Conservation Districts of Iowa

In 2010, Iowans voted for a constitutional amendment to create the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund, a permanent and protected funding source dedicated to clean water, productive agricultural soils and thriving wildlife habitat. Yet 16 years later — despite growing support and a growing need — the fund remains empty.

It's time to Fund the Trust.

This summer, meetings will be held across the state to bring people together around this important issue. Gather to learn more about the Trust Fund's quality of life and economic impacts, connect with other Iowans over shared values, and be part of the grassroots effort to move this forward. We hope to see you there.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today joined Governor Kim Reynolds when she signed House File 2771, the Agriculture and Natural Resources budget, which includes new investments in water quality to support Farm to Faucet infrastructure improvements up and downstream.

The Farm to Faucet legislation restructures the state’s water excise tax distribution formula and makes strategic one-time investments that will provide nearly $320 million in water quality investments over the next 12 years.

We're hiring!

Conservation Districts of Iowa
Conservation Wetland Specialist
West Union, Iowa
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Anticipated Start Date: Upon successful background check
The successful applicant would work in the following area:
• Housed in the West Union USDA-NRCS office covering USDA-NRCS NE Area
These positions are funded through an agreement between the Conservation Districts of Iowa and the Iowa Natural Resource Conservation Service. Funding is secured through September of 2027 with the opportunity for extension.
Job Description:
Conservation Wetland Specialists will work to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands on private lands in Iowa by assisting with the delivery of USDA’s Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE) as well as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Wetlands created using ACEP-WRE and CRP provide habitat for migratory waterfowl and other wetland dependent wildlife, including threatened and endangered species; improves water quality by filtering sediments and chemicals; reduces flooding; recharges groundwater; protects biological diversity; provides resilience to climate change; and provides opportunities for educational, scientific and limited recreational activities.
As a Conservation Districts of Iowa (CDI) employee, you would work in partnership with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). You would serve as a member of the NRCS Easement Team, receiving training and daily direction from the NRCS Area Easement Specialist for the effective delivery of the ACEP-WRE program. You would also work closely with the DNR Private Lands Biologist to receive training on wildlife habitat assessment, development, and management to help ensure the intended wildlife benefits of the ACEP-WRE program.
We expect the successful candidate to develop into an integral part of the effective delivery of wetland conservation using ACEP and CRP. This will involve coordinating with landowners and the easement team to develop applications, conservation management plans, compatible use authorizations, and restoration and/or stewardship plans. Additionally, the successful candidate will be responsible for conducting on-site and off-site monitoring and providing technical assistance and consultation to easement holders. At the end of the first year, success would mean that you have developed the skills and relationships necessary to assist landowners and your team members to implement wetland restoration, protection, and enhancement on the landscape using ACEP and CRP.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with landowners and partner agencies.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse clientele.
• Ability to work outdoors in wetland environments and associated risks and difficulties, including but not limited to temperature, water, terrain, insects, and others.
• Knowledge of wildlife ecology, wetland-associated threatened and endangered species, and wetland and upland management including the ability to utilize various habitat management tools in the development of management plans.
• Knowledge of basic land survey principles, including use of laser-planes, GPS, and other survey instruments.
• Knowledge of agricultural drainage practices, systems, and moist-soil management.
• Knowledge of basic legal documents as related to land ownership and management.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Proficiency with computer software programs such as Microsoft Office, ArcGIS or USDA Conservation Desktop.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Valid driver’s license required; some use of personal vehicle may be required (mileage reimbursement provided).
• Ability to utilize UTV/ATV, including transport of such vehicles by trailer.
• Some overnight and evening work required.
• Able to obtain USDA Federal Security Clearance.
Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor of Science Degree in Conservation Ecology or closely related natural resources field and 1-year related field experience in wetland or wildlife habitat development and management.
Benefits to the Applicant:
• Professional Development: Gain valuable experience and skills in wetland restoration, protection, and enhancement while working alongside experienced professionals in the field.
• Impactful Work: Contribute to meaningful conservation efforts that benefit local ecosystems and wildlife, and make a tangible difference in environmental protection.
• Networking Opportunities: Build strong professional relationships with landowners and conservation organizations, expanding your network within the industry.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and expertise through hands-on experience and professional development opportunities. Previous staff members have successfully leveraged their experience to secure permanent positions within the conservation field, demonstrating the strong potential for career advancement as a result of this experience.
• Compensation and Benefits:
o Hourly Rate: $18.47/hour
o Health Benefits: Comprehensive health insurance coverage
o Retirement Package: Retirement savings plan
o Paid Time Off: Paid holidays and paid leave
o Opportunities for Raises: Potential for salary increases based on performance
Please note that CDI reserves the right to amend or terminate any benefit plans. Participation in these benefits does not constitute a contract or guarantee of future employment.
To Apply: Please include your cover letter indicating which position(s) you are applying for, your resume, and three professional references as one PDF file. Send to Dien Judge at [email protected]. CDI is an equal opportunity employer.

