Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: Learning About Urban Wetlands

The Iowa Learning Farms (ILF) conservation webinar taking place May 1 at noon CDT will feature John Swanson, Polk County water resources supervisor, Polk County Public Works. Swanson works to promote and facilitate projects and practices to protect and improve water quality in and around Polk County, Iowa. He helps to educate constituent groups within urban and rural communities about the benefits of water conservation practices and the importance of preserving and constructing wetlands.

In the webinar, “Urban Wetlands 101,” Swanson will provide an overview of the purpose and functions of urban wetlands and how they can be incorporated in the urban environment to improve water quality and reduce flooding. He will discuss practices including stormwater wetlands, oxbow restorations and floodplains which have been used strategically in Iowa to manage urban drainage. Swanson will also provide insights on the strategic placement of wetlands that can provide beautiful amenities while treating hundreds of acres of runoff.

“In a state dominated by agriculture, it is always good to remember that urban areas have their own environmental footprint, and wetlands are a key to minimizing water quality impacts,” said Swanson. “Urban wetlands are one of the most impactful practices that can be installed in urban areas to improve water quality, and the intrinsic benefits of providing recreational areas, wildlife habitat and stormwater management multiply the impact in many ways. I hope this webinar will spark interest in implementation of urban wetland practices.”

Participants are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.

Upcoming Webinars in the Series:

Up Next: Wednesday, May 8, “Decoding Iowa Farmers’ Understanding of Edge-of-Field Practices,” with Wendong Zhang, Cornell University

May 15: Matthew Streeter, University of Iowa, Iowa Geological Survey