DRIFTLESS WATER DEFENDERS PRESS RELEASE: HIGHLANDVILLE CLEAN WATER SCHOOL
Date: April 29th, 2025
Contact: Jim Larew (319) 541-4240 or
Email: Admin@driftlesswaterdefenders.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Announcing the Highlandville Clean Water School Event:
The Driftless Water Defenders are presenting a “Clean Water School,” on Saturday, May 17, starting at 9:00 a.m., at the Old School in Highlandville.
The event will include discussions about the about the science of the Driftless Area’s water quality and how to properly test surface waters and wells.
This one-day event is free, but requires advance registration via DWS’s website (www.DriftlessWaterDefenders.com). Experienced environmental educators will engage up to 100 students, teachers and community members with water quality history, interrelated environmental issues, water testing instruction, and the effectiveness of various political and social strategies that address water quality.
Meals will be provided. There will be music and opportunities for trout fishing instruction. Musicians will provide music and the event will close with a folk dance
DWD President Chris Jones describe the event in the following way:
“We are on the cusp of a new social, political and legal movement in Iowa which is aimed to improve Iowa’s water. This event will provide excellent educational and practical information in a fun and engaging environment.”
Throughout the day, students will engage in activities that include both outdoor and indoor learning to increase understanding and stewardship of local ecosystems. Speakers will include:
· Birgitta Meade, member of the adjunct faculty in Environmental Science at Luther College. Prior to that she taught high school science at the North Winn School for many years. She has been concerned about the degraded condition of our waters and has been testing/monitoring water in the Driftless for decades.
· Until his retirement, Chris Jones was a Research Engineer with IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering at the University of Iowa. He holds a PhD in Analytical Chemistry from Montana State University and a BA in chemistry and biology from Simpson College. He is the author of “The Swine Republic,” a book that addresses the magnitude of nitrate water pollution as a result of industrial-level AG animal farming practices. His Substack blogs are read by thousands of subscribers in Iowa and across the nation.
· Jim Larew practices law as a private attorney with a special focus on environmental law. He was the former chief of staff and legal advisor to former Iowa governor Chet Culver. He will address access to clean water as a civil right.
For the afternoon portion of the program, attendees are invited to choose between guided fly fishing, canoeing on the Upper Iowa River, or a bird-watching guided tour along North Bear Creek.
Mid-day and evening meals will be provided. To wrap up the event, all attendees are invited to an evening bonfire and schoolhouse dance by The Footnotes Band.
For those interested in attending, please go to our website to register:
