NEW "WATER WARRIOR" AWARD TO RECOGNIZE WATER QUALITY DIFFERENCE-MAKERS
Media Release
October 30, 2024
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Julie Kraft
319.573.2010
j.kraft@wings2water.org
Tara Wachendorf
VP/Public Relations Director
GreenState Credit Union
tarawachendorf@greenstate.org
NEW "WATER WARRIOR" AWARD TO RECOGNIZE WATER QUALITY DIFFERENCE-MAKERS
Wings2Water and GreenState Credit Union spotlighting those leading the way for water quality
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Wings2Water, an environmental nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring water quality in the Mississippi River watershed, and GreenState Credit Union, known for promoting good deeds and practices in its communities, are launching a first-of-its-kind award called “Water Warrior.” This unique program recognizes people and organizations actively making a difference in improving water quality in Iowa and beyond.
“We hope to shine a positive light on those leading the way with proven water quality improvement practices so that others might be inspired to do the same,” said Tara Wachendorf, VP/Public Relations Director of GreenState Credit Union. “We want the Water Warriors recognition to become a highly- coveted award and inspire others to follow the lead of people and organizations making a difference in water quality.”
“There’s really no arguing that water quality is an issue,” said Marty Lenss, Wings2Water board president. “What we’re doing with Water Warriors is highlighting solutions in a positive way and encouraging others to follow the lead of our warriors to improve water quality in our state and the Mississippi River watershed.”
Water Warrior recipients will be honored by Wings2Water and GreenState with special signage at the Eastern Iowa Airport, as well as recognition on websites, in videos, and in publications. Wings2Water will offer information online about what each Water Warrior is doing to improve water quality so others can learn and duplicate their actions. The website will also have a feature where the public can submit nominees for the quarterly award.
Passengers at the Eastern Iowa Airport will have an opportunity to learn about the Water Warrior recipients when they log in to use free Wi-Fi at the airport and see a video with the honoree(s).
The first Water Warrior honoree is Voss Farm, a Cedar Rapids sixth-generation farm, leading the way in farming practices that help protect water quality and improve the topsoil’s organic matter, which ultimately increases the soil’s rainwater holding capacity. These practices lead to less runoff and reduce water pollution.
“We’re concerned about conservation, not just what we do, but for the state of Iowa,” said Dan Voss of Voss Farm. “If we all work together, we can make progress. (Conservation) is not just an issue for my farm or my neighbor’s farm, it’s a societal issue. Everybody should be concerned about saving soil....and water quality. (We all) need clean water.”
“We’re so pleased to recognize Voss Farm for all their work in the area of water quality,” said Wachendorf. “GreenState has a goal to invest $5 million in conservational causes over the next decade. We hope that by recognizing those making a difference in water quality, others will follow suit and duplicate their transformational efforts.”
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Wings2Water’s mission is to REDUCE pollution runoff and flood impacts,
RESTORE water quality in the Mississippi River watershed,
and ELIMINATE the Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico.
Dan and Brian Voss talk about water quality practices on their farm: https://youtu.be/HQzUQrOruss
More on what they’re doing for conservation and water quality at Voss Farms: https://www.wings2water.org/water-warrior/
Water Warriors nominations taken here: https://www.wings2water.org/water-warrior/