Blog

INHF and our partners are working to expand Vincent Bluff Nature Preserve in the heart of the Loess Hills in Council Bluffs.

In 2010, 63% of Iowa voters approved a constitutional amendment to create the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund, establishing a permanent, dedicated revenue stream for water quality, soil conservation, habitat protection, and local park enhancements. However, 16 years later, the Trust remains empty because the necessary 3/8ths-of-a-cent sales tax increase required to activate it has yet to be implemented. 

This blog series highlights and acknowledges our dedicated board members. Lending their time and talents on a volunteer basis for the protection of Iowa’s land, water and wildlife, INHF’s board members show an incredible amount of dedication and expertise. Our board members come from every region of the state, connecting our work with communities, landowners and organizations that help to make more conservation happen. See a full list of board members here and learn more about Brenda Mainwaring below!

Bob and Patti Jester believe there’s beauty in Iowa that’s worth protecting and have spent much of their lives quietly supporting Iowa’s outdoors. 

As colder weather arrives, many species of birds leave their summer homes. Look up and you’ll see flocks flying south for the winter… but why do birds migrate?

INHF welcomes Kristen Graves to the Development Team. Kristen, a lifelong, fifth-generation Iowan, joined the INHF team in late September as the Data Entry Associate.

Conservationists, natural resource advocates, and outdoor enthusiasts have long understood clean water as foundational to community vitality and quality of life and have worked tirelessly to protect it. Safe drinking water is essential to our basic health. Lakes, rivers, and streams offer the pastimes and traditions that enrich our lives and put our communities on the map. More recently, though, Iowa’s water has captured the attention of a much broader audience — making national headlines and inspiring new conservation advocates across our state.

A new 422-acre addition to the Heritage Hills Wildlife Management Area in Madison and Clarke counties has been transferred to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and opened to the public.

This blog series highlights and acknowledges our dedicated board members. Lending their time and talents on a volunteer basis for the protection of Iowa’s land, water and wildlife, INHF’s board members show an incredible amount of dedication and expertise. Our board members come from every region of the state, connecting our work with communities, landowners and organizations that help to make more conservation happen. See a full list of board members here and learn more about Neil Hamilton below!

INHF works statewide, traveling to every corner of Iowa to protect cherished places, steward sensitive landscapes, advocate for nature. As an entirely donor-supported, nonprofit, accredited land trust, the organization’s structure and function differs from many other conservation organizations across the state. But not across the nation. As a member of the Land Trust Alliance (LTA) — a nationwide network of nearly 950 land trusts — INHF staff have the opportunity to connect with other land trusts at Rally. 

Once a vital part of survival, foraging has become more of a hobby than a necessity. Foraging is a good way to get a greater understanding of the plants that make up your local environment.

What do crafts, advocacy and the outdoors have in common? Zines (pronounced zeens), short for fanzines, are a way to combine several interests into one! Is there a cause or area of interest you want to share with the world? Try publishing your own zine!