Story County Conservation News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Story County Conservation (SCC) is proud to have recently accepted a 2025 Community Impact Award from the Ames Regional Economic Alliance (AREA). This award recognizes the community connectivity enhanced by the recent paving of the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail, from Slater to Collins, and linking directly to the High Trestle Trail. This has transformed a longstanding vision of community connectivity into reality, linking Story County communities, drawing visitors, and boosting small-town economies. 

The award also recognizes the Story County Water & Land Legacy Bond, passed in 2024, which displays a forward-thinking vision and provides a stable foundation for numerous additional projects in the upcoming years to expand land protection, water quality efforts and outdoor recreation projects in our communities. These projects will bring broad benefits to quality of life, economy and especially the environment – making Story County a better place to live, work and recreate.

This recognition reflects the hard work put in by SCC board, staff, and volunteers who work diligently to improve our quality of life.  

Ames Regional Economic Alliance is an alliance of people and businesses partnering for economic growth and to promote community development across Boone, Greene, Hamilton and Story counties. Learn more at www. amesalliance.com.  

Since 2019, more than 21 miles of the HOINT have been paved in Story County! A continuous paved trail now connects all five communities in southern Story County from the High Trestle Trail in Slater, eastward all the way to Collins. Funding for this latest HOINT paving project came from a Destination Iowa grant and the Story County American Rescue Plan Act. 

The four-mile section of the HOINT in Story County between Collins and the Story-Marshall County line remains unpaved. SCC is exploring all available options to design and fund the last connection into Marshall County. The recent passage of the Story County Water and Land Legacy bond will assist in funding this final stretch.