details about event go INHF's 25 events page.