This year, Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Northey
has made a recommendation for a $1 million dollar
line item for Urban Conservation in the Iowa
Department of Agriculture and Land StewardshipDivision of Soil Conservation (IDALS-DSC) budget.
This request is being endorsed by Conservation
Districts of Iowa-representing the 500 elected soil
and water conservation district commissioners and
the State Soil Conservation Committee.
A holistic approach
Iowans recognize that the protection of our state’s natural resources is important for clean water, flood reduction, local
economic vitality and quality of life. Residents also recognize it can only be successful if done by all Iowans on all land
uses, urban and agricultural.
One acre of impervious urban surface generates nearly 1 million gallons of runoff annually.
Funding for urban conservation is a major piece in the holistic approach to natural resource protection necessary for its
success.
Cost benefit
Since 2007, the four urban conservationists that serve the entire state of Iowa have been proving successful - educating
thousands of Iowans. They have also assisted with hundreds of on the ground urban conservation projects.
Working with businesses, residents, institutions, and community organizations, Iowa’s urban conservationists have
implemented projects that clean millions of gallons of water. These practices also reduce the amount of water entering
Iowa’s water bodies during large rain events and times of flooding.
This $1 million funding allocation to Urban Conservation allows the State to meet the ever growing need for support of
residents and contractors in the same way our agricultural conservationists do. A new funding source for practices in
Iowa (the State Revolving Fund Sponsored Projects) is generating a $22 million demand for urban conservation
practices. Quality technical assistance is required for the success of these projects.
Urban Conservation projects have vitalized small town Iowa Main Streets making them a destination for retail and
entertainment. Jobs are also being created among the local landscapers, contractors and engineering services. Green
growth is a vital part of The Iowa Economic Development Authority campaign to increase Iowa's economic vitality.
They rely on the state’s urban conservationists to assistant applicants in meeting their requirements for their programs.
An opportunity to be a leader in all conservation
Iowa has always been a leader in conservation on agricultural ground. A $1 million line item for Urban Conservation is
an opportunity to make Iowa a leader in Urban Conservation as well. Iowa would become one of only a handful of states
in the nation to have a funding line item in their budget dedicated to Urban Conservation.
Use of the $1 million for Urban Conservation
This $1 million dollars for Urban Conservation will support existing staff. This will allow the current funding supporting
urban conservation staff to go back to supporting watershed projects. The funding will also support the hiring of new
staff, outreach, and education needed to cover the increase in demand. On the ground urban conservation practices,
particularly pilot projects in priority areas will also gain funding.