Addresses effectiveness of nutrient reduction wetlands in targeted watersheds under the iowa crep project

Iowa State University of Science and Technology received a $1,149,741 Cooperative Agreement from the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (CFDA 10.912), awarded on September 19, 2025, with an ultimate completion date of September 30, 2030. The award supports research and technical services addressing the effectiveness of nutrient reduction wetlands in targeted watersheds under the Iowa Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) project. This initiative aligns with EQIP's focus on optimizing environmental benefits and promoting agricultural production as compatible national goals, with particular emphasis on watershed nutrient management—a priority conservation area supported through the program.

The Cooperative Agreement leverages Iowa State University's extensive expertise in agricultural research and environmental conservation to deliver technical assistance, research support, and practical guidance for implementing nutrient reduction wetland practices across Iowa watersheds. As a land-grant research institution with demonstrated federal capabilities in environmental sustainability and agricultural science, the university will work directly with farmers, ranchers, and non-industrial private forest land owners participating in the Iowa CREP to implement, monitor, and evaluate wetland conservation practices designed to reduce nutrient runoff and improve water quality in targeted watershed areas.