Watershed Talks ~ Soil and Water Conservation

Iowa HUC 8 Watersheds and the Iowa population of each.

This monthly virtual series is a project of the Iowa Division of the Izaak Walton League of America, with rotating co-hosts from other Iowa Chapters.  We feature guests for 30-40 minute presentations that shed daylight on good works done in Iowa watersheds.  In this way we uplift our shared goals for cleaner water, a healthy environment, and kinder communities.

Watershed Talks ~ October 20, 2026

Scouting for Clean Water:  Empowering Iowa’s Youth In October 2026, our Watershed Talks program explored how to empower Iowa’s youth to protect local waterways through hands-on water monitoring and community science. Inspired by Girl Scout troop leader Donni Popejoy...

Watershed Talks ~ September 22, 2026

The Living River:  Communities, Watersheds & the Future of the Mississippi  Featuring Watershed Conservationist:  Barry W. Drazkowski This dynamic presentation provided a comprehensive look at the urgent environmental challenges facing the Upper Mississippi and how...

Watershed Talks ~ August 18, 2026

Under the Surface:  Inside Iowa's 1987 Landmark Groundwater Protection Act Featuring Former Iowa Legislators: David Osterberg Ralph Rosenberg In August 2026, Watershed Talks explored the history and lasting impact of Iowa’s landmark 1987 Groundwater Protection Act....

Watershed Talks ~ June 16, 2026

Paddling Iowa: 2,200 Miles with Jim Pease From River Trails to Lasting Legacies: A Wildlife Biologist's Journey Jim Pease— Iowa's Treasured Wildlife Biologist  Watershed Talks Recap: with Iowa Nature Champion Jim Pease On Tuesday, June 16, we hosted a fascinating...

Watershed Talks ~ May 19, 2026

From Practice to Policy: A Farmer-led Conversation   The Lobe Rangers— Three Farmers from the Des Moines Lobe Watershed Talks Recap: A Farmer-Led Conversation with The Lobe Rangers On May 19, we hosted a special Watershed Talks program featuring three Iowa farmers...

Watershed Talks ~ April 21, 2026

IWhat Do Bulldogs Know About Water Quality? Earth Day Edition: Drake University Students Lead the Way in Watershed Science   Professor Claire Hruby— Drake University Watershed Talks Recap: Earth Day Edition On April 21, we hosted a special Earth Day–inspired Watershed...

Watershed Talks ~ March 17, 2026

It's Not Easy Being Green: What's on Iowa's Impaired Waters List?   Dan Haug— Water Quality Specialist, Prairie Rivers of Iowa On St. Patrick’s Day, a bright green river may be part of the celebration—a splash of harmless dye marking the holiday spirit. But when...

Watershed Talks ~ February 17, 2026

School of the Wild: Using Watersheds as Living Classrooms Jay Gorsh—  Director, School of the Wild   On Tuesday, February 17 at 7:00 PM CT, we hosted an engaging Watershed Talks Zoom presentation exploring how outdoor education helps build lifelong watershed...

Watershed Talks ~ January 20, 2026

Ground Zero:  Iowa's Water Crisis with Carey Gillam Impacts on Public Health, Agriculture, and the Nation Featuring Carey Gillam— Author and Editor-in-Chief, The New Lede Special guest:  Keith Schneider— Author, Circle of Blue and The New Lede   Tuesday, January...

Watershed Talks ~ November 25, 2025

A Virtual Thanksgiving Town Hall: Celebrating Water Stewards Heather Wilson—  Midwest Save Our Streams Coordinator, IWLA Chris Henning—  Iowa Division Board Member, IWLA   On Tuesday, November 25 at 7 PM CT, we gathered on Zoom for our Virtual Thanksgiving Town...