Staff

Joe McGovern

President

Nature has always been a common thread throughout Joe’s life, from discovering the natural lakes and Boone River in Wright Co. as a boy to first date hikes with his wife Molly. Throughout his conservation career, first with Story County Conservation and then with INHF, Joe has admired Iowa’s subtle beauty and strived to bring a sense of wildness to the state. He’s enjoyed watching his three kids grow and find nature in their own ways, and hopes to create places for every Iowan to find their own outdoor connections. 

(515) 288-1846, ext. 16
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Sydney Algreen-Hunter

Communications Associate

Sydney has traveled the world visiting rainforests, mountains and oceans but always feels most at home in Iowa’s prairies. She credits her childhood and her internships with INHF and Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge for instilling in her a sense of wonder for the prairie landscape. After working in the county conservation system and with local nonprofits, Sydney found her way back to INHF. She holds a degree in Forestry and Spanish from Iowa State University. When not working, Sydney enjoys traveling, tending to her garden, and most of all seeing the natural world with renewed awe as she explores with her family. 

Contact Sydney about: INHF publications, merchandise, photos and website inquiries

515-288-1846, ext. 36
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Ross Baxter

Senior Land Protection Director and Counsel

Here’s what you do: Find Cold Water Creek WMA in your sportsman’s atlas. Go to the west parking lot up on the hill, not the one at the bottom by the bridge. Follow the two-track down to the stream at the base of the bluff. Hop the limestone boulders across the creek and follow the lane until it narrows into a footpath. On your right you’ll see a meadow of trout lilies and a 50-foot bluff face. Take off your shoes, wade through the cold water and limestone rocks until you reach the spring that bubbles from the base of the cliff. Sit. Enjoy it. Take it in.

Contact Ross about: Protecting your land for conservation, INHF-owned property, Iowa’s secret spots

515-288-1846, ext. 30
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Maeve Bittle

Conservation Easement Assistant

Having grown up in a military family with extended family in Iowa, Maeve found herself spending several childhood summers running around her grandparents’ farm in Wright County. After graduating from the University of Iowa with a degree in engineering, she decided to dive into the world of natural resources. Maeve has previously worked at the University of Iowa, in the Cascade Mountains, and at the Redwood National and State Parks. She decided to return to Iowa to explore the world of conservation non-profits and be closer to family. She is passionate about trees, water quality, and rocks. When Maeve isn’t hiking through state and national parks, you can find her at the library or a craft store.

515-288-1846, ext. 33
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Andrea Boulton

Trails and Community Conservation Director

Andrea thinks of trails as the world’s best gateway drug: A connection to the outdoors that provides a path to nature for everyone. For every trail war story (literal burned bridges, heated negotiations), she also has an inspiring story of small Iowa communities working together to bring natural connections to their residents. When not dreaming of new Iowa trails, Andrea enjoys traveling the world — mostly for wine — and cheering on her husband Nate at marathons across the country.

Contact Andrea about: Current trail projects happening across the state, how to start a trail project in your community

515-288-1846, ext. 27
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Jered Bourquin

Blufflands Associate

Jered grew up along the Apple River in northwest Illinois, traversing its canyon and nurturing his complicated relationship with the fish known as trout. After a stint at Luther College in Decorah, Jered worked across the Driftless, from fish hatcheries to Fort McCoy in Wisconsin, conducting wolf howling surveys and IPA taste tests. Jered hopes to someday inherit his father’s mushroom hunting talents.

Contact Jered about: The Blufflands land stewardship internship, land restoration techniques, emerging hoppy beverages

563-382-2008
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Rylan Boyer

Volunteer Coordinator

“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.”-John Muir

This quote encompasses Rylan’s life in many ways. From growing up on a farm, to adventures on back country roads and backpacking across the Sierra Mountains, quite a few of the paths he has taken have been dirt. Rylan’s love and respect for nature started at a young age, hunting and fishing on his family farm in NW Missouri. His love for nature has transformed over the years, now enjoying hiking, biking (preferably down a gravel road), and camping with his wife, Kaitlin, and dog, Ranger. As an escape from the repetitiveness and the stressors in life, those dirt paths are his happy place.

Contact Rylan about: INHF volunteer events and opportunities

515-288-1846, ext. 35
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Jessica Riebkes Clough

Land Conservation Specialist

A native Iowan, Jessica grew up in Cedar Falls, which is still one of her favorite places to enjoy bike trails. Jessica has always appreciated the outdoors, but fell in love with Iowa’s prairies through a biology degree at Central College. After finishing a masters program at UNI studying prairies, Jessica came to INHF, first as a grant writing intern and later as lending a hand with stewardship and conservation easements. In her spare time, Jessica enjoys gardening, looking for new patches of Liatris, traveling to national parks and cheering for the Chicago Cubs.

