More Articles in 2009 Fall MagazineFeaturesIowans step up for
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We like to make it easy for Iowans to give to the things they love most.
In addition to membership gifts (which support all INHF projects), many people enjoy extra satisfaction in giving specifically to a prairie, woodland, wetland or trail. And handling donations is yet another way INHF helps our conservation partners protect public land for you to enjoy.
We celebrate the donors who helped make the final push for key projects, and we invite additional support for others “in the works.”
Especially at year-end, members ask about projects in need of extra support. Here are just a few of the diverse projects that need funds or have recently met urgent campaign goals, thanks in part to generous people who have given through INHF. |
Funded projects
Thanks to hundreds of donations, the High Trestle Trail (formerly known as the Ankeny to Woodward Trail) is on schedule. Construction on the trail’s iconic, 13-story bridge has begun (see photo). Next steps include paving this final section and adding signage and design elements. We hope to celebrate this 25-mile trail’s completion in late 2010.
Becky Roorda |
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High Trestle Trail, bridge construction |
Central Iowa’s popular Raccoon River Valley Trail continues to grow. INHF helped acquire rail corridor for a new 33-mile extension from Herndon to Waukee. The Dallas County Conservation Board and other partners had only a short window to raise matching funds for a grant. Thanks to a recent flurry of support, the deadline was met!
This fall, supporters of the Wabash Trace Nature Trail sent out an urgent appeal for private contributions to leverage federal stimulus dollars for trail improvements. Individuals, businesses and grant-funders like the Iowa West Foundation and Union Pacific Foundation met the challenge, enabling us to launch the required engineering work. Donations are still needed for the paving project plus bridge and trail repairs between Mineola and Malvern.
Joe McGovern/INHF |
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Jennett Heritage Area |
INHF is helping the Story County Conservation Board protect the Jennett Heritage Area, a diverse site south of Nevada. The property’s central ridge contains remnant prairies with great restoration potential. Its two creeks are bordered by woodlands. Though many donors have already stepped up, approximately $455,000 is still needed.
Joe McGovern/INHF |
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Silverleaf scurfpea Psoralea argophylla |
Marshall County Conservation Board needs another $120,000 to finish linking the Linn Creek Recreational Trail to two nearby trails and complete a 21-mile segment from Melbourne to Marshalltown. Early donations will be leveraged by a matching grant.
Black Hawk County Conservation Board hopes to acquire and restore Twin Springs Natural Area. The site adjoins the Cedar Valley Nature Trail, an earlier INHF project. Another $140,000 is needed.
And don’t forget the Hickory Ridge Wilderness Camp on Lake Red Rock, showcased on page 4.
To support these or other projects, visit www.inhf.org/ projectgifts – or mail or call the INHF office.
For more information, e-mail Cathy Engstrom, Director of Communications, or call (515) 288-1846.
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2010
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
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