2023 IAWA Iowa Watershed Award Winners
Watershed Coordinator of the Year
Josh Balk
Iowa DNR Dry Run Creek (Black Hawk County) watershed and source water coordinator
In his role as at the Iowa DNR, one of Josh 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 Corp. founder and president
Charlie Schafer’s leadership at Agri Drain, Ecosystems Services Exchange (ESE), and several ag conservation organizations has helped scale up and push forward efforts to improve water quality in Iowa and across the U.S. He has invested significant resources into improved agricultural drainage management practices, which form 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 the past year, Stevenson has organized, lead, and participated in more than 40 outreach events with a diverse audience of farmers, businesses, members of the public, watershed management authorities, and government officials. 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).