Contact Jessica about: land protection options, easement monitoring, great public prairies

515-288-1846, ext. 38
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Stacie Couvillon

Planned Giving and Major Gifts Officer

Stacie grew up in Lincoln, NE and spent time exploring state parks in central & eastern Nebraska with her family. In college Stacie pursued her interest in the natural world by majoring in Biology and spending several summers doing botanical field research in southwest Virginia. These research experiences led her to her graduate work in plant population genetics in Tennessee. Stacie and her husband relocated to Des Moines in 2007 and started their family. More recently Stacie has been working for several nonprofits in the Des Moines area. Stacie is excited to join the INHF team and merge her love for the natural world with her professional nonprofit experiences. In her free time Stacie enjoys teaching yoga, reading and hanging out with her husband, son and daughter.

Contact Stacie about: Estate planning and creating your conservation legacy

515-288-1846, ext. 45
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Kevin Cutsforth

System Administrator

Raised in Cedar Rapids, Kevin fondly remembers family bikes rides along the Cedar Valley Nature Trail and Sac and Fox Trail. Camping trips, fishing, canoeing and just exploring nature eventually led Kevin to integrate his passion for the outdoors into his education and career. With a B.S. in environmental science, a certificate in sustainability, and years of data management experience, Kevin utilizes his knowledge to develop, manage and enhance INHF’s CRM database and manage all-things-technology. When he isn’t in front of a screen, Kevin enjoys getting outdoors with his family to local splashpads, playgrounds, and nature trails. 

Contact Kevin about: INHF's database and maps

515-288-1846, ext. 21
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Brian Fankhauser

Senior Land Stewardship and Blufflands Director

Brian grew up in Williams, IA, pursuing catfish and smallmouth bass in the Boone River and wild turkeys and trout near Lansing with his dad. Readied with an Animal Ecology degree from Iowa State, Brian developed a passion for the prairie pothole landscape while with Hamilton County Conservation (along with an affinity for traditional archery), and later came to INHF. He now resides in Decorah with his wife and two children, and gets to work with passionate landowners and partners to help steward and permanently protect natural areas in northeast Iowa and around the state.

Contact Brian about: Statewide natural area restoration and stewardship, and land protection in northeast Iowa.

563-382-2008
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Diane Graves

Administrative Assistant

Diane was born in Boonville, Mo., but has been an Iowan since she moved to Des Moines when she was 5 years old. She loves spring in Iowa for the return of the birds and smell of new life in the air, and she loves fall for the changing colors. Diane’s favorite thing to do outside is go for walks. She enjoys talking with long-time members and people new to INHF, and helping them find the people and information they need. 

Contact Diane about: General INHF questions

515-288-1846, ext. 10
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Anna Gray

Public Policy Director and Counsel

As a southern Iowa farm girl, Anna found her love for nature while picking wildflowers from the cow pastures, tromping through Shoal Creek and spotting wildlife in the timber. Using her education from Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Drake University Law School, she hopes to shape policy that promotes sustainable agriculture, preserves natural resources and connects people with the outdoors —providing all Iowans an opportunity to enjoy the state’s natural wonders.

Contact Anna about: INHF public policy priorities and advocating for Iowa's natural resources

515-288-1846, ext. 41
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Erin Griffin

Donor Relations Officer

Erin enjoys bringing INHF supporters together to celebrate their shared passion for Iowa’s land, water and wildlife. As a life-long Iowan, Erin enjoys time around the water, our trails in Central Iowa and seeing the beauty of nature through her son and daughters' eyes. Contact Erin about: joining the INHF community, events and gifts of stock

515-288-1846, ext. 11
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Lisa Hein

Senior Director for Conservation Programs

Lisa was born in California, grew up in Colorado and is frequently asked, “Why are you here?” She moved to Iowa to study Landscape Architecture at Iowa State and through that program learned about the beauty of the Iowa landscape. Since starting at INHF in 1988, she has grown to love Iowa even more through working with landowners, communities and individuals to protect land, establish greenways and secure trails. In her spare time, she coaches figure skating with the Ames Figure Skating Club, is active with the Story County Master Gardeners, is a founding board member of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition and enjoys raising wild monarchs.

