Senate Concurrent Resolution 113 PAG LIN 1 1 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. ___ 1 2 BY LUNDBY and CONNOLLY 1 3 (COMPANION TO HCR 113 BY RAECKER) 1 4 A Concurrent Resolution recognizing the 25th 1 5 anniversary of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. 1 6 WHEREAS, June 21, 2004, marks the 25th anniversary 1 7 of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, a nonprofit 1 8 Iowa organization dedicated to protecting, preserving, 1 9 and enhancing Iowa's natural resources for future 1 10 generations; and 1 11 WHEREAS, the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation was 1 12 created by then=Governor Robert D. Ray and concerned 1 13 private citizens as a nonpartisan means of uniting 1 14 government, business, and private citizens for the 1 15 express purpose of protecting Iowa's valuable natural 1 16 resources; and 1 17 WHEREAS, Iowans today and future generations need 1 18 clean water, a biologically diverse and scenic 1 19 landscape, and outdoor recreation opportunities to 1 20 ensure the state's quality of life and the economic 1 21 well=being of Iowa communities; and 1 22 WHEREAS, in its first 25 years, the Iowa Natural 1 23 Heritage Foundation has helped protect more than 1 24 75,000 acres of Iowa's special places; developed more 1 25 than half of Iowa's extensive rail=trail system; 1 26 restored and reconstructed natural ecosystems; 1 27 improved water quality in key Iowa watersheds; created 1 28 conservation education programs for schools and 1 29 landowners; and served as a catalyst and leader on 1 30 conservation issues ranging from regional planning to 2 1 state and federal funding opportunities; and 2 2 WHEREAS, the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation has 2 3 accomplished these goals not through divisive 2 4 approaches but by actively involving partners, 2 5 including local, state, and federal governments; 2 6 private landowners; community volunteers; business and 2 7 agricultural groups; and other conservation 2 8 organizations; and 2 9 WHEREAS, the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation's 2 10 innovation and leadership are needed today more than 2 11 ever to protect Iowa's natural resources for those who 2 12 follow; NOW THEREFORE, 2 13 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE, THE HOUSE OF 2 14 REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING, That the Iowa General 2 15 Assembly recognizes the significant contributions made 2 16 by the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation for Iowa's 2 17 land, water, wildlife, and people over the past 25 2 18 years; and 2 19 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Iowa General 2 20 Assembly expresses the grateful appreciation of the 2 21 state of Iowa for the many ways the Iowa Natural 2 22 Heritage Foundation effectively leads, shapes, and 2 23 supports conservation efforts in Iowa; and 2 24 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That upon passage of this 2 25 resolution, the Secretary of the Senate shall cause an 2 26 official copy of this resolution to be provided to the 2 27 Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. 2 28 SCR 113 2 29 jp/cc/26