Building Community Through Conservation

Research, action, and community. 

These are the building blocks of Water Scholar, Dr. Linda Shenk’s ongoing research project that brings together a diverse community-university team—researchers and students from Iowa State, the City of Ames, and community residents at the Crawford Condominiums in Campustown. What they are building together is a way of fostering community through conservation—a combination that, research studies suggest, is a key for creating resilient communities.

For the past two years, Dr. Shenk has been collaborating with Water Scholar hydrologist Dr. Kristie Franz to create a storytelling-based computer simulation model called “Watershed Community.” Shenk describes that the model “encourages individuals and community groups to join their personal stories of land, weather, water, and community with the stories of science. Often, scientists and communities are encouraged to tell stories to each other to build connections and understanding. The “Watershed Community” model is designed to allows researchers and community members to tell stories with other each and then put those stories into action.” 

 Dr. Shenk finds working with the Crawford group inspiring and loved working with them in part because “you can hear the diversity of people and ideas among us, and that has been one of the most exciting aspects of our collaboration.” Since Fall of 2019, the following group has been working together:

Team Members 

● Dr. Linda Shenk and Dr. Kristie Franz (professors at Iowa State University) 

● Janeen Christy & Bob Anders (Crawford Condominium residents) 

● Dhruv Raturi & Michael Moreno (Students at Iowa State University) 

● Liz Calhoun (Stormwater Resource Analyst) 

This collaboration started as a conversation between Liz Calhoun with City of Ames and Crawford residents, Janeen Christy & Bob Anders. Calhoun then suggested including Dr. Shenk in these conversations because of her focused research on community building and sustainability. That led to adding the help of Dhruv Raturi and Michael Moreno, who are current Iowa State students. The whole group came together at Dr. Shenk’s “Watershed Community” model event back in November of 2019. At that event, the group had dinner together, told their stories with the model, explored possibilities, and devised some thoughts for projects that are coming to fruition. Dedicated to working together even as the COVID-19 pandemic changed their plans, they have met virtually and done socially distanced action projects—from tree plantings to composting. Planting native prairie plants is a future goal.

The Crawford Condominiums in Campustown consist of residents who are 55 years and older. This fairly new community is an adaptive reuse condo with a large shared, natural space. “This is the first time for many of us where we don’t have our own little corner of the world to garden, so I think many of us were hungry for that,” says Janeen Christy, Crawford Condominium Resident. “Everyone has a different lifestyle, even when it comes to composting. It was more than just creating a great compost bucket for everyone. The main goal was to build a resilient community between the current residents by bringing together conservation practices.” As a result of this collaboration, she adds “We are this really unlikely, motley crew—Boomers, Gen X, Y, Z;  different genders, different ethnicities, different ages.” And it all works!

Although the initial plan was to have that native planting project, they have found tree planting and composting better first projects to tackle during the pandemic. Dhruv Raturi speaks about dealing with food waste and states that “Cooking is good, but food waste is bad. I found that I was slowly manipulating people into worrying about climate change.” Practices such as maintaining soil health and preventing climate change are important to maintain a sustainable future. This group also believes that focusing on small bits of work is a part of the larger process. Projects like these are more likely to be achieved with the help of people in the local community because they get that sense of fulfillment when helping each other. 

This diverse community-university team is always open to working with new people and learning from one another. They have plans underway for more projects and collaborations—a balance of greening the community and supporting each other that they express has been so important to their resilience during the pandemic. As Bob Anders put it, “For me I had no idea that this would spread beyond my living community, and it has. It has brought in a whole new group of friends: people who have interests in common, people that I would have never had an opportunity to meet and be a part of their lives.  I believe in the legacy idea—look that is tree I planted, but what has given me is pleasure in the present, and that is important to me, especially in the present time [COVID]. It’s been a part of my resilience.”

By: Kelyin Chng, Outreach and Engagement Assistant

We Proudly Present GISW 2020

Getting into Soil and Water 2020

In its eleventh year, Getting into Soil and Water remains dedicated to educating a broader audience on soil and water conservation and the preservation of environmental quality. Soil and water affect our lives in hidden and not-so-hidden ways, providing a medium for food production, delivering ecosystem services, and sequestering carbon dioxide to mitigate global climate change. As co-editors of the 2020 edition, we have had the special opportunity to explore these issues and trends in soil and water, and to create a publication to share others’ insights and research findings with you. Our team of three co-editors is made up of Jacob Wright, Shannon Breja, and Justin Hunter. We wanted to share with you a little bit about ourselves and what soil and water conservation means to us.

