About Us

Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) is a statewide 501 (c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization that works with private landowners and public agencies to protect and restore Iowa’s land, water and wildlife. Since our founding in 1979, our supporters and staff have protected more than 200,000 acres of Iowa’s natural resources.

INHF was the first land trust in Iowa to receive national accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.

Our History

INHF was founded in 1979, in part because important and threatened natural lands were being offered for sale and the Iowa DNR and county conservation boards (CCBs), who protect recreational land and nature preserves across the state, could not act quickly enough to purchase and protect them. It was painful to watch the loss of woodlands, prairies, wetlands and wildlife — especially those adjacent to treasured public parks and wildlife areas.

INHF quickly began working with private landowners statewide who wanted to sell or donate their land for conservation, and protected those places until the DNR or CCBs could secure funding to buy the land. Many of these lands become open to the public. This niche has remained at the heart of INHF’s work since the beginning.

Over the last four decades, Iowans began to work through INHF in other ways, too. Volunteers, donors and partners began to restore as well as protect Iowa’s natural places. Volunteers donate thousands of hours a year to helping Iowa’s prairies, trails and rivers. Donors are fostering the next generation of Iowa conservation leaders with an endowed internship program that serves 20 college students a year. And INHF works every day with legislators to encourage strong and permanent funding to support conservation throughout the state.

Our Mission & Values

Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation protects and restores Iowa's land, water and wildlife. Learn more about our mission, values and strategic plan for the future.

Staff Listing

Every day, INHF staff are working hard to protect Iowa's wild places and promote conservation in every corner of the state. Get to know the people behind the work.

Internships

We're dedicated to building the next generation of conservation leaders. INHF interns actively work to restore Iowa's landscapes, educate Iowans on conservation topics and make sure more land protection gets done. Learn about INHF's internship program and the many opportunities available.

Board of Directors

At the heart of our mission is a dedicated group of Iowans carving a vision and path forward for INHF's work. Meet our board of directors.

Jobs

INHF occasionally has open positions to work with our staff and is a resource for people looking to work in conservation in Iowa. Find available opportunities.

Publications

INHF produces several print publications alongside our online stories and news. Check out our most recent issues of Iowa Natural Heritage and our Annual Report, as well as several books and guides INHF has produced over the years. Discover INHF publications.