Iowa Environmental Council and Practical Farmers of Iowa

Iowa Environmental Council and Practical Farmers
of Iowa believe that all life has intrinsic value.

Over-consumption and over-domestication have taken us down a path where ecological imbalance threatens the wellbeing of species. Organizations, communities, and individuals must commit to restoration of natural systems — woodlands, wetlands, and grasslands. By creating space for these wild ecosystems, we create healthier environments for people. True coexistence with non-human life requires core habitats, interconnected corridors along streams and rivers, and wildlife crossings that bridge human infrastructure. We support the BeWildReWild vision of BIG RIVER CONNECTIVITY and it’s goal to disturb, astonish, and inspire audiences to greater awareness and action.

Cores, Corridors, Crossing, and Coexistence: When nature thrives, we thrive.

Agriculture and wildness are not opposing forces — they must coexist for the benefit of all life. Local communities play a role in this transformation. Together, we can cultivate a wilder, more resilient, and more beautiful Mississippi River Watershed.

What unites us is far more powerful than what divides us.

Grant Proposal

This grant is a partnership in 2025 between the Iowa Environmental Council and Practical Farmers in Iowa.

Iowa Environmental Council is the state’s largest and oldest environmental coalition with the mission of creating
a healthier, just environment and sustainable future for all Iowans.

Practical Farmers of Iowa’s mission is to equip farmers to build resilient farms and communities. They envision
an Iowa with healthy soil, healthy food, clean air, clean water, resilient farms, and vibrant communities.

IEC and PFI would like to request $60,000 from BeWildReWild, split with a distribution of $30,000 to each
organization to accomplish the objectives outlined in this proposal.

Objectives

Together, IEC and PFI will engage in year-long discussions and partnership opportunities that advance the central theme of building a wilder, more beautiful, more biologically diverse, and more enduring Mississippi River Watershed.

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Outcome 2: Co-Hosted Webinar

Agricultural runoff contributes to the vast majority of nutrient pollution in Iowa’s waters, in part because there are few restrictions to it. One of the few conditions in place is a provision adopted in the 1985 Farm Bill called Swampbuster, which conditions federal subsidies on protecting wetlands from agricultural development. This longstanding provision has discouraged destruction of Iowa’s few remaining wetlands. But what if the
protection were revoked? A land holding company is challenging Swampbuster protections through a lawsuit, in which IEC has intervened.

IEC estimates roughly 200 attendees at our virtual webinars. IEC will partner with PFI to present a webinar in 2025 surrounding the importance of wetlands and the Swampbuster case. After an introduction to Swampbuster, we will welcome a farmer who has used an easement to protect diverse ecosystems on their land. We anticipate these presentations will generate thoughtful reflection and discussion on the important of protecting our wild lands, and how each individual and community is responsible.

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Outcome 3: Quarterly Conversations

PFI and IEC will gather in-person or virtually on a quarterly basis to discuss opportunities for partnership, for continuing the conversation of rewilding within our organizations and spheres of influence, and to share knowledge. These conversations will include leadership and program staff where applicable.

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Outcome 4: Blog Post in Iowa Water Watch

PFI and IEC will co-author a blog in IEC’s Iowa Water Watch, a weekly e-mail newsletter highlighting impaired
recreational bodies of water in Iowa. These newsletters are intended to educate readers on specific water
quality issues, as well as engage in dialogue about topics that may not be in traditional media. The angle of
this blog post is from a farmer’s perspective and their accountability for maintaining a balance of protection
and restoration of natural systems while continuing to utilize the land.

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Outcome 5: Participation in Annual Meetings

Both Practical Farmers of Iowa and Iowa Environmental Council will sponsor and exhibit at each annual meeting in 2025/2026. IEC’s Annual Conference will be at Drake University on September 16, 2025. PFI’s Annual Conference will be at the Iowa Events Center on January 9-10, 2026. Two sessions during the 2026 PFI Annual Conference will be focused on increasing habitat conservation and restoration in Iowa. Both organizations are excited to be a visible, engaged participant at one another’s events throughout the project. In keeping with the idea of BIG RIVER CONNECTIVITY, we will touch on creating a wilder, more beautiful, more biologically diverse Iowa landscape.

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Financials

BeWildReWild has been a leading voice in connecting the dots between reduced soil/nutrient loss and improved water quality to a wilder Iowa and increased biodiversity. Together, we are stronger: It’s critical that key partners and allies with different audiences, such as the Iowa Environmental Council and Practical Farmers of Iowa, share the message in order to amplify it. BIG RIVER CONNECTIVITY is a shared goal and vision, and we all have a part to play in restoring large landscapes and creating a healthier Iowa for people, animals, and all life.