Get Outside This Summer: Gilchrist Foundation Supports the Great Outdoors
Midwesterners understand how long winters can be, so when summer comes, many are itching to enjoy the outdoors – and they have lots of options, thanks to county conservation boards and the Gilchrist Foundation.
There are more than 2,000 miles of trails across Iowa, along with 19 parks, natural areas and wetlands encompassing more than 5,500 acres in Woodbury County alone.
These spaces offer a glimpse of the Midwest’s natural beauty while promoting education, exercise and family-friendly activities.
Each year the Gilchrist Foundation awards grants that support conserving these outdoor spaces so they can be enjoyed today and tomorrow.
Wildlife conservation was a passion of Jocelyn Gilchrist, which is why it’s one of the three pillars of support the Foundation continues in her name. In 2025, the Foundation awarded more than $400,000 to help conservation organizations repair and maintain trails, support fishing sustainability, improve educational centers, and promote the area’s wildlife efforts.
Below are just some of the grants awarded in 2025.
2025 Wildlife & Conservation Grants
The Cedar County Ag Society received a $10,000 Project Grant to improve accessibility at its grandstand facility, helping ensure more visitors can enjoy community events and programming. The Elkhorn Valley Museum was awarded a $5,000 Micro Grant to install historical panels along a walking and biking trail, giving residents and visitors a new way to connect with local history outdoors.
In western Iowa, Friends of Loess Hills State Forest received a $5,000 Micro Grant to purchase a Marshall Tree Saw for habitat management work, while Golden Hills RC&D was awarded a $75,000 Project Grant for “Celebrating Iowa’s Loess Hills,” an initiative highlighting one of the state’s most unique natural landscapes.
The Harrison County Conservation Board received a $4,059.04 Micro Grant for chainsaws and protective equipment to support trail and land maintenance efforts. The Izaak Walton League of America was awarded a $14,250 Project Grant to support Missouri River conservation and recovery efforts.
Two Monona County Conservation Board projects also received support through the Foundation’s Micro Grant program. One $5,000 grant will fund an aluminum skid unit for conservation operations, while another will update display cases and educational animal habitats at the county nature center.
In South Dakota, the Game, Fish and Parks Department received a $5,000 Micro Grant to create a virtual reality tour focused on walleye spawning and stocking at state fish hatcheries. The South Dakota Grassland Coalition also received a $2,000 Micro Grant for youth activity totes designed to encourage hands-on conservation education.
Outdoor recreation and trail connectivity remained a priority this year. Southwest Iowa Nature Trails Project received a $20,000 Project Grant to support the Rapp Park Connector Trail, expanding recreational access in the region.
One of the Foundation’s largest conservation grants this year went to The Nature Conservancy of Iowa, which received a $250,000 Project Grant for the Folsom Point Wildlife Complex Addition, helping protect and expand critical wildlife habitat.
Closer to home, the Woodbury County Conservation Board received a $5,000 Micro Grant for a new UTV skid unit to support conservation work, while the Woodbury County Conservation Foundation was awarded $3,750 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center and its ongoing impact on environmental education in Siouxland.
About the Gilchrist Foundation
Jocelyn created the Gilchrist Foundation in honor of her family. She used the wealth accumulated by her family to give back to the community, especially in the areas that were her biggest passions, one of which was wildlife. After her death in 2008, the Gilchrist Foundation continued to support these philanthropic interests.
The mission of the Gilchrist Foundation is to carry out the philanthropy established by the Gilchrist family. The emphasis is on fostering the long-term viability of the charity and enabling special projects rather than supplying short-term operating funds. The Foundation provides incentives and funds to pre-selected non-profit organizations, with a preference for the Sioux City area. Interests considered for funding include Wildlife & Conservation, Arts & Public Broadcasting and Disaster Relief.
Visit the Applications page to learn more about the process.