This week we are highlighting the great work of Prairie Rivers of Iowa and the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, happening in Ames this weekend.
Mike Kellner is joining us today to update us on their important work in central Iowa and beyond and also share details about the film festival. Mike has a background in photography and journalism and is now the public relations and marketing coordinator for Prairie Rivers of Iowa. Their mission, as stated on their website, is to promote economic development through the restoration and conservation of Iowa’s cultural and natural resources. They respect and elevate the integrity of the natural, historical, and cultural resources in Iowa and advocate sustainability for present and future generations through advocacy, partnerships, education, assessments, and transparency.
We need more of this these days!! I truly believe that the best way to shore up economic development is to include an equal focus on the other two legs of the three-legged stool—environmental sustainability and our social networks. Prairie Rivers of Iowa is doing this!
Key Takeaways from our discussion:
- Prairie Rivers of Iowa advocates for conservation efforts on the ground through prairie restorations, pollinator gardens, a seed bank, threatened species tracking, water quality monitoring, and managing the historic Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway
- This year’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival is subtitled “Where Activism Gets Inspired”
- Partnering with the City of Ames, the featured guest presenter is ecologist Chris Taliga with the Natural Resources Conservation Service National Plants Data Team
- The festival’s finale film is the Iowa PBS documentary Iowa Land and Sky: Iowa Cities, Towns and Waterways. One of the producers, Travis Graven, will give a special presentation after the film
- Ames was named the Iowa River Revival Town of the Year this year
- They are also hosting a river clean-up on Saturday, Oct. 2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Mike’s final word’s of wisdom: Our environment belongs to everyone; we hope that you can be inspired to action
“The more clearly we can focus our attention
On the wonders and realities of the
Universe about us
The less taste we shall have
For destruction.”
~ Rachel Carson
“Said the river . . .
Imagine everything you can imagine,
Then keep on going.
~ Mary Oliver
Thank you for listening to today’s discussion. Let’s continue the conversation and learn from each other.