Iowans have a long history of working together to improve and protect water quality, and conservation work is accelerating and expanding at a record pace across the state. Today, more than 450 public & private partners are working alongside farmers, landowners, municipalities and other stakeholders throughout Iowa to improve soil health and water quality on their land as well as downstream.
NEW! Greater Des Moines Watershed Program
A targeted initiative to drive the use of agricultural and urban conservation practices in 22 counties upstream from Central Iowa, where they can have a significant impact on water quality. Farmers and landowners in these counties may be eligible to receive higher cost-share rates and increased acre caps compared to other statewide cost-share programs.
IDALS STREAMSIDE BUFFER PILOT PROJECT
Farmers and landowners in Des Moines, Middle Cedar, North Raccoon and Turkey River watersheds are invited to participate in this new state cost-share program that aims to improve water quality by encouraging the installation of vegetative streamside buffers — natural strips of plants along streams, rivers, and creeks that filter phosphorus and nitrates from runoff before it enters nearby water sources.
IOWA NUTRIENT REDUCTION STRATEGY
The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy (NRS) is a collaborative plan developed by Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), Iowa Department of Natural Resouces (DNR), and the Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) to assess and reduce nutrient loss to Iowa waters and, ultimately, the Gulf of Mexico.
WATER QUALITY INITIATIVE
The Iowa Water Quality Initiative (WQI) is the action plan for the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy (NRS) that was established in 2013. The WQI improves water quality through a collaborative, research-based approach that is evaluated and reported by a team of independent researchers from multiple institutions, led by Iowa State University. This comprehensive approach allows farmers and cities alike to adopt conservation practices that fit their unique needs, lands, and budgets.
WATER QUALITY INITIATIVE PROECTS
Ag Water Quality Initiative Projects as well as Urban Water Quality Initiative Projects both provide great opportunities for landowners or communities, respectively, to positively and significantly impact water quality. Both types of projects have been gaining traction across the state in recent years.
