AMES - Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has released the Iowa Conservation Professionals Map, an online resource designed to connect farmers and landowners directly with conservation experts working across the state, including specialists and staff from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Conservation professionals help landowners through every phase of protecting soil, water, and habitat resources, providing specialized site assessments, designing conservation practices, managing installations, and connecting landowners with crucial funding opportunities to offset costs.
The new map highlights an extensive network of conservation professionals, including watershed coordinators, project specialists, and field staff focused on Iowa’s environmental landscape. The directory helps connect landowners with conservation experts at the Iowa DNR, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, local governments, agricultural cooperatives, and nonprofit organizations like the Iowa Soybean Association.
“Research from Iowa State University shows regular contact with a conservation professional is the single strongest factor in whether a farmer adopts new conservation practices,” said Catherine DeLong, water quality program manager at ISU Extension and Outreach. “We want farmers and landowners to easily connect with conservation professionals so they can take the next step in their conservation journey.”
Every single acre in Iowa is covered by at least one dedicated professional, with some areas having access to as many as ten. Using the interactive tool, landowners simply enter an address or click a parcel of land to view available experts ranked from local watershed level to statewide agencies. Additional key partners, including USDA NRCS staff and Iowa DNR wildlife, forestry, and drinking water specialists, remain fully searchable through ISU Extension and Outreach’s established natural resources directory.
“The desire to improve local water quality is there, but people who want to get involved sometimes don't know where to begin or who to even contact," says Steve Konrady, nonpoint source coordinator with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. "Our DNR team offers technical support and grant funding on a watershed level to help turn that interest into action. This resource will help landowners easily find our staff and see the incredible scope of conservation work happening in their own backyards.”
The mapping platform was developed by ISU Extension and Outreach with technical support from Iowa State’s GIS Support and Research Facility. Financial support for the project is provided by ISU Extension and Outreach, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the Iowa Soybean Association, The Nature Conservancy, and the Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance.