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Strong local support for Wabash Trace Nature Trail improvements This information was last updated October 15, 2009. Partners announce progress in campaign Update! Thanks to private donors, improvements underway on the 'Trace' The urgent appeal in September brought in funding to pursue the engineering work required to secure federal funds for trail improvements. Thanks to many individuals and businesses who helped, along with the Iowa West Foundation and Union Pacific. Gifts are still needed for the paving project and for additional bridge and trail repairs between Mineola and Malvern. Learn about opportunities to support the Wabash Trace Nature Trail. A three-week funding campaign for paving segments of the Wabash Trace Nature Trail found strong local support that will help the trail attract major federal funding. Trail leaders and the Mills County Conservation Board learned in early September that the trail was in line to receive up to $2 million in economic stimulus funding that may be freed from other trail projects that have cost less than expected or have fallen through. However, this opportunity depended on initial engineering design specifications being submitted by September 29th, and private funding was needed for this engineering work. A flurry of contributions from local individuals raised nearly $10,000 for the effort, and Union Pacific Foundation contributed $5,000. Then a grant of $30,000 from the Iowa West Foundation pushed the fundraising campaign for the trail past its immediate goal. “We’re glad to report this project is on track to increase the paved surface between Mineola and Malvern,” said Jerad Getter of the Mills County Conservation Board. “HGM Associates is meeting the DOT requirements, while providing a substantial amount of professional services at no cost to the trail.” “This trail has a lot of enthusiastic and loyal friends,” said Lisa Hein of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, a private nonprofit organization that is helping coordinate fundraising for the project. “It was especially great to see the renewed major commitments by some who were leaders with us in establishing this trail 20 years ago – including the Iowa West Foundation and Union Pacific. None of us wanted this urgent opportunity to slip through our fingers.”  “One of the Iowa West Foundation’s priorities is community development and we’ve been a big supporter of the Wabash Trace,” said Jerry Mathiasen, Senior Vice President for Iowa West Foundation. Mathiasen added that with the potential of the grant to help get stimulus funding to the area and with the “good timing” during Iowa West’s third-quarter deliberations, the board members were “enthusiastic” to assist on the effort. Pledges or donations are still welcome for this work. Funds are still needed for paving costs not covered by federal funds, bridge inspections and repairs where needed, and additional engineering design for trail segments between Malvern and Shenandoah so the trail can compete for more paving grants next year. The Wabash Trace Nature Trail runs 63 miles between Council Bluffs and Blanchard, through Page, Fremont, Mills and Pottawattamie Counties. Trail leaders are working toward paving the center section of the trail between Mineola and Shenandoah, while leaving the current crushed limestone surface on the northern and southern sections of the trail. “Different kinds of trail users prefer different kinds of surfaces,” Getter said. “Hopefully the Wabash Trace can provide something for everyone.” Gifts marked “Wabash Trace” may be given through the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation at www.inhf.org/wabashgifts.htm or 505 Fifth Ave., Suite 444, Des Moines, Iowa, 50309-2321. Gifts will only be used for the Wabash Trace. For more information, contact Lisa or Anita at INHF, or call 515- 288-1846. The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation is a nonprofit, conservation group that works with private landowners and other partners to protect Iowa's land, water and wildlife. Since its founding in 1979, INHF has helped protect almost 110,000 acres of Iowa’s wild places and establish 580 miles of multi-use nature trails. The Iowa West Foundation is headquartered in Council Bluffs and makes grants to non-profit and governmental organizations in southwest Iowa and eastern Nebraska, Funding for Iowa West grants comes primarily from investment income and also from the Iowa West Racing Association, which receives fees from casino operators – Ameristar and Harrah’s. For more information about the foundation visit www.iowawestfoundation.org Links: To offer your support, Donate now at INHF's secure website. Under "Project Designation," choose "Wabash Trace Nature Trail." Donations will only be used for the trail. Urgent appeal for Wabash Trace, news release (Sept. 23, 2009) More information about the trail can be found at the Wabash Trace Nature Trail website or view the Wabash Trace page, with maps, at INHF’s Iowa by Trail website.   © Copyright 2010 Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation Comments? Suggestions? Email INHF Webmaster