By: Matt Scher, matts@977thebolt.com
Des Moines, IA — A Humboldt County conservation project is among the first round of urban water quality initiatives receiving state funding in 2026, according to an announcement Monday from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced more than $1.24 million in state investments for four projects across Iowa aimed at improving water quality, reducing nutrient runoff, and expanding conservation efforts in urban areas.
Locally, the Humboldt County Soil and Water Conservation District will receive $5,000 for its “Buzz & Bloom” initiative. The project will help residents establish native pollinator habitats designed to provide both environmental and water quality benefits.
According to the state, the deep-rooted native plants used in the project can help reduce erosion and keep nutrients and sediment out of local waterways, while also improving habitat for pollinators throughout the community.
Naig said improving Iowa’s water quality requires continued investment in both rural and urban conservation projects.
“Everyone has a role to play in conservation, and these locally led efforts are making a real difference,” Naig said in a statement. “Improving water quality in Iowa is nonnegotiable and it is a shared responsibility for all of us.”
The first round of projects also includes wetland restoration in Belle Plaine, a stormwater pond and fishing area in Hiawatha, and a prairie stormwater pond project at Dordt University in Sioux Center.
State officials said the $1.24 million investment will leverage more than $2.1 million in additional local funding. Since 2015, the department has invested more than $18 million in urban conservation projects statewide.
Additional urban water quality projects are expected to be announced later this year as more agreements are finalized.