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Two Rivers Project |
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The Two Rivers Project was started in 1999 as a response to frequent Fremont County flooding. The project is primarily funded by the Environmental Protection Agency, with contributions from the state of Iowa and Fremont SWCD. In 1999, a project coordinator was hired by Fremont SWCD to guide local landowners through various USDA wetland programs. Two coordinators were hired and moved on before David Carter took the reins in 2000. Carter was able to enroll over 5,000 frequently flooded acres into the Wetland Reserve Program, plus many more acres into various Conservation Reserve Programs, before accepting a position with the NRCS in 2005. Lucas Forney has since been hired to coordinate the project and assist wetland owners. Due to a temporary pause in these wet conditions, the Two Rivers Project was able to broaden its scope in the last few years. With the addition of Eric Nelson in 2004, the SWCD employees were able to spend much of their time working on Education and Outreach programs. One of Nelson’s duties was to assist and teach volunteers at the Southern Loess Hills Interpretive Welcome Center on the functions of wetlands. The district also hosts an annual wetland tour for the public to “show off” some of the work they have accomplished. They also spend time organizing an Earth Day celebration for high school students, a 5th grade conservation day, and numerous visits to area classrooms. With a very wet 2007, Fremont SWCD has already seen a rejuvenated interested in these USDA wetland programs, and hopes to see much more. For more information on the Two Rivers Project, please contact the Fremont SWCD by: phone 712.374.2014 ext 3, 503 West St., Sidney, IA 51652, or |