 

Jacob Wright: I am a senior in agronomy and environmental studies and joined the Soil and Water Conservation Club in the spring of 2017. Growing up on a dairy farm in Virginia, I always saw numerous articles and heard discussion about nutrient contamination in the Chesapeake Bay. This peaked my interest for soil and water conservation, and being a part of this club and publication has allowed me to learn more about current research and issues in this field of study. I have learned a lot from co-editing through reading different research studies and seeing the diverse perspectives and ideas that came together to showcase the variety of opportunities in soil and water conservation.

Shannon Breja: I am a junior studying agronomy and seed science, and I became a member of the Soil and Water Conservation Club in the fall of 2017. Although I grew up surrounded by agriculture, I did not realize the urgency of conservation until coming to college. With the environmental impacts of agriculture becoming increasingly prevalent, the club has allowed me to learn about current conservation issues. The club has also allowed me to be co-editor of this publication to share some of these relevant issues and provide different perspectives about them. My hope for all of you is that Getting into Soil and Water will increase your knowledge of conservation and strengthen your interests in it.

Justin Hunter: I am a senior in agronomy and joined the Soil and Water Conservation Club in the fall of 2017. My interest in conservation started my freshman year of college. Learning about the effects of soil erosion and water contamination motivated me to always try to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem. This club has allowed me to connect with people who share the same motivation as myself and to gain additional knowledge on agricultural conservation practices. Being a co- editor on this year’s publication has brought great opportunities in networking with authors and learning more about the current conservation practices that are working today. I hope this publication gets the readers thinking about conservation and how these practices can improve both agriculture and the environment.

 

This publication would not be possible without the great help of our committee members. We would like to thank them for their dedication to making this publication unique and informative. We would also like to thank our advisors, Dr. Rick Cruse, Dr. Bradley Miller, Hanna Bates, and Heidi Ackerman for their knowledge and support throughout the publication process. They have been essential to this publication, and we are so thankful for them.

Finally, we need to send a huge thanks to you, our readers. Your support has given us the opportunity to create the eleventh edition of Getting into Soil and Water, and we are excited to continue these publications for years to come.

Visit the full publication on the ISU Soil and Water Conservation Club page.

Jadidoleslam Selected as a Recipient for the Iowa Water Center’s Research Grant Competition

Written by Meghan Hanley

Ames, Iowa – The Iowa Water Center (IWC) annually administers a statewide grant competition known as the IWC Graduate Student Supplemental Research Competition.

The purpose of this funding is to help graduate students complete additional research objectives beyond the scope of their current work, with an emphasis on submitting their research to peer-reviewed publications.

Navid Jadidoleslam has been selected, along with three other graduate students across Iowa, as recipients for this year’s grant competition. Each recipient will receive funding for various different research studies.

Jadidoleslam’s proposed research is focused around developing software to improve the way hydrologic data are visualized and published. This new open-source software is named Hydrovise.

The goal behind Hydrovise is to make the process of hydrologic data visualization and analysis more user friendly. Hydrovise allows users to assess data in space, time and variable data cubes – without using a database. This software enables users to visualize time-series and geospatial data with minimal effort or background knowledge on web development. Hydrovise is a tool for communicating hydrologic data in an interactive and transparent way. Users can easily visualize and publish hydrologic datasets in Open Data journals or alongside their publications as well.

Hydrovise is an open-source code published under MIT license terms. You can learn more about Hydrovise here.

Get to know Navid Jadidoleslam, a PhD student at the University of Iowa.

Jadidoleslam is originally from Tabriz, Iran where he earned his undergraduate degree in civil engineering in 2012. He then started his master’s degree at Istanbul Technical University, where his studies focused on hydraulic and water resources engineering. After obtaining his master’s, Jadidoleslam researched different PhD programs at universities in the U.S.  and chose the University of Iowa due to the Iowa Institute for Hydraulic Research’s (IIHR) esteemed reputation in water resources engineering.

Jadidoleslam works at the Iowa Flood Center, intending to continue his research in academia in the hydroscience field. He felt as though the IWC Graduate Student Research Competition would be a great opportunity for him to gain practice in grant proposal writing and to learn the procedure that goes along with the application process. This ultimately led him to apply for the IWC’s annual funding program.

One aspect of Jadidoleslam’s proposal topic that interests him the most is the visual representation of data in an interactive way that can provide more understanding of hydrologic data and the models that go along with the research.

Jadidoleslam also shared that his favorite part of the research process is the continuous learning that occurs. The hydrologic data and models are constantly evolving with the availability of new satellite-based remote sensing platforms. He explained that he tries to learn more by doing a variety of projects under the main research focus in his studies, and he enjoys sharing his work and results with his peers.

In Jadidoleslam’s down time, he has an interest in photography that stems from his childhood. He enjoys taking landscape photographs while he experiences different aspects of nature. Jadidoleslam also takes delight in cooking, baking bread, singing and playing guitar.

