ICC's Objectives

Our Work

We collaborate with education, business, agriculture, NGOs, local/state/federal agencies, and landowners to attain the necessary resources and policies to protect and restore the ecosystems that sustain Iowa’s coldwater rivers and streams while expanding public access to these vital and unique natural resources.

Build an Alliance

Build a diverse alliance of stakeholders interested in improving Iowa’s Coldwater rivers and streams.

Educate

Educate businesses and individuals as to the value and importance Coldwater rivers and streams.

Influence policy

Influence state/local/federal governments to gain resources for favorable environmental policy.

Stream & Watershed Improvement

Stream & Watershed Improvement

Create, implement & manage sustainable coldwater river and stream improvement projects.

Raise Funds

Raise funds to improve the natural eco-systems along our Coldwater rivers and streams.

Expand Permanent Access

Expand Permanent Access

Expand more permanent access to private lands for recreational use.

Our Origin Story

About Us

Our Vision

Iowa’s Coldwater rivers and streams will be complete, healthy eco-systems that improve our natural environment and enhance the lives of everyone who has the opportunity to experience these examples of our natural heritage.

Why ICC was created?

Iowa’s Coldwater Conservancy organized in 2017 to protect and restore the ecosystems that sustain Iowa’s coldwater rivers and streams while expanding public access to these vital and unique natural resources.

ICC formed with the recognition that:

  • We could not continue to address the significant challenges to the ecosystems of our coldwater rivers and streams as stand-alone, volunteer-driven nonprofit organizations.
  • We could not continue to try to protect and restore watersheds and riparian zones of the unique rivers and streams in the “Driftless Area” of northeast Iowa by using the same practices which were used many years ago. We had to work with alliances of like-minded partners to raise the necessary resources to address these significant challenges.

Today’s Challenges

  • Climate change (more severe weather, flooding, rising water temps, plant and species extinction).
  • Antiquated and/or industrial agricultural practices.
  • Hostile political climate towards environmental policy initiatives.
  • Shrinking state & federal conservation budgets.
  • Challenges to public lands.
  • Changing demographics (more diverse demand).
  • Increased competition for philanthropic dollars.
  • Rising cost of environmental restoration.
Policy, Projects, and Permanent Access

Latest News

Protect and Restore

Bloody Run Creek in Clayton County

Bloody Run Creek has been recognized as one of Iowa’s Outstanding Waters for its rugged beauty, abundant natural resources, and well established population of wild brown trout.  In 2019, a 165 acre parcel …

Protect and Restore

Ten Mile Creek Project

In 2019, a private land owner agreed to sell a multi-parcel addition to Falcon Springs Wildlife Management Area located between Bluffton and Decorah.  A thirty-two acre parcel included a section of …

Read Our News Archive

Our Partners

Iowa’s Coldwater Conservancy is an alliance of partners protecting and restoring the ecosystems that sustain Iowa’s coldwater rivers and streams while expanding public access to these vital and unique natural resources.

Hawkeye Fly Fishing Association
Iowa Driftless, Mid-Missouri, North Bear, & Spring Creek
Trout Unlimited Chapters
Upper Iowa Audubon Society
Winneshiek County Conservation Board
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Fish Habitat Program
Northeast Iowa RC&D
Trees Forever
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
Friends of Decorah Hatchery
Who We Are

Board of Directors

Iowa’s Coldwater Conservancy is a non-profit organization governed by a board of directors.

Every member of ICC makes an impact through multiple operating committees, from strategic planning, fundraising, and projects to marketing, communications, and governance.

Tom Murray

Tom Murray is a founding member and current president of Iowa’s Coldwater Conservancy. In addition to ICC, Tom lives in the Decorah area and also continues to work on conservation projects with the Iowa Driftless Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the Hawkeye Fly Fishing Association, and the Winneshiek County Conservation Board.

