Water Warrior

Highlighting impactful water quality conservationists in Iowa

Wings2Water’s Water Warrior highlights an impactful person or organization making a difference in local water quality. This can include farming practices, conservation initiatives, or individuals making a difference in water quality education.

Do you know a Water Warrior? Nominate a Water Warrior to be highlighted in an extensive campaign. Please contact info@wings2water.org for more information or to submit your nomination.

Our Latest Water Warrior

Jim O'Connell

Jim O’Connell’s conservation journey began on his family’s multigenerational farm outside Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he has spent more than three decades growing food-grade waxy corn, soybeans, and hay and managing a small cow herd. Building on practices his father began in the late 1970s, Jim has continuously expanded his commitment to protecting those downstream of his farm. He has implemented cover crops to improve soil health and filtration, maintains a wetland to naturally filter and slow water, installed bioreactors and riparian buffers, and adopted no-till farming to minimize erosion and nutrient loss. These efforts not only safeguard local waterways, but also strengthen his operation—Jim credits improved yields directly to cover crops and long-term soil stewardship.

Previous Water Warriors

Iowa Project AWARE

As Iowa’s largest river cleanup, Iowa Project AWARE pairs hands-on action with lasting impact. Volunteers don’t just remove trash—they learn about the history, ecology, and culture of our waterways, building appreciation and stewardship across the state.

The results speak for themselves: 6,700+ volunteers, 1 million pounds of trash removed, around 90% recycled, and at least 50 new cleanups inspired. Project AWARE proves that a single event can spark a movement of conservation and community.

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Izaak Walton League - Nitrate Watch

They’re tackling one of the most serious—and solvable—threats to water quality: nitrate pollution. By equipping volunteers with free simple test kits and empowering them to monitor, report, and advocate for cleaner water, Nitrate Watch is building a grassroots network of everyday citizens who are making a real impact. Their efforts help protect both our health and our ecosystems from the harmful effects of excess nitrate in our waterways.

Take the Nitrate Watch Pledge and they will send you a FREE kit containing everything you need to measure nitrate in your drinking water or local waterways.

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Karen Wilke

Karen is the Associate Director of Freshwater at The Nature Conservancy in Iowa and is making a lasting impact by restoring oxbow wetlands to improve water quality, reduce flooding, and support wildlife. Her work focuses on revitalizing these former river bends by removing sediment and reconnecting them to waterways, allowing them to naturally filter pollutants and store excess water. This restoration benefits both people and the environment by providing cleaner water, reducing flood risks, and creating critical habitats for fish and wildlife. Karen’s dedication to conservation proves that sustainable solutions can work alongside agriculture to build a healthier future for Iowa’s water.

View Oxbow Restoration Toolkit.

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Voss Farm

Established in 1867, this family farm has been a leader in sustainable agriculture for generations. Through techniques such as buffer strips, contouring, and saturated buffers, Voss Farms ensures that water quality remains at the forefront of their farming operations. By sharing their results with fellow farmers, Dan and Brian are not only leading by example but also inspiring change in the agricultural community. Their commitment to protecting Iowa’s water resources perfectly aligns with the mission of Water Warrior, making Voss Farms an ideal recipient of this recognition.

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