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 350 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.
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.
