Cutting Water Monitoring in a Nitrate Crisis?


From Data to Action:  Iowa’s Water Future!

Dr. Larry Weber— scientist, engineer, and co-founder of the Iowa Flood Center 

Learn more by watching this recording of an extraordinary follow-up to the Harkin Institute’s August 4th public panel on the 2025 Central Iowa Water Quality Report. In this eye-opening presentation, Dr. Larry Weber—renowned water scientist, engineer, and co-founder of the Iowa Flood Center—unpacks Iowa’s escalating water quality crisis.

What you’ll learn:

• Why nitrate pollution in Iowa’s rivers is reaching record highs
• The alarming risk of reduced water monitoring systems
• Science-driven tools and policies that can turn the tide 

—About Larry Weber
He is a University of Iowa professor and Director of IIHR – Hydroscience and Engineering. Dr. Weber co-founded the Iowa Flood Center and Iowa Nutrient Research Center and leads the nationally recognized Iowa Watershed Approach.

Toxic Ties: What’s in Our Water


The Public Health Impact of Iowa’s Polluted Waterways!

Dr. Adam Shriver— Director of Wellness and Nutrition Policy at The Harkin Institute

A Vital Conversation on Water, Health & Policy in Iowa
Event Recap: Presentation by Dr. Adam Shriver, The Harkin Institute

We were honored to host Dr. Adam Shriver, Interim Director of Wellness and Nutrition Policy at The Harkin Institute, for an engaging and timely presentation on the links between agricultural pollution, water quality, and public health in Iowa.

Dr. Shriver shared details about The Harkin Institute’s current initiatives, including:

A forthcoming panel discussion on the 2025 Polk County Water Quality Report, and
A series of statewide Cancer Listening Sessions in collaboration with the Iowa Environmental Council.

These initiatives aim to shed light on how environmental factors—especially those linked to industrial agriculture—may be impacting Iowans’ health.

One of the most pressing issues discussed was Polk County’s recently released water assessment, which revealed that nearly 80% of nitrate contamination in the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers—key drinking water sources for over 600,000 Central Iowans—comes from agricultural runoff.  The data raises urgent questions about water safety, land use, and long-term public health impacts.

The Cancer Listening Sessions are gathering real stories and data from across Iowa, exploring the possible links between environmental exposures and increasing cancer rates.  Dr. Shriver emphasized the importance of public engagement in shaping smarter, community-informed policies.

About Dr. Adam Shriver:
Dr. Shriver leads efforts at The Harkin Institute focused on clean water, sustainable agriculture, and public health. He holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology and has held academic appointments at the University of Pennsylvania, University of British Columbia, and Oxford. His work bridges science, ethics, and policy to advance environmental and human health.

Vanishing Wings:  A Wake-Up Call for Nature

How Neonics Threaten Our Insects, Aquatic Life, and More!

Mike Miller– Stream Ecologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 

This eye-opening presentation is about neonicotinoid insecticides (neonics) and the growing threat they pose to the insects that live in our streams, rivers, and wetlands—especially dragonflies, mayflies, and other aquatic bugs.

These fragile flyers are far more than summer scenery. They help keep our waters clean, support fish and bird populations, and signal the health of entire ecosystems. But neonics—widely used in agriculture and urban areas—are silently wiping them out.

🔍 This talk explores:

• What neonics are and how they enter our waterways
• The essential roles of aquatic insects like dragonflies and mayflies
• How insect loss impacts the entire food web—from bugs to birds to fish
• What we can do to turn the tide

💧 If you care about clean water, healthy rivers, or just love the shimmer of dragonfly wings—this conversation is for you.

About the Speaker:
Mike Miller is a stream ecologist with the Wisconsin DNR in Madison, focusing on stream and watershed assessment, neonicotinoid contamination, and innovative technologies like UAVs for stream research. He co-authored A Field Guide to Wisconsin Streams, teaches at the University of Wisconsin, and collaborates with citizen scientists. In his free time, he enjoys fly fishing in Wisconsin’s Driftless Area.

A discussion with podcast producer Beth Hoffman 

Beth Hoffman— Author, Farmer & Podcaster

Learn about Beth Hoffman’s “At the Iowa Farm Table” podcast program.  The podcast explores how and why we can make Iowa’s food and farming culture a thriving, sustainable and equitable food system.  Beth shares what she’s learned about Iowa farming and shares some highlights from her latest podcast series, such as “Drenched in Chemicals” and “Adding Value on Iowa Farms”.  

Beth Hoffman has been reporting, writing and doing audio for twenty-five years on food and agriculture. She wrote Bet the Farm: The Dollars and Sense of Growing Food in America, blogs at In the Dirt with the Iowa Writers Collaborative, and produces At the Iowa Farm Table for the Iowa Food System Coalition. She also runs Whippoorwill Creek Farm with her husband John. The farm raises grass-fed and finished beef, pastured goats and vegetables, and offers cooking and writing classes and overnight stays.

Fish in the Nish?  One year later—

How community members are working with the newly formed Nishnabotna Water

Defenders to advocate, educate and litigate!

Jodi Reese— Secretary, Nishnabotna Water Defenders

Learn about what’s taking place in the Nishnobotna watershed. It’s been a year since one of Iowa’s largest fish kills. 

Jodi Reese of the newly formed Nishnobotna Water Defenders will discuss how community members are working together to restore and protect the Nish after last year’s fish kill.  

Other experts and concerned community members  join the discussion to reflect on what has and what has not happened during this past year. They talk about how to move forward. 

Jodi is encouraged by the possibility of NWD and similar groups bringing people together to work on this common goal.  She is a nurse and grower who believes the foundation of well-being starts with what we consume and that depends on clean food and water.

Watershed Talks ~ This monthly 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. Recorded programs will be available at iowaikes.com shortly after they air live. 

Nature Defenders of Iowa—

How organizations work everyday to defend our natural resources both at the state

and federal level!

Anna Gray— Public Policy Director and Counsel, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation 

Kate Hansen— Agriculture Program Director, The Izaak Walton League of America

Learn about  the current challenges in defending nature at the state and federal level.   Anna and Kate will discuss the most recent legislative issues which include major budget cuts associated with conservation that impact our agriculture lands, natural resources, and outdoor habitats.

Anna Gray is the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation’s Public Policy Director and Counsel.  She works to shape public policy priorities that promote sustainable agriculture, preserve natural resources, and connect people with the outdoors.

Kate Hansen is the Izaak Walton League of America’s national Agriculture Program Director. In her role, she leads the League’s work to influence federal policies to increase conservation practices, improve water quality, and restore soil health on farm and ranch-land across the country.

Watershed Talks ~ This monthly 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. Recorded programs will be available at iowaikes.com shortly after they air live. 

Organic Farming— A Solution for Iowa & Ukraine

How a rural scientist successfully helps farmers transition to healthy organic regenerative practices!

Michael McNeill, PhD— Scientist, Researcher, and Farmer

Learn more about why and how transitioning conventional farm land to organic regenerative practices not only benefits farmers financially, but also benefits our communities by producing healthy soil, clean water, and nutritious abundant food.  

Michael shares his recent work in Ukraine this past summer and how farmers are continuing to produce despite the ongoing war.  He also shares one farmer’s recent success story who is currently transitioning over 8,000 acres to organic production near Michael’s home town of Algona, Iowa. Michael will also discuss the increased interest of farmers wanting to transition their conventional farms to organic.

Michael McNeill, PhD. has 50+ years of experience as a research scientist and agricultural consultant.  He has consulted with farmers on approximately 165,000 acres of cropland in the Middle West.  In addition, Michael has consulted with regenerative farming systems in Ukraine, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Canada.  He is currently working with farmers to assist them in transitioning to regenerative organic crop production systems.  He has transitioned his own farm to organic production 17 years ago.  

McNeill is passionate about the relationship between improved soil health and its’ relationship with human health.  Currently he is chairman of the board of directors of TRIADA, a non-profit organization devoted to research and teaching of farming and health care systems that enhance both soil and human health by removal of heavy metals and petrochemicals and increased nutrient density of our food supply. 

Michael recently participated as a panelist at the 2024 Iowa Nature Summit’s session on Farming, Soil Health, Food and Wellness, moderated by Carole Reichardt, board member, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF)

Panoramic View of Nature Education—

How a rural science teacher uses the outdoors as a creative classroom to educate students about nature!

Mark Dorhout— Science Teacher, Panorama Middle School

Learn more about why and how outdoor education not only is a great way to engage our youth but is also an essential component to benefit our communities long-term.

Mark shares additional information about how this nature education program works and why it’s so important that other teachers and parents get involved and start advocating for outdoor experiences in their schools and communities.

Mark Dorhout is a talented Middle School Teacher at Panorama Middle School.  He has spent over 30 years in public education, working both as a teacher (11 years) and a Middle School Principal (21 years. Most of his life has been spent in Iowa, but he has also lived and taught in Wisconsin and South Dakota. 

In his 4 years at Panorama, in Panora, IA, he has developed an Outdoor Education program using a focus on Environmental Stewardship.  Each student spends approximately 45-50 hours in the field with 60-70 hours of followup instruction. Areas of focus include prairie reconstruction, outdoor observation skills, a bird unit that includes making and monitoring a bluebird/wren house for two years, remote sensing and outdoor appreciation through art.  Water quality is the next phase of incorporation into the curriculum.  

Mark serves as a board member of the Panora Conservation Chapter of The Izaak Walton League of America.  He recently participated as a panelist at the 2024 Iowa Nature Summit’s session on Nature Based Education:  Iowa Innovations.

Salt Watch— Safe Roads & Clean Water

How over salting roads not only leads to rusty cars, but kills fish, and pollutes our drinking water long-term!

Abby Hileman— Salt Watch Coordinator, Izaak Walton League of America

Learn more about why and how properly salting roads, parking lots, and walkways can ensure safe roads and clean water.  Winter road salt, which usually contains chloride, has long-term negative health impacts on our local waterways and the environment. 

IWL’s Salt Watch Coordinator Abby Hileman shares additional information about how Salt Watch works and why it’s so important that people get involved and start advocating for this program in their communities.

In her role, Abby leads the efforts of the Salt Watch program, expanding the project into new regions across the country, reaching new groups of volunteers, and providing resources to make lasting change—from data to action. Abby received her BS in Biology at Allegheny College in Meadville, PA. She has a passion for connecting people to their communities and to nature and believes that small scale actions add up to make a big impact on conservation success.

 Watershed Talks ~ This monthly 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. Recorded programs will be available at iowaikes.com shortly after they air live. 

Our 2024 Watershed Talks continue to focus and highlight the legacy of the Izaak Walton League as one of America’s first conservation organizations leading significant conservation policy— one hundred years ago the League was the driving force behind the creation of the Upper Mississippi National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, which protects wildlife habitat along 261 miles of the river in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois.