2022 IAWA Iowa Watershed Award Winners
Watershed Coordinator of the Year
Josh Balk
DNR Watershed and Source Water Coordinator
One of Balk’s main focuses has been the Dry Run Creek Watershed Improvement Project in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls area. To address the stream’s impairment from stormwater runoff and stream sedimentation, Balk and his peers have focused on streamside work and community engagement – both of which are bearing fruit after years of hard work.
Impact Award - Private Sector
Charlie Schafer
Agri Drain and Ecosystems Services Exchange founder
Schafer’s leadership at Agri Drain, ESE, and numerous ag conservation organizations has helped scale up and push forward efforts to improve water quality in Iowa and across the U.S. Through his companies, Schafer has invested significant funds and resources into improved ag drainage management, an essential part of the overall water quality improvement picture.
Impact Award - Public Sector
Mary Beth Stevenson
City of Cedar Rapids Watersheds & Source Water Program Manager
In her position at the City, Stevenson has played a key role in large-scale water quality efforts, including the Cedar River Source Water Partnership (CRSWP). Under Stevenson’s leadership, the CRSWP will add both in-field and edge-of-field practices in the Cedar River Watershed. Her work has also led to the expansion of the “Batch & Build” model in Grundy, Black Hawk, Buchanan, Tama, and Benton counties.