Contact Lisa about: Land protection, Iowa trails and community projects

515-288-1846, ext. 23
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Joe Jayjack

External Affairs Director

Joe grew up in Council Bluffs, and some of his earliest memories of the outdoors include watching eagles migrate through Hitchcock Nature Area. With a background in journalism, Joe enjoys combining his love of storytelling and nature to share the great work of INHF and talk about the importance of protecting our land, water and wildlife. He manages INHF’s communications department, including Iowa Natural Heritage magazine. Joe loves connecting with Iowa’s beautiful natural areas by bike with his wife and two kids. 

Contact Joe about: Media inquiries, outreach events, sponsorship opportunities and advocacy.

515-288-1846, ext. 19
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Heather Jobst

Senior Land Protection Facilitator

Throughout her life, Heather has found a deep connection with nature, whether at her family's farm, in middle school science classes (taught by the famous Chris Adkins) or searching wooded trails for spring ephemerals. Working in conservation in her home state is meaningful to Heather, because she sees Iowa as a state that needs the work the most. When not in the office or traversing the state, you can find her in the garden.

Contact Heather about: Potential land protection opportunities, current and former INHF projects

515-288-1846, ext. 32
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Susan Johnson

Chief Financial Officer

Susan grew up in eastern Iowa along the Mississippi River and has fond memories of time spent down by the river and exploring Shimek Forest. These days, she enjoys walking the trails with her husband near their home in Carlisle, one of which runs through their backyard. She has three daughters currently living in three different states and enjoys visiting them in Kansas City and Nashville. She holds a degree in accounting from Central College.

Contact Susan about: Questions about INHF's finances

515-809-5032, ext. 39
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Bill Kohler

Eastern Iowa Land Stewardship Director

Bill grew up on a working horse farm in rural Spotsylvania County, Virginia, where he developed a deep love of the outdoors and appreciation of natural history. Bill holds a degree in Psychology from James Madison University in Virginia. He later went back to school and earned a degree in Natural Resource Management from Colorado State University, and has spent the better part of the past decade working for the Fort Collins Natural Areas Program. Bill looks forward to exploring eastern Iowa with his family (his wife is from Iowa City), and getting to know the area's prairies and other lands he'll be stewarding.

Contact Bill about: Land stewardship and protection in eastern Iowa

(515) 809-5681
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Destiny Magee

Eastern Iowa Land Stewardship Assistant

Destiny grew up in Waterloo and fell in love with the prairie after taking a course through the Tallgrass Prairie Center at the University of Northern Iowa. After graduating from UNI with an undergraduate degree in conservation and natural resources and a master’s in biology, she gained experience working around the state and previously worked for the Bur Oak Land Trust. When Destiny isn’t working, you might find her camping and kayaking or indoors with a book in her hand and a cat in her lap.  

Contact Destiny about: Habitat restoration in eastern Iowa

515-809-9036
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Emily Martin

Conservation Programs Coordinator

Throughout her childhood, you could usually find Emily in one of two places: on a trail or in a stream. As she explored the many creeks near her hometown of Fort Dodge, she developed an interest in water quality. This interest eventually led her to Iowa State University where she earned a B.S. and M.S. in Environmental Science with an emphasis on water quality. She now utilizes this knowledge to write conservation grants that protect Iowa’s land, water and wildlife at INHF. In her spare time, you can still find Emily in, on or near a stream.

Contact Emily about: Grants, water quality, climate change, regenerative agriculture and the conservation programs internship

515-288-1846, ext. 40
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Patrick McNaughton

Blufflands Land Stewardship Assistant

Growing up in eastern Iowa, Patrick became interested in wildlife while exploring parks along the Cedar River. This lifelong passion for nature led him to study at Kirkwood Community College and UW- Stevens Point. Being a traveler at heart, he went on to work in some faraway places such as the California Redwoods, the mountains of central Idaho, and the temperate rainforests of New Zealand, but the prairies and rolling hills of Iowa kept calling him back. Today you can find Patrick in the Driftless region, patrolling bluffs and pursuing trout.

Contact Patrick about: The Blufflands land stewardship internship, habitat restoration, birds of prey

563-382-2008
Email

Derek Miner

Land Stewardship Associate

Derek found a passion for conservation at a young age after a naturalist told his school group to lay down in a tallgrass prairie and just listen. After establishing that special connection with the prairie landscape, he realized an inherent love for Iowa's native plants and animals. He expanded that interest by studying Biology and Environmental Studies at Central College in Pella, Ia. Derek and his dog, Leopold, often hang out on random tracts of public land pursuing wild game, identifying flora and fauna, hiking the hills and gaining a new perspective on what it means to be out-of-doors.

