Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation

06/04/2026

Who inspires you?

INHF is accepting nominations for the 2026 Hagie Heritage Award, given annually to someone who demonstrates extraordinary personal service and commitment to improving the quality of Iowa's natural environment and who encourages others to do the same. The award was endowed in 1989 by Jan Shindel and Ila Jeanne Logan in honor of their parents, Lawrence and Eula Hagie. The recipient receives a $1,500 prize and a hand-carved sculpture recognizing their conservation achievements.

"We wanted to recognize those people who are not seeking recognition, but are simply going the extra mile because they are committed to conservation and improving the lives of others through improving and protecting the environment,” Shindel said.

Nominations due July 1. Browse eligibility rules, the nomination process and a list of past recipients: https://www.inhf.org/what-we-do/scholarships--awards/hagie-nominations

06/01/2026

Just a few months ago, these two red fox (Vulpes vulpes) kits were born blind and deaf with chocolate-colored coats. Now, they're old enough to spend most of their time outside the den, playing and learning from mom and dad.

📸 photo by Jacob Pitzenberger

06/01/2026

In 2010, Iowans voted for a constitutional amendment to create the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund, a permanent and protected funding source dedicated to clean water, productive agricultural soils and thriving wildlife habitat. Yet 16 years later — despite growing support and a growing need — the fund remains empty.

It's time to Fund the Trust.

This summer, meetings will be held across the state to bring people together around this important issue. Gather to learn more about the Trust Fund's quality of life and economic impacts, connect with other Iowans over shared values, and be part of the grassroots effort to move this forward. We hope to see you there.

05/29/2026

Despite striking attire, the Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) is more often heard than seen, staying hidden high in the canopies of mature woodlands.

This is a bird with lots to say. Males sing a song similar to a robin's, but with what sounds like a sore throat. The females also sing, just softer and shorter, given in response to the males or while gathering nesting material. They also use a range of other vocalizations — from screeches to twitters to whistles — for courtship, while foraging, if they've detected an intruder or when bringing food back to nestlings. But most distinctive is their "chick-burrrrr" call, used by both males and females.

Listen closely and you might catch a glimpse of one hopping through the tree tops. Males sport bright red bodies and black wings during the breeding season, while the rest of the year they look similar to females with yellowish-green plumage.

📸 photo by Brian Gibbs

05/26/2026

The day is almost here — Polk County Conservation is preparing to open the newly protected 1,113-acre Brenton Slough, one of the region's most ecologically significant landscapes, on June 6, 9am-12pm! This rare mix of oak savanna, migratory bird habitat, and one of Iowa’s few true sloughs is the largest land acquisition in Polk County Conservation history.

INHF purchased the property from the Brenton family in summer of 2023. Thanks to multiple grants and more than 700 individuals and organizations who chipped in to fund its protection, Brenton Slough will forever remain an area where nature comes first despite being located in two of the fastest growing counties in the state.

More info about the protection story: https://www.inhf.org/what-we-do/protection/brenton-slough

Big news—Brenton Slough is officially opening, and you’re invited!

Enjoy nature games, discover ongoing plant and wildlife research, hunt for insects or birds, and hop on a hayrack ride with friends and family.

When: June 6, 9am–12pm
Where: Event entrance located southwest of Brenton Slough to help accommodate the crowd. Link in the comments to view the Google Maps location.

05/18/2026

Looking for ideas for a weekend getaway? Check out these birding itineraries from a few Bird Friendly Iowa communities, complete with recommendations for lodging and food. Several of the suggested birding sites are previous INHF protection projects.

Planning a birding trip?

Several Bird Friendly communities have put together multi-day itineraries for a ready-to-go birding adventure. Each itinerary outlines a suggested route, highlights species you're likely to encounter, and details on other area attractions and activities. Whether it's your first time to the state or you've lived in Iowa all your life, you're bound to discover something new!

📍Boone County Itinerary: www.visitboonecounty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Madrid-Birding-Itinerary.pdf
📍Siouxland Itinerary:https://exploresiouxland.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/BFI-Siouxland-Birding-Itinerary-DRAFT.pdf
📍Winneshiek County Itinerary:https://upperiowaaudubon.org/Documents/WinneshiekBirdingGuide_5.6.26_Compressed.pdf

The creation of these itineraries was made possible through collaboration with Bird Friendly Iowa and grant funding from Travel Iowa.

