Your Heart is Showing

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This article first appeared in INHF's Winter 2008 magazine.

Anita O'Gara, INHF Vice President and Director of Development

Mark Ackelson, who usually writes in this corner, is sharing this space in future issues so that others among our staff can also share their thoughts with you.

Today, as I tally the work and fun at INHF during 2007, I’m a little overwhelmed by the commitment, the generosity, the heart of our members.

I’m deeply impressed by the 31 individuals or families who protected a place they love by donating land or conservation easements to INHF last year. Imagine the deep commitment that moves a landowner to that level of generosity!

Many of you gave to INHF at the holidays in honor of loved ones — and with each tribute or gift membership, I feel how proud and eager you are to honor this shared love of nature and Iowa.

Each time I sign a letter thanking a member who has given consistently to conservation for 15, 20, sometimes more than 25 years, I admire that steadfast loyalty. Those members are living examples of an enduring respect for the land and respect for future generations.

This year-end was extra special, as The Des Moines Register and other media gave powerful coverage to our new Campaign for The Bluffs, The Hills, The Lakes. They told of our vision for protecting 15,000 acres in five years in the Bluffs Country of northeast Iowa, the Loess Hills and at Iowa’s largest natural lakes with an accelerated pace, in addition to our usual work statewide. And people responded to this vision. Strangers as well as Foundation friends sent gifts of all sizes, unbidden, to help protect these precious lands.

Please know how often we sense the heart and motivation behind your generosity and your actions. Especially at year-end, as we tally the impact of our whole community of 7,000 Foundation members working in solidarity, it renews our drive and enthusiasm for the work ahead.

You give me hope. I know that together we’ll continue to change Iowa for the better in amazing ways—because we have heart!

Anita O’Gara
Vice President and Director of Development

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