The Iowa Learning Farms, Iowa Rivers Revival, and the Iowa DNR delivered a “Natural River Restoration” webinar on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015 at 1 p.m.
The webinar included Rosalyn Lehman with Iowa Rivers Revival and Nate Hoogeveen with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources discussing how river restoration, used in other Midwestern states, improves water quality, reduces streambank erosion, reduces flooding, improves habitat, and enhances economic development.
The webinar also included information about stream restoration design and project examples that demonstrate processes and outcomes.
IRR is advocating for an Iowa River Restoration program. Currently, Iowa lacks the resources and expertise to offer natural river restoration opportunities to landowners and communities across the state. An Iowa River Restoration Program (comparable to the Iowa Lakes Restoration Program) would provide guidelines, criteria, funding, training, and expertise necessary to offer cost-share opportunities for protecting Iowa’s landscape, streambanks and river ways.
osalyn Lehman is the executive director of Iowa Rivers Revival. IRR is a non-profit statewide leader in river education and advocacy, and is committed to protecting some of our most precious natural resources—rivers and streams. IRR works to engage individuals, organizations, communities, and government leaders in river awareness, responsibility, and enjoyment to improve and enhance the condition of Iowa waterways, ensuring a quality, safe and lasting resource for future generations.
Nate Hoogeveenis the director of river programs for the Iowa DNR. As team leader, Nate oversees diverse efforts, including river science, survey, construction, grant administration, data and mapping services, and program planning. He is also a certified American Canoe Association instructor. Formerly a writer, Nate is author of the guidebook Paddling Iowa.
The ILF webinars are usually held on the third Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. They are free and all that is needed to participate is a computer and Internet access. All past webinars are archived on the ILF website: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ilf/Webinars/. For more information about Iowa Learning Farms, visit the website: www.extension.iastate.edu/ilf.
Helpful Links:
An Introduction to River Restoration Webinar: https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p4tovc0ftqj/?launcher=false&fcsContent=true&pbMode=normal
River Restoration background: https://iowarivers.org/legislative/river-restoration/
River Restoration fact sheet: https://iowarivers.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/River-Restoration-web.pdf
River Basics fact sheet: https://iowarivers.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/IRR_River-Basics-web.pdf
Des Moines Register Op-ed (March 1, 2013): A Call to Iowa to Revive Our Rivers