Please check out the May 2026 edition of our newsletter, CONNECTIONS!

CONNECTIONS – May 2026 Please check out CDI's May issue of our newsletter, CONNECTIONS! May 2026 Connections

CDI Scholarship Committee announces 2026 CDI scholars

Conservation Districts of Iowa’s Scholarship Committee met in early April to review the regional scholarship nominations for 2026, with a total of $9,000 in scholarships to be awarded.

Vella Batdorf, of Bettendorf, was named the winner of the top scholarship of $3,000 for 2026. Vella’s nomination forms were very impressive, amidst a group of other very impressive nominees.
”During my many years on this committee, I’ve never seen applications as amazing as those from the top two!” said longtime Scholarship Committee member Ramona Nitz. “Thank you to all of the regional directors who forwarded all of the regional winning applications to us. Let’s continue to encourage districts to participate in this project by sponsoring their own scholarships and contributing to our CDI scholarship fund. Great students out there who deserve the best!”

Lily Moeller, of Orange City, will take the second prize scholarship of $2,000, and Cole Kastner, of Kiron, will take the third place scholarship of $1,000. The six other regional scholarship winners will each receive a scholarship award in the amount of $500.

Those students receiving the $500 scholarship are: Tucker Freese, of Lake View; Bree Balk, of Lawler; Mae Wedemeier, of Maynard; Henderson Gustafson, of Boone; Cael Hogan, of Corning, and Culee Smith, of Bloomfield.

CDI raises funds throughout the year to cover the costs of the scholarship. One of the main sources of funding comes from the silent auction held each year at the CDI Annual Conference. Soil and Water Conservation Districts can donate items for the silent auction any time of year, and individuals are welcome to make tax-deductible contributions to the CDI Scholarship Fund.

To donate to the scholarship program, please send checks to:
Conservation Districts of Iowa
Scholarship Fund
2015 Grand Ave. Box 15
Des Moines, IA 50312

It takes over 100 years to form just 1 inch of topsoil.🌱📅

This rate depends on several factors, including parent rock material, climate and weathering conditions, organic material accumulation, vegetative cover and land use, and biological activity like worms, fungi, and microbes.

In areas with rich biological activity and moisture, topsoil might form in 100 years. In dry, cold, or heavily disturbed regions, it may take 500 to even 1000 years!

Soil is a living and slowly renewing resource. Protecting what we have is much easier than rebuilding what we lose.

The healthier the soil, the more microorganisms it can support, along with greater diversity that helps cycle nutrients and support plant growth. In poor soils, both the number and variety of microorganisms drop, which weakens the soil system and reduces its ability to support healthy plants. 🪱🤎

Soil is made up of layers! These layers can be hundreds and thousands of years old. When digging into soil, you are literally digging into history. Every layer tells a story; it’s like the earth’s own natural history book.

🌱 Topsoil – Where plants grow and roots live
💧 Subsoil – Stores water and nutrients
🪨 Parent Material – Pieces of rock breaking down
🟫 Bedrock – The solid rock below all layers