A personal thanks for
Iowa's county conservation board system

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This article appeared in the Summer 2005 edition of INHF's magazine.
See related article.

by Mark C. Ackelson, INHF president

Congratulations to the county conservation board system in Iowa as it celebrates its golden anniversary—50 years of service to Iowa and conservation.

photo by Mimi Habhab/INHF

Iowa’s county conservation boards are the state’s leaders in owning, maintaining and managing major multi-use recreational trails.

I started my conservation career in Iowa with the Story County Conservation Board. I learned a lot—and continue to do so from the excellent professionals and volunteers associated with these outstanding organizations.

The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation has always played a strong partnership role with the county conservation boards across Iowa. We rely on their knowledge of local resources—both natural and human. Many INHF land projects, about a third of our total, were done in partnership with these boards. These joint projects now total more than 30,000 acres on 251 sites owned by 69 counties.

We value the great partnership of the county conservation boards and thank them for their great work on behalf of Iowa’s land, water and wildlife. We also thank the 495 appointed board members. These volunteers provide leadership and vision for their county programs. But we all owe a special thank you to the visionary citizens and elected officials who created this wonderful system.

The Iowa Association of County Conservation Boards provides education and training in addition to facilitating legislative actions. Their Executive Secretary, Don Brazelton, is also a product of the county conservation board system. Don and I continue to work on conservation issues together on behalf of all Iowans. I’m grateful for this strong professional leadership and partnership.

If Iowa did not already have the county conservation board system, it would need to be created. It is one of our state’s best conservation resources!

 

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