Program areas at INHF
Land protection and stewardship:during the 12-month fiscal year july 1, 2022 to june 30, 2023, inhf protected 35 conservation properties totaling 6,032 acres. Of these, 23 properties have been or will be transferred to a public conservation agency for public enjoyment. Five properties will be owned and stewarded by inhf and seven conservation easements on privately owned lands were accepted by inhf.numerous landowners chose to permanently protect wildlife habitat, open space, and agricultural areas with inhf. All inhf held conservation easements are monitored annually by visiting the property and talking with the landowner. Since 1979, inhf has helped protect over 194,419 acres of land across iowa.this includes important protection in priority regions such as the loess hills of western Iowa, upper Mississippi river blufflands, Iowa great lakes and prairie pothole regions. Inhf works towards the creation of larger stretches of inter-connected protected conservation lands that improve wildlife habitat and offers management for improved soil health, water quality and outdoor recreation.
Creating impact statewide and beyond:inhf excels in public and private collaborations that bring organizations and agencies together for action. In fy 2023, inhf led partnerships to restore extensive prairie and pollinator habitat across Iowa, and to conduct ecological stewardship on Natural and conservation lands. Because Iowa's landscape and land-use choices are strongly shaped by public policy and funding, inhf collaborates in a non-partisan way to support conservation policy. This creates tomorrow's conservation opportunities in Iowa through stronger state public policies and funding that help protect and restore Iowa's Natural lands, working lands and wildlife habitat along with recreation, trails, and water resources. Advocacy also helps protect state and federal tax incentives for land protection.inhf supports the development and implementation of long-range conservation plans. Inhf's land conservation and trail projects help fulfill multiple long-range plans developed by federal, state and county agencies such as the Iowa wildlife action plan, Iowa monarch conservation consortium action plan, Iowa bicycle-pedestrian and trails plan, prairie pothole joint venture, multiple watershed management authority priorities, protected water areas plan, Iowa nutrient reduction strategy, and the Iowa open spaces plan.
Connecting people with nature:our donor-supported organization works statewide to protect our Natural Heritage - Iowa's prairies, woodlands, waters and open spaces. Each year we work on dozens of projects that increase the number of acres available to the public for outdoor recreation, support private landowners in placing permanent protection on their properties with our conservation easement program, help coordinate the continued growth of Iowa's network of multi-use trails with our trails and greenways program, get over 1,000 people of every age out on the land with our volunteer program, establish conservation legacies with our planned giving program, and give 20+ college students meaningful and educational employment with our intern program. In addition, we steward a range of inhf-owned properties, some of which are open to the public.interested landowners learn about options for permanent land protection through printed materials, online resources and personal communication with inhf staff. Inhf introduces people to Iowa's conservation challenges and shares stories of conservation success in our quarterly magazine, media outreach, strong digital and social media communication, and co-sponsored events and conferences. In 2023, inhf hosted the national north american prairie conference welcoming prairie enthusiasts from across the country and from several other countries as well.