LINN COUNTY, IA October 16- Wings2Water, a fundraising platform for water quality projects in Linn and Johnson Counties, has officially launched providing a way for anyone to help contribute to regional water quality improvement projects.
Wings2Water, initiated by the Eastern Iowa Airport (CID), has a mission to support projects that help reduce Iowa’s runoff and flood impacts, restore local water quality and help eliminate the Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico. The airport has formal agreements in place with both Linn and Johnson County Conservation Boards. At this time, 100 percent of the money raised will go toward two projects designated by each conservation board.
Linn County Conservation Board member Hillary Hughes says grass roots funding of water quality efforts that include the individual to corporate citizen are essential if we are to answer today’s environmental challenges. “I want to thank the CID Airport Commission, as well as CID Director Marty Lenss and his team for the visionary work in bringing this innovative water quality funding program to life. The Linn County Conservation Board looks forward to our future partnership with Wings2Water as we promote a healthy community through a healthy environment.”
The unique water quality projects supported by Wings2Water in Linn County involve major restoration work of important stream and wetland habitats that are key to healthy community drinking water, storm water management and native plant and wildlife management.
The Linn Learning Farm project will be designed with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) practices such as riparian buffers, cover crops and bioreactors. The project will provide a local site to host regional education programs that demonstrate the installation of technical conservation agricultural practices in partnership with the NRCS. The Morgan Creek Wetland project includes an innovative series of wetlands that will capture and clean water from E Avenue, adjacent neighborhoods, and Morgan Creek Park impermeable surfaces. These wetland cells are foundational to the overall park development and will serve area storm water management needs.
There will be several touchpoints throughout the airport terminal to raise awareness about water quality projects and provide ways to donate. Messaging in the terminal will include: Signage throughout the terminal, on the airport’s free wifi system; marketing pieces in seating areas and in the restaurants and gift shop and one of the most noticeable ways – parking meters.
The primary way people will be encouraged to participate is through the website: Wings2Water.org .