Soil Health & Watershed Groups

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) | Iowa

Boone River Watershed

North Central Iowa

The Nature Conservancy in Iowa: Protecting Nature. Preserving Life.

A Legacy of Conservation

Since 1963, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Iowa has worked to protect the state’s most treasured natural landscapes—from the sweeping prairies of the Loess Hills to the wetlands of the Mississippi River Basin. With over 20,000 acres protected, TNC has built a legacy of science-based, collaborative conservation that benefits both people and nature

Their vision for Iowa is bold: healthy lands and waters, sustainable agriculture, and thriving communities. They believe that conservation and agriculture can work hand in hand to create a more resilient future for all Iowans.

Oxbow Restoration: A Model for Impact

One of the most successful and innovative conservation strategies in Iowa has been the restoration of oxbows—U-shaped river bends that serve as biodiversity hotspots and natural water filters. Since 2010, TNC and its partners have restored 60 oxbows in the Boone River Watershed, with 25 more lined up for 2024.

These restorations have:

Created habitat for 57 fish species and 80 bird species
Supported the recovery of the federally endangered Topeka Shiner
Filtered up to 62% of nitrates from agricultural runoff
Increased floodwater storage and reduced downstream flooding
Engaged thousands of farmers, landowners, and conservation professionals

Thanks to repeated support from the Fishers & Farmers Partnership, this program has grown from a local pilot into a national model. The Boone River effort has inspired the creation of the Oxbow Restoration Toolkit, added oxbows to the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, and earned national recognition, including the 2024 Endangered Species Recovery Champion Award.

Powered by Partnerships

TNC’s work in Iowa is rooted in collaboration. Our oxbow restoration program and broader conservation efforts are made possible by a diverse coalition of partners, including:

Fishers & Farmers Partnership
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Iowa Soybean Association
NRCS and IDALS
Soil and Water Conservation Districts
Iowa DNR and Iowa Geological Survey
Iowa State University and University of Iowa IIHR
Microsoft, Coca-Cola Foundation, Apex Clean Energy
Local farmers, landowners, and watershed groups

Together, we are building a culture of conservation that spans generations and geographies.

Looking Ahead: Scaling Success

The success of the Boone River program has proven that oxbow restoration is a powerful tool for addressing Iowa’s most pressing environmental challenges. Moving forward, TNC will:

Replicate oxbow restoration in other priority watersheds across Iowa
Leverage lessons learned to guide future projects and partnerships
Promote sustainable agriculture through practices like cover crops and reduced tillage
Support climate resilience by restoring wetlands and floodplains
Share our research and tools to help other states replicate our success

With nearly 400 potential oxbow sites identified in Iowa, the opportunity for impact is enormous. Our goal is to restore at least 10 oxbows per year, strategically targeting areas where we can improve habitat, water quality, and community resilience.