05/18/2026

The Friends of Ames High Prairie has planned a handful of evening hikes this summer, providing opportunity to explore a prairie remnant located within Ames city limits.

📅 When: June 10, July 8, August 12, and September 9, beginning at 7:00 p.m. and running till approximately 8:00 p.m.
📍Where: Behind Ames High School (20th Street & Ridgewood Ave. Ames, Iowa). Parking lot is on the northwest side of the school and is a short walk from the prairie entrance
🌾 What: Exploratory hikes led by Iowa Prairie Network members. Plans include bird and insect Identification most dates.
👕 Dress: Long pants, sturdy shoes or hiking boots, bug spray are recommended (flip flops and shorts are not!). Typical outdoor hazards like uneven terrain, ticks and poison ivy are present.
📸 Bring: Hiking poles, binoculars, camera, ID reference books... whatever will help you enjoy the experience! Children and families are welcome. There is no restroom on site.

Pohl Prairie (also referred to as Ames High Prairie) is a 22-acre designated state preserve that harbors a small tallgrass prairie remnant within Ames city limits. Spared from development by popular vote in 1971, the prairie still exists today as an environmental education area and a relic of the vegetation that once dominated Iowa’s landscape. While Pohl Prairie is owned by the school district, INHF has agreed to take on land stewardship responsibilities. The Friends of Ames High Prairie also volunteers to assist with stewardship tasks and educational opportunities like these hikes.

No RSVP is required. INCLEMENT WEATHER WARNING OR QUESTIONS: Contact Friends of Ames High Prairie member Paul Readhead at (515) 232-5407

05/15/2026

Calling all anglers, hikers, hunters, and general lovers of nature/cool topography/fish hatcheries/water quality (this place has it all) —

Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation is fundraising to protect approximately 192 acres along the Spring Branch Creek coldwater trout stream near Manchester in Delaware County. The property lies adjacent to the Manchester Fish Hatchery, which is the hatchery from which all stockable Iowa trout originate. Protection of this upland and floodplain will help improve the quality of water flowing through the hatchery and maintain existing fishing access on the 3/4 mile stretch that flows through the property.

Spring Branch Creek maintains populations of wild Brown Trout and Slimy Sculpin, an Iowa Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). The woodland is predominantly white oak along with shagbark hickory, walnut and hackberry, while the balance of the area is restorable grassland.

In addition to seeking grant funding and other partnerships, INHF has a goal to raise $250,000 in private donations. Your support will help make this protection project possible so it can be preserved and open for all to enjoy.

Donate or pledge your support today: https://www.inhf.org/what-we-do/protection/springbranch

05/08/2026

In 2020, Iowa’s first state park, Backbone State Park, celebrated its 100th birthday. To mark this milestone, Sally Ortgies and her husband, Tony, set their own ambitious goal: to visit every state park in Iowa.

Sally’s husband began mapping out routes and, over the next year and a half, Sally and Tony hiked, camped and explored their way through 93 state parks and recreation areas.

The project was a true show of love and support for state parks in all their forms, but Sally isn’t new to showing love and support for Iowa’s parks. She dedicated her entire career to West Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department, beginning as a landscape architect and eventually serving as the Department’s director. When Sally retired in 2023, she took some time to rest.

“I sat around and enjoyed a spring sitting on my patio, reading books, and then I started feeling like I needed something to do,” Sally explains. “And I just thought to myself, ‘Oh, loved doing that state park thing. What if I did every county park in Iowa, too?’”

Sally had documented her state park visits under the social media channels on Facebook and Instagram. One day, Sally filmed and posted an announcement that she was undertaking a new venture to visit all of Iowa’s county parks.

“And then,” Sally says with a grin, “I got to thinking. I have no idea how many county parks there are.”

Read more about Sally's ongoing adventure on our blog: https://www.inhf.org/about-us/blog/2026/04/23/oh-the-places-to-go-in-iowa