Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation

Posts in category Blog Posts

close-up image of orange lichen growing on a tree branch

A lichen for all seasons (Posted May 4, 2026)

Learn about lichens - fungi that "farm" photosynthetic algae or cyanobacteria. 

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INHF President Joe McGovern (left) and Dick Ramsay (right) pictured with the Brush of Excellence

Ramsay awarded Brush of Excellence (Posted April 30, 2026)

Last Friday, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation awarded Richard “Dick” Ramsay the Brush of Excellence for his lifetime achievements in conservation and contributions to conserving Iowa's land and water.

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Sally Ortgies standing on lake jetty with arms outstretched

Oh, the places to go in Iowa (Posted April 23, 2026)

An Iowan sets out to visit every county park in the state

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Image of grassland and woodland with overlayed text "What flows together, grows together. New Klingman Etringer WMA in Clayton County creates more public access and honors family legacy"

What flows together, grows together (Posted April 23, 2026)

New Klingman Etringer WMA in Clayton County creates more public access and honors family legacy

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Aerial image of Chariton River Greenbelt Addition with the words "Lanscape-scale Protection" overlayed

Landscape-scale Protection (Posted April 20, 2026)

Learn how a gap in a protected river corridor was filled — despite a gap in funding. 

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Text that says "How Giving Gives Back"

How Giving Gives Back (Posted April 17, 2026)

Here’s a look back at just a few of the protection projects INHF supporters made possible, how the health of those lands and waters have improved since protection, and a snapshot of the species who have benefited from your generosity.

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Images of birds and flowers representing colors in the rainbow

Acorn Crew: Iowa's Rainbow (Posted April 16, 2026)

Spring in Iowa is alive with colors! Birds migrate back and flowers begin to bloom. There’s even fish, bugs, butterflies and colorful tree blooms to find. You have a whole rainbow of colors to explore in Iowa. When you’re walking through your neighborhood, out at the playground or visiting your county and state parks, you can look out for some of these rainbow birds and flowers.

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Conservation Champions

Conservation Champions (Posted April 9, 2026)

Story and photos with a spotlight on land donor Judith Bechtum

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bird nest

Bird Bedding Basics (Posted April 1, 2026)

Humans like to toss all kinds of things into our yards for birds to use. Hair from a brush, freshly groomed dog fur, scrap bits of sewing projects, dryer lint. We like to help and we like to think of nestlings cozied up in a soft, warm home, but not everything is as helpful as we’d like.

Since baby birds deserve a soft, warm, and safe nest, it’s important to know what’s safe and what isn’t.

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Maps showing how the concentration and extent of light pollution across Iowa has changed since 2006

It's Time to (Not) See the Light (Posted March 26, 2026)

Learn how excess light is affecting our world. 

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Scenic landscape of Upper Iowa River and bluffs

Opening Thoughts: Our Shared Home (Posted March 25, 2026)

Incoming INHF Board Chair David Brown shares his thoughts as he assumes his new role. 

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Red-winged blackbird sitting on top of cattails with a text bubble that says We're Back!

Welcome home, birds! (Posted March 24, 2026)

Each spring brings back birds we haven’t seen since they left Iowa last fall. April – May is a great time to watch your backyard, your favorite park or the playground at school for the return of our feathered friends.

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