Midwest Nature-Based Solutions Workshop
The Midwest Nature-Based Solutions Workshop convenes researchers, practitioners, agency partners, nonprofit leaders, community representatives, and other professionals working to advance natural infrastructure and watershed scale resilience. The workshop places an emphasis on dialogue and building solutions with peers, as each presentation is followed by an hour of self-reflection and small group discussion. The Summer 2026 Midwest Nature-Based Solutions Workshop brought together 53 leaders from the water community from 8 states plus Washington D.C.
Iowa Mayors Design Workshop
The IMDW is an annual event modeled after the Mayors' Institute on City Design, but tailored to the Iowa environment. Each year, six mayors from Iowa communities participate in a two-day workshop that inspires problem solving and innovative solutions to community design issues. This is done through collaboration and relationship-building between mayors, practicing professionals, academics, and community and economic development (CED) field specialists. The Water Resilience Collaborative participates in site visits to these communities and serves on the IMDW resource team to provide insight on water-related challenges.
Adaptive and Sustainable Natural and Built Environment Focus Area
The WRC partners with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach to lead the Water Resilience priority program area of the Adaptive and Sustainable Natural and Built Environment Focus Area. The focus area is an initiative launched by ISU Extension and Outreach to increase research, outreach, and education regarding the challenges that climate variability and extremes pose to natural and built infrastructure. The water resilience program area builds on ISU’s leadership in water security and watershed management to promote resilient landscapes and communities. An element of the Focus Area is a summer fellowship program, and the 2026 Water Resilience fellow is Dr. Joe Charbonnet, who is conducting applied research and outreach about resilient stormwater management practices.
Private Well Stewardship Program
The Private Well Stewardship Program is an educational program offered through Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in which private well owners learn about the responsibilities and risks of being a private well owner and are connected to additional resources to manage their well. The main goal of the program is to encourage private well owners to test their water quality once per year.
