Heine ending service on INHF board

Posted: October 24, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Joe Jayjack, Communications Director, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation

jjayjack@inhf.org, 515-288-1846

Heine ending term of service on INHF board

DECORAH — Decorah resident Kirsten Heine is ending her term of service on the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) board of directors after 17 years as an advisor and then board member for the nonprofit conservation organization.

Heine has used her love of northeast Iowa, her passion for conservation and her background in fundraising to support the mission of INHF, which is to protect and restore Iowa’s land, water and wildlife. During Heine’s tenure with the organization, INHF has protected more than 100,000 acres across Iowa, including thousands of acres in the Driftless region.

“Kirsten is so community-minded, and INHF has benefitted from her expertise, her connections in the community and her desire to see land preserved,” said INHF President Joe McGovern. “We are grateful for her service.”

Heine has been essential in INHF’s efforts to protect land along the Upper Iowa River, including a recent campaign to purchase Heritage Valley, a 1,200-acre nature preserve between Decorah and Waukon that includes a picturesque 3-mile stretch of river winding between the woodlands and hill prairies.

Heine’s family has also protected their own land along the Upper Iowa River with multiple conservation easements, permanently preserving land for wildlife habitat, water quality and scenic views.

“It truly has been a joy and honor to serve on the board of INHF and help to uplift its inspiring mission,” Heine said. “For my husband David and me, INHF is a deeply personal connection and passion. We believe in the impactful mission and vision — as it is “Good and True” and benefits all Iowans — and even more importantly it ensures that same benefit for the  generations to come. This service has been most meaningful for me, and I look forward to continuing to be an ambassador and advocate for INHF.”

INHF board and staff will be in Decorah Oct. 26-27 for a celebration of a Forest Legacy program easement at Heritage Valley, an INHF donor reception and their board of directors meeting, which is held every other month in different locations around the state.

Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation is a nonprofit conservation group that works with private landowners and public partners to protect and restore Iowa’s land, water and wildlife. Since its founding in 1979, INHF has helped protect more than 195,000 acres of Iowa’s natural resources. Learn more at www.inhf.org