Ann Staudt
Water Quality Specialist
Iowa Learning Farms
515.294.4878
astaudt@iastate.edu
Awards will recognize Iowans who started working or volunteering in water quality over the past decade; CLG is casting a wide net for nominees across multiple disciplines and categories.
Ames, Iowa – The Conservation Learning Group (CLG), a think tank based at Iowa State
University (ISU) Extension and Outreach and dedicated to addressing conservation and
environmental challenges, has opened nominations for the New Voices in Water Quality in
Iowa awards program. The New Voices awards will be conferred on top nominees that have
taken up the mantle of water quality improvement in Iowa since 2012.
“There has been tremendous growth in action and interest in the area of water quality over the
past 10 years, and CLG is looking to encourage those new voices in the conversations to
continue—or increase—their efforts through this recognition,” said Jacqueline Comito, CLG
program director. “Iowans from many backgrounds and age groups have entered the water
quality conversation and invested time and effort in making a difference across Iowa. We want
to hear about those individuals and encourage them to continue reaching Iowans and
impacting the improvement of our shared natural resources.”
Nominees must be Iowa residents who will be at least 18 years old by April 15, 2022 and been
actively working (paid or volunteer) in the water quality field between 2012 and 2022 (with the
earliest actions no later than 2019). They should also have participated in outreach and
education during this period. Nominations close Friday, April 15, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. CST.
Nominations should indicate how the nominee has furthered water quality advocacy in one of
the following broad categories.
• Water Quality Research
• Water Quality in Public Policy and Government
• Youth and/or Community Water Education
• Water Quality and Wildlife
• Urban Water Conservation
Nominations will be submitted in the form of letters from two individuals detailing the impact a
nominee has made on water quality improvement. Nomination letters should highlight the
nominee’s creativity, innovation, demonstrated knowledge, sense of community and future
potential in advancing water quality initiatives.
To learn more about the New Voices awards or to start the nomination process, click here.
“In addition to recognizing some new voices and new leaders in the fight to improve water
quality, we are also eager to share the abundant content and resources available from CLG that
can help inform and fortify outreach and education across the state,” said Comito. “We are very
eager to feature a host of new conservation voices in Iowa through this program.”
About Conservation Learning Group: Conservation Learning Group (CLG) is a collaborative team established to advance training, outreach, and research across land uses and production systems to increase overall sustainability of agricultural and natural systems for multiple generations to come. CLG draws on experts in various disciplines to deliver engaging science-based outreach to farmers, agricultural advisers, landowners, decision makers, youth and communities. To learn more about Conservation Learning Group visit www.ConservationLearningGroup.org.