Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation: INHFs Strategic Plan


		The Foundation has launched a new, three-year strategic plan for 2005-2007. This triennial task helps us adapt our ongoing mission to evolving trends. Here are some trends and our responses:

Purchasing land has become more costly, complex and fast-paced, so public partners increasingly need INHF to help them buffer existing public areas, link trails and protect key watersheds. We’ll need strong funding and strong will to make bigger land purchases and hold them longer.
More private landowners are embracing natural resource restoration and protection. We’re finding new ways to help landowners establish private protection agreements (conservation easements), increasing our land stewardship capacity and promoting sustainable development.
As our state becomes more urbanized, we’ll continue efforts to educate Iowans about our natural resources—and to get them outdoors. Rather than present communities with finished projects, we’ll get local residents more involved in planning, supporting and sustaining key endeavors—making the process part of the educational opportunity.
As public conservation funding remains tenuous, we’ll continue to promote farm programs and tax incentives that reward private conservation that provides public benefits. We’ll educate citizens and policy-makers about the connection between environmental and economic health.
Help us meet these challenges by renewing your membership support, recruiting new members, reminding your elected officials that you value environmental protection, and simply introducing others to the beauty and value of Iowa’s natural resources. We need you—and many others—to bring this plan to life.

Your conservation partner,

Mark C. Ackelson

PS: A complete copy of the strategic plan is on INHF’s website or available by mail upon request.

INHF's launches new strategic plan