Deep roots

In the early 1980s, Gilda Boyer was an undergraduate student at Cornell College in Linn County, Iowa. On the weekends, Gilda and her friends would visit Palisades-Kepler State Park. There, students could gather on banks of the Cedar River or roam all weekend through the park’s dense woodland.

“It was called ‘the Pal’ on campus,” said Gilda, remembering her time at the park and on Cornell College’s campus in Mount Vernon, Iowa fondly.

Clark McLeod, born and raised in Cedar Rapids, also has a special connection to Palisades-Kepler State Park. 

“It was a place where I could truly explore nature,” said Clark. “Rugged terrain, 800 acres of native forests, and remarkable trails.”

Gilda and Clark both grew lives for themselves in the soil of Linn County. With their loving and supportive spouses, they both developed successful professional lives and became essential members of Linn County’s community. Over time, they have both found ways to make conservation part of the ecosystem of their daily lives. 

Gilda went on to serve with Cornell’s Board of Trustees and currently sits on Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation’s Board of Directors. Gilda embodies her dedication to conservation in the stewardship of her own land — she and her husband Barry have worked to restore their 30-acre dream property, “White Oak,” back to its sand prairie and oak savanna roots.  

Clark, a self-described “serial entrepreneur,” founded several successful businesses. Now, he works as the CEO and co-founder of the Monarch Research Project. On behalf of its namesake butterfly, the non-profit supports the conservation needs of monarchs and other pollinators. 

Clark’s nonprofit also prioritizes responding to Linn County’s unique conservation and restoration needs. The 2020 derecho devastated Linn County’s trees and ecosystems. With a focus on regrowing what was lost, the Monarch Research Project also funds native tree plantings for residents.

Recently, Cornell College decided to sell a 10-acre parcel of woodland. The forested area fits perfectly into a gap on Palisades-Kepler’s eastern border and into the lives of Gilda and Clark.  

From the beginning of the process, the College prioritized a sale that would preserve the land as greenspace. 

“At Cornell College, conservation, greenspace, and outdoor recreation are deeply integrated into our mission through a focus on well-being, engaged citizenship, and civic responsibility,” Rob Levis, Vice President and CFO of Cornell College, said of the College’s decision. 

When Joe McGovern, President of Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, heard that Cornell was invested in finding a way to make this property an addition to the state park, he knew exactly who to call. People with deep roots in the community. 

Gilda supported her alma mater and the county she calls home with enthusiasm. She recalls that the decision to make a donation towards the purchase was an easy one. 

“My husband and I both graduated from Cornell,” said Gilda. “We have a deep appreciation of the College, Mount Vernon, and the community. When I chatted with my husband, Barry, he said ‘Absolutely. Let’s do it.’”

Clark didn’t hesitate to give the project his support either. The conservation of woodland reflected the Monarch Research Project’s dedication to Iowa’s native trees. According to Clark it took “all of about 10 seconds” before he signed on as a major donor.

“My wife, Mary, and I want to make sure Palisades-Kepler remains one of the most outstanding destinations in Iowa,” said Clark.

With unwavering certainty, people and organizations who support the foundation of conservation in Linn County came together in support of Palisades-Kepler State Park and our partners at the Iowa DNR.

“When INHF understands the motivations and passions of our donors and board members, we can quickly connect interested folks to meaningful projects,” said Abby Hade Terpstra, Director of Philanthropy. “This project is the epitome of that.”

Gilda agrees. “Moments when your connections help preserve Iowa is one of the great pleasures of serving on a board like INHF’s,” said Gilda. “It’s great for everyone. It’s great for Iowans who want to use state parks, it’s great for Cornell and their historic connection to ‘the Pal’ and it’s great for INHF’s mission.”

These parts of Linn County — the people, the college, the park — are deeply connected. Those tangled roots in a single Iowa county brought the project together.

“My great-grandfather came to Cedar Rapids in 1887, married his wife in 1896 and helped build the city’s commercial and civic institutions,” said Clark when asked about his connections to Linn County. “You can see my roots are pretty deep.”