Contact Derek about: The statewide land stewardship internship, land restoration, great public hunting spots

515-288-1846, ext. 17
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Erica Place

Communications & Outreach Manager

Originally from a suburb of Houston, Texas, Erica has always sought out quiet, natural spaces. An Animal Ecology degree from ISU and many subsequent nature jobs have helped her foster an unwavering passion for protecting and improving the environment and gives a unique lens to her work in communications. Erica spends her free time with binoculars in hand (self-proclaimed bird nerd), loves to hike and garden, and strives to help others find their own connection with nature.   

Contact Erica about: social media, outreach, and the communications internship 

515-288-1846, ext. 26
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Taryn Samuels

Development Specialist

Taryn has always had a deep connection to and appreciation for the outdoors. Growing up in Des Moines and St. Charles, she has fond memories of sleeping under the stars, wading in streams searching for cool rocks, driftwood and other treasures. Spending time in nature continues to be a huge part of Taryn’s life.  Teaching her daughters to be curious about nature and witnessing their love and connection with nature and animals has been her greatest accomplishment. Taryn holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies and minor in Native American Studies from the University of Iowa.

Contact Taryn about: updating your contact information or your annual giving status

515-288-1846, ext. 44
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Tylar Samuels

Conservation Easement Specialist

Tylar was raised in Des Moines and St. Charles, and fondly remembers family picnics at the top of Clark’s Tower and splashing in Clanton Creek in Madison Co. After college, Tylar spent several years witnessing the tremendous natural beauty of California redwoods and Florida’s gulf coast while working in the conservation field. In 2008, Tylar returned to Iowa, thinking how wonderful it would be to do conservation work in a place where she had roots as deep as the prairie plants.

Contact Tylar about: Private land protection, with emphasis on conservation easements, including existing conservation easements

515-288-1846, ext. 34
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Ryan Schmidt

Central Iowa Land Stewardship Director

Ryan grew up in the small southeast Iowa town of Keswick. He spent his early years hunting and fishing with his family on their family farms, all the while learning about and developing a keen interest in and passion for Iowa’s outdoors. This interest led Ryan to pursue a degree in Environmental Science at Central College in Pella. When not working to protect and restore Iowa’s precious natural areas, Ryan enjoys playing and watching sports, hunting, fishing and spending time with friends.

Contact Ryan about: INHF land management activities and stewardship resources in central Iowa.

515-288-1846, ext. 13
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Abby Hade Terpstra

Director of Philanthropy

Abby is a boomerang, returning to her home state of Iowa after journeying first east and then west for 12 years. She grew up in Ames ambling around Munn Woods, amassing elaborate collections of natural objects, and absorbed in field guides for birds, insects and plants. With a degree in Outdoor Education from Northland College and a penchant for nonprofits, Abby is happy to have found her way to INHF. When not diligently at her desk, Abby can be found delighting in her kids, experimenting in the kitchen, and dreaming of future hobbies.

Contact Abby about: Creating your conservation legacy, considering a special gift or tribute, ways to protect the Iowa land you own, and how to support INHF's work and projects.

515-288-1846, ext. 15
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Erin Van Waus

Conservation Easement Director

Between walking beans, passing time at her favorite fishing hole and riding horses at Stone State Park, Erin got the full farm kid experience in her hometown of Remsen. Erin’s first introduction to INHF was as a land stewardship intern, where she fell in love with the prairie (and her husband, a fellow intern) and grew an appreciation for things greater than herself. She joined the staff in 2010. As a mother of two, Erin is in awe of the permanent impact landowners are making to protect Iowa’s wildlife habitat, beauty and open spaces for the wonder of future generations.

Contact Erin about: Conservation easements, private land protection options

515-288-1846, ext. 29
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Kari Walker

Human Resources Director

If she’s being honest, most of the time Kari wishes she was somewhere in the woods, relaxing by a fire, zero charge to her cell phone, hanging out with her kids, husband and dog. When that’s not the reality, Kari’s happy helping the nature magic happen in the INHF office, surrounded by her passionate coworkers and love for Iowa’s natural spaces until the next camping trip arrives.

Contact Kari about: Job openings, board and advisor information and general office inquiries

515-288-1846, ext. 25
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Kody Wohlers

Loess Hills Land Stewardship Director

Kody has always enjoyed the outdoors, working with his hands on his family's farm in western Iowa, and putting in a hard day’s work. Originally from Missouri Valley, IA, he attended Central College in Pella and graduated with a major in Environmental Science with a Biology minor. Kody's Loess Hills roots run deep. Prior to joining INHF he worked for Pottawattamie County Conservation and has long been an active member in the Loess Hills Fire Partners.

Contact Kody about: Land stewardship and protection in the Loess Hills.

402-578-1935
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