Dave Jones

Dave Jones is currently Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Kent Corporation in Muscatine, Iowa. Dave and his wife Alice, have two daughters, two son-in-laws and five grandchildren. Dave’s outdoor endeavors include fly fishing, kayaking and cycling. He served on the Muscatine County Conservation Board for 13 years, two years as board chairman.

Ric Zarwell

Ric has a BS in biology and MS in natural resources, from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. He coordinated two major Cascade Mountain watershed projects in Washington, and organized and wrote grants to fund 4 watershed projects in Iowa including the Clear Lake Enhancement and Restoration (CLEAR) Project which he coordinated. He is retired from USDA-NRCS.

Kate Lodge

Kate Lodge’s outdoor interests have led her to be involved in a number of conservation organizations. As a member and treasurer of the Hawkeye Fly Fishing Association of the Quad Cities, she also became a director of Hawkeye Fly Fishing Association, an affiliate of Fly Fishers International. She also served two years as State President and is currently on the board as Past President. Kate involvement with Spring Creeks Trout Unlimited Chapter 716 includes serving as secretary/treasurer and currently director. Trout Unlimited, State Council, positions include Secretary and Diversity Co-Chair. Kate and Willa Campbell are co-founders of Iowa Women Fly Fishers. Kate is also participates in Wisconsin Women’s Fly Fishers, Dubuque Fly Fishers, Geneseo Izaak Walton League, and Minnesota Women’s Fly Fishers.

Andrew J. Hosmanek

Dr. Andrew J. Hosmanek teaches management, law, and ethics at the University of Iowa. He earned a PhD in Organizational Behavior and an MBA from the Tippie College of Business, University of Iowa. He earned his JD from the University of Iowa College of Law. He is the Managing Attorney of HawkeyeLaw, PLC, an Iowa City-based law firm. Dr. Hosmanek is an avid fly fisherman and conservationist. He manages the popular Trout Fishing in Iowa website and Facebook page, which features videos, aerial photography, maps, and stream reviews of Iowa’s amazing trout fishing destinations.

Liz Siepker

As a high school science instructor in Northeast Iowa, Liz works to educate the next generation of Iowans on the importance of science and biology in their everyday life. Using the “Trout in the Classroom” curriculum is just one way that Liz helps students understand science by relating it to natural resources.
Liz grew up along Lake Erie in Pennsylvania and has degrees in natural resource conservation from Edinboro and Michigan State Universities and a teaching degree from Missouri State University. As a conservationist herself, Liz is particularly interested in the opportunity to mentor the next generation of conservationists. Since moving to Iowa in 2015, she has taken to exploring many of the natural areas that the Driftless Region has to offer. One of her goals in life is to “make a difference” and Liz looks forward to serving on the ICC Board to help protect coldwater resources in Northeast Iowa.

David Oliver

David Oliver is a retired biology professor from ISU, a resident of Ames, and an enthusiastic fly fisher. Living in Iowa he finds the clear waters and forested hills of the Driftless region a rare prize to be preserved and protected. The ICC brings together individuals dedicated to meeting those goals.

David Klemme

David is a life long Iowan growing up on a farm in the central part of the state. Now living in Ankeny, he spends his free time with his wife and dogs fishing, kayaking and hiking. Our natural resources need to be protected for our generation and generations to come and David’s mission is to help promote and advance this effort.

Tim Wagner

Tim Wagner grew up on an Iowa farm. He spent 23 years in Utah working on a range of environmental issues, including public lands and air and water quality, before moving to the Decorah area in 2016 with his wife, Shawna. He currently serves as agriculture outreach coordinator for the Izaak Walton League. His many loves of the outdoors include biking, kayaking, hiking and fishing.

Ryan Maas

Why Support Iowa's Coldwater Conservancy?

Access to clean water is one of the most basic human rights.

We depend on healthy water to sustain us and provide recreational opportunities that enrich our lives.

Healthy water depends on complete ecosystems.

Make an Impact

Support ICC

If you’d like to partner with us financially, please visit this page or use the form below to donate online using your bank account or credit card. Iowa’s Coldwater Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

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