1805 Center Dr, Ames, IA 50011
USA
Bringing Together Multi-Disciplinary Organizations and Institutions to Discuss Iowa’s Water
The Iowa Water Conference is the largest outreach and collaboration effort of the Iowa Water Center. It brings together multi-disciplinary organizations and institutions to discuss relevant water issues across Iowa. The inaugural event in 2006 combined several existing conferences with the purpose of coordinating research and management efforts. Today’s conference draws nearly 400 attendees. The conference still strives to encompass the whole of Iowa’s water landscape including expanding into realms of education and outreach, conservation, policy, and regulations.
Through general and concurrent sessions, conference goers will explore current trends across water resource management in both urban and rural landscapes. This exploration will have a particular emphasis on the interconnected nature of our water resources. Further, it will explore the opportunities this offers for collaboration.
“Back to Basics: Land, Water, People.”
The theme for the 2019 Iowa Water Conference is “Back to Basics: Land, Water, People.” The state of Iowa has the most altered landscape in the nation. Increasingly, we look for solutions to our water management issues that bring us closer to nature and back to Iowa’s natural environmental processes. From restoring prairies and wetlands on agricultural landscapes to green infrastructure that couple natural and engineered systems, we are building a future through a respectful look to our state’s history. Therefore, by getting “back to basics,” we are focusing on the entire ecosystem, with water as the connector.
Iowa Watershed Awards
Iowa’s watershed coordinators are critical to the future success of improving water quality. They are also critical in meeting the goals of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. The Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance (IAWA), in collaboration with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and Conservation Districts of Iowa, created the Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance Iowa Watershed Awards to honor watershed coordinators for the important work they do every day to improve Iowa’s water quality.
Sponsored by IAWA, the award will recognize up to five honorees on March 12, 2019, at the Iowa Water Conference. Further, each will receive funding for their local watershed program and for their own professional development.
Operationalizing the One Water Approach: Innovating and Collaborating to Improve Water Management in Iowa
Across Iowa, there are examples of the One Water ethos: water management that is innovative, inclusive, and integrated. Join this panel to learn about operationalizing the One Water approach in Iowa. By collaboratively reducing flood risk, treating wastewater, improving conservation, and leaving a land legacy, the value of the One Water approach seeks to achieve the best outcomes for all Iowans.
- Moderator: Roger Wolf, Director of Environmental Programs and Services, Iowa Soybean Association
- Panelists: Jessica Turba, Executive Officer, Disaster Recovery Operations/Planning, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management; Jonathan Gano, Director of Public Works, City of Des Moines; Clare Lindahl, CEO, Soil and Water Conservation Society; Darcy Maulsby, Landowner/Operator of a Calhoun County Century Farm
- This discussion will be on Tuesday, March 12 from 3:25 PM – 4:25 PM in 204-208 Scheman.
Additional Resources for the 2019 Iowa Water Conference
- This page will be updated periodically. It will call for presentations and past event pages with links to presentation slides and videos. Also, it will include a lists of award winners.
- The conference also offers sessions for research and educational posters from water professionals. In addition, included is a poster competition for students.
- Iowa Water Conference directions found here.