Trails Advocate

By Rowan McMullen Cheng on August 1, 2019 in Blog

Bike through tree-lined tunnels, walk your dog around the lake or take an evening stroll with a loved-one along the prairie. These activities and more wouldn’t be the same without trails. Trails make outdoor activities more accessible to people of all ages and abilities, and provide a front row seat to the wildlife and wildlands around us.

Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation’s new Mark C. Ackelson Fellow, Luke Bowers, is an avid trail user and advocate; he even volunteers as an Iowa DNR trails ambassador. Similarly, you can volunteer with INHF to support trails across Iowa or in your local community.

With a heart for activism and a passion for Iowa’s land, water and wildlife, Bowers promotes an increase in statewide trails, reliable trail maintenance and consistent state funding. INHF is part of a statewide coalition (IWILL) working to fund the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund, which includes funding for trails. Bowers is working at a grassroots level to secure support for places that allows Iowans to experience, learn about and from nature.

Bowers is dedicated to providing equal accessibility to community trails. He advocates for trails to ensure every Iowan has an equal chance to enjoy the benefits of nearby nature and trail networks.  

“I would like to see all Iowans have better access to outdoor recreation opportunities through our trail network since everyone deserves a place in the outdoors,” Bowers said.

If you would like to learn more about how you can volunteer and advocate for trails, contact Luke at lbowers@inhf.org or 515-288-1846, ext. 39.