Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
Description
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation is a statewide nonprofit conservation organization that works with private landowners and public agencies to protect and restore Iowa’s land, water and wildlife. It was founded in 1979, when threatened natural lands were being sold faster than state and county agencies could act to protect them. It is based in Des Moines, Iowa, with a second office in Decorah.
The organization works with landowners who want to sell or donate land for conservation, holding it until a state or county agency can secure funding to buy it permanently. Many of these sites later become public land open for recreation. It also protects land through conservation easements, in which owners keep their property but give up certain rights such as farming or mining.
Since its founding, INHF has helped protect more than 200,000 acres across nearly all of Iowa’s counties. It relies on volunteers, donors and partners to restore prairies, trails and rivers, and it runs an endowed internship program for college students. It was the first land trust in Iowa to receive national accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.
Latest news
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25 Sep 2026
What do crafts, advocacy and the outdoors have in common? Zines are a way to combine several interests into one!
24 Sep 2026
Duck, duck, don't: Is it okay to feed wild ducks?
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4 Sep 2026
Matt O'Connor to Receive 2026 Hagie Heritage Award
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation has selected Matt O’Connor of Hopkinton to receive the 2026 Lawrence and Eula Hagie Heritage Award.
28 Aug 2026
The gray fox is a unique, charismatic animal and they’re native to Iowa, so why have so few Iowans ever seen one?
24 Aug 2026
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