Iowa Soil & Water Conservation Week Kickoff- Corteva Wetlands Project

Johnston, IA- Polk County, Iowa, has been diligently focusing on watershed efforts in the Beaver Creek Watershed. In a significant partnership, Polk County has joined forces with Corteva Agriscience, the Great Outdoors Foundation, IDALS Water Quality Initiative, Polk Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD), Beaver Creek Watershed Management Authority (WMA) and Boone SWCD to undertake the construction of wetlands and floodplain improvements on Corteva's 1100-acre corporate campus along Beaver Creek in Johnston, Iowa. This innovative project aims to utilize wetlands and floodplain habitat restoration to address both urban and agricultural drainage issues on the site. Ultimately, the project will serve as a cornerstone for educational resources, benefiting thousands of individuals who visit annually.

The proposed wetlands at Corteva and the campus as a whole will create a distinctive nexus of agricultural and urban landscapes. Situated within an urban community, the campus has a long-term vision to sustainably farm several hundred acres of row crops. These crops will not only be utilized for agricultural purposes but also for creating trails and fostering educational opportunities.

This project presents a unique opportunity for Corteva to showcase its commitment to environmental stewardship. By integrating wetlands and floodplain improvements into its corporate campus, Corteva is not only demonstrating its dedication to the environment but also providing a valuable educational resource for visitors.

What Partners Are Saying

John Swanson- Polk County Water Resources Supervisor

“Building new partnerships has set the stage for making regional impacts on water quality. With each new partner we are ramping up our efforts to put projects on the ground, one wetland at a time we are making a difference.”

Dr. Sam Eathington- Executive Vice President-Chief Technology and Digital Officer of Corteva Agriscience

“Corteva is an innovative, global agricultural leader with deep roots in Iowa. I want to thank Corteva, the many partners who invested in this project, and the hundreds of others across Iowa who are accelerating the pace of this important work. Iowa has set records for conservation each of the last two years and we want to keep breaking records year after year.”

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig

“Celebrating the start of yet another impactful water quality project is a great way to kick off Iowa Soil and Water Conservation Week,” said Secretary Naig. “Corteva is an innovative, global agricultural leader with deep roots in Iowa. I want to thank Corteva, the many partners who invested in this project, and the hundreds of others across Iowa who are accelerating the pace of this important work. Iowa has set records for conservation each of the last two years and we want to keep breaking records year after year.”

Jen Cross- Great Outdoors Foundation Vice President of Donor Relations

“It’s exciting to see investments in the Conservation Fund enabling wetland initiatives and great projects. We are encouraged by the level of engagement around water quality and believe there has never been a better time to collaborate and innovate.”