(Arnolds Park)– Efforts by the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation to raise $1.9 million needed by October 31st to exercise an option to purchase some environmentally sensitive land on the east edge of Arnolds Park are getting a boost. Abby Hade Terpstra, Director of Philanthropy for the INHF, says they’ve received a challenge match…
“We’re very excited to announce that we have just $125,000 left on this $1.9 million project and we’ve had the generous support with the Goodenow family come forward and offer us a challenge match as we approach the finish line. So for the next week, until next Friday, a one-to-one match up to $45,000. It’s an incredible opportunity for double giving and getting us across this finish line.”
The city of Arnolds Park, Dickinson County Conservation Board and Ducks Unlimited are also involved in the partnership with the INHF…
“The Arnolds Park Nature Area is a 73-acre property situated right by Cedar Ridge Campground and Oar’s Campground, that the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation would like to see protected as a nature space with the support of the public, and we’ve had hundreds of households support us so far on this project. We’re raising the money to be able to exercise an option to purchase, so we have until October 31st to let the folks know that we have the money in hand and we can purchase this and turn it into a wonderful community asset that will revitalize some of the wetlands that are out there, provide a safe trail corridor to get pedestrians off 240th Street, and really make an asset for the community. A beautiful green space and a piece of habitat forever.”
You can find more information and make a donation by visiting the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation’s website at inhf.org/arnolds park…
“There’s a donate button right there. Also if you’re interested in making a gift that you can pay over time, then we have an ability to set up a pledge there, too, and both the donations and pledges will go towards that challenge match.”
Again the one to one matching funds are available until next Friday, October 24th
