top of page

Honoring Nature's Place in Iowa

Anyone paying attention knows nature in Iowa is under great pressure and many of our most cherished resources are degrading and in danger.  From soil erosion to water pollution, from habitat loss to urban sprawl, economic forces and wasteful actions threaten nature. Many public policies contribute to the stress: we underfund efforts to improve water quality and enhance nature, farm policies promote cropping floodplains and on fragile lands, and annexation leads to converting thousands of acres of prime land to housing and development.  Our failure to set reasonable stewardship standards exposes nature to unlimited threats, jeopardizing future productivity.  State and local governments are restrained in maintaining and acquiring natural lands and planning for the future.

​

This constellation of challenges makes it imperative Iowans who care about nature and who believe it has a place in all aspects of Iowa’s social and economic life come together.  We face a future framed by a changing climate and a growing need to use justice as a lens to measure our conduct.  The Summit offers the opportunity to discuss what can be done, to learn from inspiring nature advocates, to hear examples about what is working, and to develop a hopeful, optimistic plan for the future based on shared values and commitments.  Plus we will have fun!

                                                               Tentative Agenda

​

​Pre-Summit Event - Tuesday Oct 8th - Iowa Water Summit, organized by Izaak Walton League, held at IWL Lodge, George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines, information: https://www.iwla.org/news-events/iowawatersummit​

  • 7:00pm performance, Steve Marking as "Will Dilg: Creating the Upper Mississippi Wildlife Refuge" - now celebrating it's 100th Anniversary.

Wednesday Oct 9th: Summit Opening Day - Olmsted Center

  • 8:00-8:40am: Registration and Breakfast, sponsored by Niman Ranch

  • 8:40-9:00am: Welcome, Update and Summit Overview - Prof. Neil Hamilton

  • 9:00am-10:40am: Nature – Public Health – and Iowa’s Environment, moderator Prof. Jennifer Zwagerman, director, Agricultural Law Center, Drake University

    • Dr. David Cwiertny, director for Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination, University of Iowa

    • Dr. Richard Deming, Mercy Medical Center, Above and Beyond

    • Prof. Kamyar Enshayan, director, Center for Energy and Environmental Education, University of Northern Iowa

    • Sen. Janet Petersen, Co-Founder, Healthy Birth Day, Inc. 

  • 10:40-11:10am - Networking Break - sponsored by Seed Savers Exchange

  • 11:10am-12:15pm - Farming, Soil Health, Food and Wellness, moderator, Carole Reichardt, board member, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF)

    • Seth Watkins, Pinhook Farm, Clarinda

    • Dr. Michael McNeill, the Triada initiative, Algona

    • Chris Schwartz – exec. Dir, Iowa Local Food System Coalition and Black Hawk County Supervisor​

  • 12:15pm-1:30pm - Lunch, sponsored by the Iowa West Foundation, Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Sand County Almanac, Buddy Huffaker, Executive Director, Aldo Leopald Foundation

  • 1:30pm-3:30pm - Creative Use of Public Programs to Protect Land and Enhance Nature - moderator, Joe McGovern, President, INHF

    • Ross Baxter, senior land protection director and counsel, INHF

    • Matt Russell, state exec. dir., USDA Farm Service Agency

    • John Swanson, Polk County Public Works

    • Jim Pease, Story County nature bonding initiative​

  • 3:30-4:00pm - Break - sponsored by Peoples Company and Foster Group

  • 4:00-5:15pm - New Voices for Iowa Nature and the Environment, moderator Christine Curry, Izaak Walton League

    • James Larew, attorney and co-founder of Driftless Defenders

    • Sarah Green, new Executive Dir., Iowa Environmental Council

    • Jalesha Johnson, SAY Poetry and Buffalo Rebellion​

  • 5:15-5:40pm - Empowering Youth Activism Through Art - Host, Pat Boddy

  • 5:40-7:15pm - Evening Reception - sponsored by Iowa Wildlife Federation and The Nature Conservancy - Iowa, In Olmsted Upper Level

​​​

​

Day Two - Thursday October 10th - Olmsted Center

  • 7:15-8:00am Breakfast, sponsored by Cultivating Compassion: The Dr. Richard Deming Foundation

  • 8:00-9:00 Policy Opportunities for Nature in the 2025 Iowa Legislature, Legislative panel moderated by Anna Gray, policy director, INHF

    • Rep. Austin Baeth, [D] Des Moines

    • Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, [D] West Des Moines

    • Sen. Dan Dawson, Council Bluffs, chair Ways and Means Committee

    • Rep. Jacob Bossman [R], Sioux City

  • 9:00am-10:45am: Nature Based Education: Iowa Innovations - moderated by Ryan Smith, Executive Director, Iowa Wildlife Federation

    • Jay Gorsh, director, School of the Wild, U. of Iowa;

    • Mary Skopec, executive director, Iowa Lakeside Lab

    • Mark Dorhout, Middle School Teacher, Panorama School District

    • Mike Todd, The Community Academy and Ames High School

    • Cindy Goodner, President, Decorah Community School District Board of Education

    • Jessica Schellhorn, Education Manager, Blank Park Zoo

  • 10:45am-11:10am: Networking Break - sponsored by Blank Park Zoo and the Iowa Living Roadway Trust, displays close after the break

  • 11:10am-12:10pm: Internships as Pathways to Nature Careers, moderator, Amy Yoakum, Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa

    • Adam Shirley, Executive Director, Iowa County Conservation Board System, former intern

    • Claire Hamilton, The Nature Conservancy Iowa, former intern

    • Lisa Hein, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Senior Director Conservation Programs​

  • 12:10pm-12:25pm: Presentation of the Hagie Award, by the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Joe McGovern, President, INHF

  • 12:25-1:45pm: Iowa Nature Champions Award Luncheon, sponsored by INHF, moderated by Pat Boddy and Rich Leopold, Executive Director Polk County CB

  • 1:45pm-2:00pm: Summit Concludes - Closing Words, Prof. Neil Hamilton 

  • 2:30pm-4:45pm: Optional Tour of Brenton Slough in NW Polk County, hosted by Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation

    • Transportation provided from Jester Park Nature Center​

  • 5:00pm-6:30pm: Closing Reception at Jester Park Nature Center, hosted by Polk County Conservation Board​

​​

*Other Notes of Interest: Donations from Fred and Charlotte Hubbell and Bob and Kay Riley have been used to create the “Hubbell-Riley Iowa Nature Summit Scholarship Fund – for students, under-represented groups, or individuals for whom the registration fee may be an issue.  Application information is available on the web site.

​

bottom of page