Wings2Water

05/22/2026

Thank you The Gazette for covering our 2026 grants announcement!

Linn County Conservation, the Izaak Walton League of America and the University of Dubuque received funding to support water quality monitoring projects, wetland construction and river cleanup.

05/21/2026

We’re excited to share that we’re giving $30,000 in grants to innovative projects and education that not only improve local water quality but also raise awareness about the pressing issue of nutrient pollution!

These grants are made possible by generous support from corporate sponsors including GreenState Credit Union, TrueNorth, and New Leader Manufacturing, as well as round-it-up donations from travelers at the Eastern Iowa Airport • CID.

View Winners: https://www.wings2water.org/grants/

05/14/2026

Founder Marty Lenss saw a clear link between airports and water quality. With over 150 airports in the Mississippi River watershed, the potential for impact is huge.

At Eastern Iowa Airport • CID, travelers can learn and give back with ease, from displays to donation stations.

Small actions make big ripples.

05/12/2026

“In our society we want instant success. If you’re going to do something, you want to see where it paid off next year and two years, not five or eight,” Dan said. “But what I like about [cover crops] is you get less nitrates coming off your field.” Voss Farm

Story:

We need a legion of farmers who, like Dan Voss, are willing to quit making excuses, face facts and do far more of what needs to be done to clean up Iowa’s water.

04/29/2026

Did You Know that restoring and preserving wetlands is a powerful solution for our environment?

Wetlands:
- Reduce nitrogen levels
- Decrease flooding and runoff
- Lower ground and surface water pollution
- Save taxpayers money by cutting costly water management efforts

Let’s protect and restore these crucial ecosystems to ensure cleaner water and healthier communities.

04/27/2026

Saturday at was 😎☀️💚💧🌎

We look forward to this event each year, but this one was one of our favorites! It was great to be surrounded by so many community members excited to learn more about the different ways we can all take care of our environment.

A special thanks to everyone who stopped by the Wings2Water table with questions, curiosity, and kind words! When you join our newsletter, donate, share our mission, or round up your puchase at the Eastern Iowa Airport, you make a difference in our local water quality. 🤝

04/22/2026

Another great Earth Day at 🌎

04/22/2026

This Earth Day, we’re celebrating the individuals who wake up every day committed to making a difference.

Today is all about raising awareness of the need to protect Earth’s natural resources for future generations, and our Water Warriors are doing exactly that through conservation initiatives, farming practices, and water quality education.

04/20/2026

Mary Beth Stevenson helps lead large-scale water quality initiatives though the City of Cedar Rapids Iowa Government and has secured millions in funding to help protect the community’s drinking water. Her work centers on building practical partnerships with farmers and landowners, connecting them with financial support, educational resources, and grants for conservation tools like saturated buffers, denitrification bioreactors, and cover crops. Through collaboration and science-based strategies, Stevenson continues to play a key role in protecting the Cedar River and strengthening long-term water resilience for the region.

Learn more about our recent Water Warrior: wings2water.org/water-warrior