Book Club Discussion: Alex Braidwood

We interview Alex Braidwood, Iowa State University, regarding his work as a designer and sound artist. This was part of our Water Scholars Book Club June pick, Blue Mind by Wallace J. Nichols.

Iowa Water Center Announces Available Research Grants

The Iowa Water Center Annual Competitive Grants Competition is open for faculty and graduate students at accredited institutions in the State of Iowa. This year, the Iowa Water Center is offering two funding opportunities: Graduate Student Supplemental Research Competition and a Targeted Seed Grant Research Competition.

The Graduate Student Supplemental Research Competition has funding of up to $5,000 for one-year projects for a maximum of three graduate students nearing completion of their program of study. This program allows for students to complete additional research objectives or products beyond the scope of their current water-related funded project. For this opportunity, proposals must address topics related to water resource management in Iowa. Iowa Water Center staff is available to assist students in the development of their submissions.

The Targeted Seed Grant Research Competition is intended to address the most pressing water research needs in Iowa, as determined by Iowa Water Center Advisory Board. The focus area for this opportunity is to assess the impacts of COVID-19 on water, the environment, and connected social-ecological systems. Potential topics of interest regarding COVID-19 impacts include precipitation and discharge; lakes, rivers, and streams; water infrastructure; effluent management, and water quality; and virus transport in the aquatic environment. Funding is available for up to $20,000 for this funding opportunity.

Research proposals must follow RFP guidelines and can be submitted to the Iowa Water Center via email (send to iowawatercenter@iastate.edu). All applicants must provide an intent to submit notice by October 8, 2020 by 5PM Central Time.

Proposals are due October 15, 2020 by 5PM Central Time. Late proposals will not be accepted.

Access full RFP here.

Water Quality, Social Well-being Linkages Focus of Grant Opportunity

The Iowa Water Center and Iowa Nutrient Research Center at Iowa State University will jointly fund research to explore the linkages between water quality and social well-being for Iowa communities.

The research focus for this request for proposals is social justice and equity issues surrounding populations impacted by water pollution from nitrogen and phosphorus. By seeking to understand downstream impacts and social well-being in relation to nutrient issues, the RFP will address the wellbeing of all members of society within the larger agroecosystem of the Mississippi River Basin.

Potential topics include:

  • Assessment of nutrient impacts on tourism/recreation,
  • Water quality impacts on rural communities and water utility associations,
  • Management and monitoring strategies by downstream communities,
  • Assessment of community and watershed coalition activities to address nutrient management issues.

Studies focused on human-health impacts do not qualify for this RFP.

“Water is a critical, though too-often overlooked, aspect of quality of life,” said Iowa Water Center Director Rick Cruse. “Potable water is vulnerable to the presence of excess nutrients. This can lead to disproportionate impacts on vulnerable communities. We want to encourage new research on the social aspects of nutrient pollution, which is vitally needed as we seek to improve Iowa’s water quality for all our citizens.”

Projects must be led by Iowa State University, the University of Iowa or the University of Northern Iowa. Priority will be given to proposals that engage early career faculty or engage graduate and undergraduate students. Also, projects that include the U.S. Geological Survey as a partner will receive extra attention. Other research partners can include local communities, utilities, agencies, businesses and landowners.

Applicants must submit a proposal intention by Oct. 23, 2020, 5 p.m. CDT, with full proposals due Oct. 30, 5 p.m. CDT. Funded projects may start as early as December 2020 and must be completed by Dec. 31, 2021.  

The total amount available is $40,000 to support  one or multiple projects. Funding for this grant opportunity comes from the Iowa Nutrient Research Center and the Iowa Water Center. Matching funds are not required for this grant competition.

Access full RFP here. 

Braidwood Moderates the Iowa Water Scholars’ June 2020 Book Club Discussion

By: Meghan Hanley, Outreach and Engagement Assistant

 

The Iowa Water Center started the Iowa Water Scholars Book Club where members of the Iowa Water Scholars community read and discuss novels on pressing water issues.

For the June 2020 book club discussion, the Iowa Water Scholars Book Club read Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do, or Blue Mind for short, authored by Wallace J. Nichols. This novel delves into the science behind why people are drawn to water, as well as the many benefits this has.

Alex Braidwood is a professional sound artist, designer, and educator. He records sounds found in nature and the relationship between art and science.

Just as music exemplifies emotions, Braidwood explains that sounds in nature also hold a lot of information. This information, presented in a unique platform, creates an opportunity for new discussions to happen in several communities, especially in the art and science communities.

While people may typically think art and science are two separate worlds, they often collide without anyone noticing. Braidwood views artists and scientists to have jobs that complement each other.

