4/26/00

Contacts:
C. Phillip Baumel, Economics, 515/294-6263
John Miranowski, Economics, 515/294-6741
Susan Thompson, Agriculture Information, 515/294-0705

ISU MEETINGS SET TO DISCUSS IOWA'S LAND AND ENVIRONMENT

AMES, Iowa -- The challenges facing Iowa are many. One of the greatest is how to preserve and protect Iowa's rich natural resources, while allowing the state's largest industry -- agriculture -- to thrive.

There are other concerns as well. The encroachment of urban populations on rural areas is one. The quality of Iowa's lakes, rivers and streams is another. A third concern is the productive quality of Iowa's land base.

Iowa State University is sponsoring a series of three meetings in June where these and other concerns will be discussed. "A regional meeting format was chosen to allow Iowa citizens the opportunity to thoroughly discuss statewide concerns, while also taking a close look at local issues," says John Miranowski, chair of the ISU economics department.

The western Iowa meeting will be June 13 at the Hitchcock Nature Area Lodge near Honey Creek. The eastern Iowa meeting will be June 15 at the Holiday Inn in Davenport. A meeting in central Iowa will be June 16 at the West Des Moines Marriott.

A $20 registration fee covers the cost of lunch, plus a new publication by ISU economists titled Iowa's Land and Environment -- Serving Competing Needs. A brochure that includes meeting agenda and registration form is available as a PDF (56K).

The publication will include a historical perspective of Iowa land use and conservation, background information on land ownership, valuation and taxation, and results of public surveys on wetlands use and the types of recreational opportunities Iowans desire. The final chapter will provide some insight into a future vision for Iowa's landscape.

Each meeting will begin at 9 a.m. and adjourn at 3:15 p.m. Morning sessions will include presentations on a historical perspective of Iowa land use, survey results, and the current status of Iowa resources, with a focus on land and water quality, urbanization and recreation. There will be time for open discussion before lunch.

Afternoon sessions will focus on possible tradeoffs between economic development and land preservation. Each meeting will feature different afternoon speakers who can talk about issues of local concern.

Registration brochures are available at county extension offices. Send a registration form and a $20 check payable to Iowa State to C. Phillip Baumel, ISU, 460 Heady Hall, Ames, IA 50011. Or call 515/294-7318 for details or to request a brochure.

Project sponsors are the ISU economics department, ISU College of Agriculture, University Extension and the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture.

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