Pictured:
Receiving the Award at June 27th Ceremonies include (L to R):
Jean Eells (E-Resources Group), Director Chuck Gipp (IDNR), Matt Purdy (Benton CCB), Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds, Karen Phelps (Benton CCB), Dennis Goemaat (Linn CCB), Dan Biechler (Linn CCB), Governor Terry Branstad.


Following devastating flooding along the Cedar River in 2008, more than 20 County Conservation Boards partnered together with the goal of educating adults on their roles in managing and maintaining the Cedar River Watershed, which stretches from southern Minnesota diagonally through Iowa until meeting the Iowa River near Columbus Junction.


After receiving a REAP grant for funding, educational tools were produced including TV and radio spots, monthly articles submitted to local news outlets, watershed signs and an educational program. The theme of the outreach is “We’re All in this Together,” a message emphasizing that not one person or group is responsible for managing a watershed.


With nearly 1 million people to reach, data collected after the education program was delivered to community organizers and civic groups indicated the majority of people who had heard the message could explain it to someone else and planned to talk to their community leader(s) about best management practices for the watershed. CONGRATS again to everyone involved with the initiative and successful campaign.