President’s Corner

Your membership draws public support

By Mark C. Ackelson, INFH President

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This article appeared in the Fall 2005 edition of INHF's magazine.

Every issue of Iowa Natural Heritage describes conservation projects supported by your membership dollars. Many also received support from your tax dollars—often from chronically underfunded, at-risk programs like REAP. Rarely has conservation generated deep bipartisan support—let alone excitement—within the legislature.

Until now.

In a very rare action, the Iowa legislature approved a line item appropriation for a major conservation purchase: the 646-acre addition to Waubonsie State Park (details on page 4). Without this $1.5 million appropriation, plus another $1 million from the Iowa Values Fund, this special corner of Iowa’s Loess Hills could not have been protected.

Senator Hubert Houser and Representative Richard Anderson, who both represent this region, first urged its protection. Enthusiastic bi-partisan support soon grew to near-unanimous approval in multiple committees and both houses. 

Some legislators were motivated primarily by the site’s natural resources and others by its economic development potential. Either way, I was gratified to see so many people finally “get” it:  conservation is a sound, government investment in Iowa’s future.

So, is this a one-shot wonder or the beginning of broader conservation support?

We’ll know soon! As this magazine goes to press, the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources have agreed to work together to acquire 3,500 feet of natural shoreline along Big Spirit Lake at a total cost of $6.5 million We’re already getting signs of legislative support along with significant private pledges.

Where does your membership support come in? Long before these projects reach the legislature or media, they require countless staff hours­—leadership from INHF which you make possible.  Your tax dollars help complete these conservation projects, but your membership dollars put them on the table. Thank you!

Your conservation partner,

Mark C. Ackelson

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