Clean Water
We work to improve water quality in rivers and lakes found in Iowa. We accomplish this work through robust education, monitoring, and by partnering with both private landowners and local government.
Here is what we’re up to now:
Water Monitoring in Story County
Water quality in most creeks and lakes in Story County is not tested by state agencies, so in 2020, we worked with 9 partner organizations to plan for how we could sustain a monitoring program at the local level. We continue to support the effort by collecting samples, organizing volunteer events, and making sense of the data.
Creek Clean Ups
So far, we have helped organize six volunteer events that removed over 12,700 pounds of trash from Ioway Creek, the Skunk River, and other streams in central Iowa. Depending on the weather, we may be walking, wading, or paddling canoes, but it’s always a good time!
Educational Videos
FAQ
What’s a watershed? Confused about water quality? Here’s an FAQ with links to some of our most accessible resources.
Past Projects
Past projects have focused on the Ioway Creek and Skunk River watersheds in Story, Boone, and Hamilton counties.
Conservation Connection Blog
A big part of our work is telling engaging stories to help explain the science and policy behind the environmental issues we work on. Here are three of our latest posts from the Conservation Connect Blog.
Glitter in Your Grass: The Secret Lives of Fireflies
While the season of twinkling twilight in Iowa has nearly ended, fireflies (aka “lightning bugs”) live in Iowa year-round! What do you really know about these mysterious sparks of light? They are not just magical glittering displays – they are real insects that serve important ecological and medicinal roles and are threatened by habitat loss and light pollution.
Drainage “Improvements”
A guest post by Steve Swan tells how a group of landowners took control of their drainage district in order to block “a huge, costly and environmentally destructive improvement on Pickerel Run.”
How to Start Caring About Pollinators: A Guide for Iowans
We asked three central Iowans from different backgrounds about how they came to appreciate pollinators and wildlife in general, what catalyzed their appreciation into action, and how they stay energized and hopeful for the future of pollinators and our natural environment as a whole. Lori Biederman, Lynne Kellner, and Todd Burras share their journeys with us here.