A similarity that Braidwood has found throughout the years working with both artists and scientists is that both occupations have comparable starting processes.

First, they start with a question, then they go through a process to figure out how they can find their answer. Although both fields of work start from different perspectives, they both require detailed observations, documentation, questions and methods in order to reach their end goal.

Both occupations come along with very in depth concepts and information. Because of this, it can be very difficult to disseminate the information found with people outside of their field. This is when scientists and artists can collaborate to help each other. In Braidwood’s view, scientists and artists have a cyclical relationship. Since both occupations derive from varying perspectives, this can allow a scientist to review an artist’s work, and vice versa, and create the opportunity to bring up new viewpoints, as well as help make the information more accessible for the public to understand.

One of Braidwood’s intentions of his work in acoustic ecology is to help people be more aware and appreciative of their surroundings. Braidwood commonly refers back to the term “active listener.” He explained that the act of hearing is the mechanical process ears go through, but listening is when the mind is involved and engaged. In order to help people become more aware of their environment, Braidwood tries to implement several participatory projects in his work, such as walking tours.

In Blue Mind, mindfulness is discussed frequently, and Braidwood shared that he had to learn several lessons about being able to just sit in silence. He also presented a few tips for people to practice if they are wanting to improve their active listening skills. He said that simple exercises are the best way to start. First, start off small, and just pay attention to your ears and the sounds you are retrieving. Then, start testing yourself. What is the smallest sound you hear? What is the farthest sound? What are you hearing to your left? To your right? Being able to center the mind on hearing comes with different psychological calming effects that everyone can benefit from.

Braidwood has always been drawn to sound. He grew up playing in bands and always enjoyed music, then started studying as a graphic designer and would incorporate sounds within motion designs. His interest in electronic music spiked his curiosity to research how sound and communication coincide. Along with playing music in his younger years, Braidwood also spent a lot of his time outdoors. It wasn’t until around the time that he was starting graduate school that he realized he could combine these two parts of his life.

Braidwood has done sound projects all over the world, ranging from Australian national parks to Iowa farms. A major area that Braidwood often returns to is the Iowa Great Lakes region in Northwest Iowa. With all of the prairieland, wetland and lakes, Braidwood explained that he is able to retrieve very rich and diverse soundscapes. He also shared that his favorite nature sound is a thunderstorm.

“It’s my favorite sound for a bunch of different reasons,” said Braidwood. “I have done enough [self] investigation of this and it comes from growing up in Michigan and having epic thunderstorms rip through, and then living in Southern California with very few thunderstorms, and to now come to Iowa and experience the Midwest Plains version of a thunderstorm … it doesn’t even compare.”

Blue Mind brought up the idea that everyone is drawn to water in some capacity. Braidwood agreed with this theory, and mentioned that he was initially drawn to the novel because of this idea. He explained that he had never thought of water as in depth of a concept as that before, but after reading this novel, it helped him have an understanding of why this is.

If you would like to watch the full recorded discussion with Alex Braidwood, here is the link.

If you are interested in joining the Water Scholars community, visit our Water Scholars page.

You can view some of Alex’s work here.

A Message from the Iowa Water Center

There’s not much we can say to fully capture the whirlwind of the last few weeks and what’s to come as we prepare and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Iowa Water Center staff is fortunate in that we can work remotely, continuing to advance water science to meet Iowa’s water resource needs. We applaud those who are doing their part to practice social distancing and are eternally grateful to those providing essential services outside the comfort and safety of their homes.

We will greatly miss hosting the Iowa Water Conference this year. We know that the conference is more than just a professional development opportunity – seeing each other face-to-face, provoking critical thought, and engaging in productive dialogue with our colleagues is an invaluable activity that is difficult to replicate virtually. At the One Water Summit in Austin, TX this past September, Pisces Foundation President David Beckman said something that resonated with us: “Relationships ARE infrastructure!” This statement is the crux of the work that we do.

To that end, we encourage you to stay connected with each other, and with us, over the coming weeks and months. We planned to use the conference hashtag #IowaWater2020 on Twitter and Facebook for the rest of the year in an effort to keep the conversation going. Now, we’ll use it as we introduce you to water scientists and practitioners, produce and promote virtual learning opportunities, and engage you in the water conversation all year long. We hope you will use it, too.

Our focus will remain on building a robust and connected water science community. We look forward to adapting and innovating during these challenging times.

 

2020 Iowa Water Conference Update

Iowa State University continues to monitor the outbreak of COVID-19 in cooperation with local, state and federal authorities. Conference leaders are evaluating options for the conference as the situation progresses. The safety of our students, faculty, staff and guests is the highest priority.

Continue reading