Long-term Watershed Success the Topic of Webinar

Learn about the connections between successful watershed improvement projects

October 8, 2020, 11:41 am | Hilary Pierce, Jacqueline Comito

AMES, Iowa — A project that assessed the long-term continued success of three different voluntary watershed management approaches is the topic of an Iowa Learning Farms webinar to be held Wednesday, Oct. 14 at noon.

This project, funded by the Iowa Nutrient Research Center, looked at differences in structural practice adoption and through quantitative analysis of practices in the watershed and qualitative assessment of farmers’ attitudes and behaviors toward water quality, conservation and participation in watershed projects.

Jamie Benning.In order to assess the effectiveness of the three different voluntary watershed management approaches, the team evaluated three sets of comparison HUC 12 watersheds, three HUC 12 watersheds where different watershed projects have been implemented and three nearby HUC 12 watersheds that have not had recent watershed projects.

Through mailed surveys and listening sessions, Jamie Benning and Jacqueline Comito, both with Conservation Learning Group, listened to farmers and landowners in the three watersheds about their current farming practices.

Do these watersheds, which were successful in the short-term, benefit from a “halo effect” in the long-term? Benning and Comito will also discuss recommendations to improve water quality improvement efforts in Iowa.

Conservation Learning Group is a collaborative team 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.

To participate in the live webinar, shortly before noon on Oct. 14, click the following URL, or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172

Or, go to https://iastate.zoom.us/join and enter meeting ID: 364 284 172. Or, join from a dial-in phone line by dialing +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923; meeting ID: 364 284 172.

The webinar will also be recorded and archived on the ILF website, so that it can be watched at any time. Archived webinars are available at https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/page/webinars.

A Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit has been applied for, for those who are able to participate in the live webinar. Information about how to apply to receive the unit (if approved) will be provided at the end of the live webinar.

 

Original photo: Jamie Benning

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