{"id":6448,"date":"2023-01-17T10:01:43","date_gmt":"2023-01-17T16:01:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iowawatercenter.org\/?post_type=news&p=6448"},"modified":"2023-01-17T10:01:43","modified_gmt":"2023-01-17T16:01:43","slug":"iowa-learning-farms-webinar-science-based-restoration-and-management-of-functional-floodplain","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.iowawatercenter.org\/news\/iowa-learning-farms-webinar-science-based-restoration-and-management-of-functional-floodplain\/","title":{"rendered":"Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: Science-Based Restoration and Management of Functional Floodplain"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Iowa Learning Farms<\/a> (ILF) conservation webinar taking place Jan. 25 at noon CST will feature Maria Lemke, director of conservation science, The Nature Conservancy, Illinois<\/a>. Lemke is a freshwater biologist with the Conservancy who works with partners to implement and quantify the effectiveness of agricultural conservation practices in the Mackinaw River watershed. Her research encompasses understanding the effectiveness of agricultural practices in improving water quality and hydrology and floodplain restoration metrics at the Emiquon Preserve in central Illinois.<\/p>\n

Iowa Learning Farms is an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach conservation and water quality education program.<\/p>\n

In the webinar, \u201cThe Nature Conservancy\u2019s Emiquon Preserve: Science-Based Restoration and Management of Functional Floodplain Along the Illinois River,\u201d Lemke will highlight the history and restoration progress in the Emiquon Preserve, a historic floodplain that was separated from the river by levees in the 1920s for agricultural production. She will discuss the project objectives of restoring ecological floodplain processes and habitats that promote and sustain native species and communities. In addition, Lemke will showcase the Key Ecological Attributes (KEA) framework for assessing restoration success.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the recent completion of a water control structure, we are well-positioned to improve the conservation status of those floodplain and riverine targets in the preserve that depend on water management and river connectivity,\u201d said Lemke. \u201cOur efforts and studies of the Emiquon Preserve make a significant contribution to understanding large river floodplain restoration in the central United States region and have implications for restoration of critically threatened river ecosystems. The KEA framework provides for strategic and systematic monitoring and consistent assessments which can support similar restoration of ecological integrity efforts in watersheds and floodplains.\u201d<\/p>\n

Participants are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.<\/p>\n

Webinar Access Instructions<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n