Iowa’s Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund – securing the promise
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It has been 16 years since Iowans went to the polls and overwhelmingly approved the Iowa Water and Land Legacy (IWILL) Amendment to the Iowa Constitution. The amendment created Iowa's Natural Resource and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund "for the purposes of protecting and enhancing water quality, natural areas (parks, trails and wildlife habitats) and agricultural soils".
This effort was no small undertaking, passing two sessions of the legislature and an overwhelming vote of 63 percent of Iowa voters in 2010. Yet here we are 21 years after Gov. Vilsack and the legislature established Iowa's Interim Committee on Sustainable Funding for Natural Resources to identify solutions to address Iowa's water quality issues, soil loss, outdoor recreation, park infrastructure challenges and general quality of life amenities, and not one cent has been deposited in the trust fund.
The Sustainable Funding Committee was made up of a diverse group of Iowa stakeholders, including commodity groups, conservation organizations, public health officials, sportsmen/women, legislators and environmental supporters. The charge of the committee was simple - explore sustainable funding mechanisms to better address Iowa's natural resource and recreation needs. The committee explored a variety of options but eventually settled on a 3/8 of one cent increase in the state's sales tax. This model has been used successfully in a variety of states, including Minnesota and Missouri for over three decades. The new funding was designed to provide approximately $150 million annually that would flow through existing programs and be accountable and measurable in an annual report. A funding formula was created and agreed upon to distribute the funds into seven categories - Natural Resources, Soil Conservation & Water Protection, Watershed Protection, REAP (Resource Enhancement & Protection), Local Conservation Partnerships, Trails and Lake Restoration. Many Iowans thought that the Trust Fund was funded as part of the 2010 passage, however only the legislature and governor can raise Iowa's sales tax, an action that has not occurred since 2008.
Recent projections estimate Iowans have missed out on over $2.5 billion that should have been invested in water quality, soil conservation, parks, trails and wildlife habitat over the past 16 years. Our inaction has resulted in Iowa's second-in-the-nation cancer incident rate, over half of Iowa's streams and two-thirds of our lakes and reservoirs are listed as impaired, resulting in closed beaches and communities spending millions of dollars to remove nitrates from their drinking water.
While these statistics indicate our present challenges, it's not all gloom and doom for our great state. There are many positives to focus on as we look to 2027 and beyond.
Each year 65 percent of Iowans visit Iowa's lakes and rivers generating $1 billion in spending in local communities
Dallas County is reaping the economic benefits of a nine-mile trail connection to the High Trestle Trail estimated to generate $14.3 million in visitor spending and $1.2 million in tax revenue annually
The Charles City White Water Park is boasting a $1 million economic impact on the town of 7,300.
Outdoor recreation in Iowa generates $8.7 million in consumer spending annually.
In 2026, the Iowa legislature recognized Iowa's water crisis and approved HF2771 the "Farm to Faucet" water quality infrastructure package investing $319 million dedicated to nitrate removal infrastructure and water quality best practices
In 2026, Gov. Reynolds signed Executive Order 19 establishing the Office of Outdoor Recreation recognizing the value of Iowa's outdoor and tourism industry to the state's economy
Both governor candidates have publicly recognized Iowa's Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund and Iowa's growing water crisis on the campaign trail.
We've all heard the saying, "all good things take time". The time is now for the "good things." Now is the time to clean up our rivers and lakes, protect our soils, invest in recreation, build healthy, vibrant communities, create opportunities to improve the health of Iowans, expand our trail network, repair our park infrastructure, provide access to quality outdoor experiences for our children and create an environment that will attract and retain a skilled workforce.
There are good conversations occurring across the state regarding potential funding for Iowa's Natural Resource & Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund. I would encourage you to be a part of the conversation. Contact your legislators and encourage their support in making 2027 the year Iowa invests in our natural resources, recreation, water quality, soil conservation, rural revitalization, economic development, public health, workforce and Iowa's future. The time is now to secure the promise we made in 2010.
Webster County Conservation is preparing a series of educational programs this fall to highlight the many benefits provided by Iowa's Natural Resource and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund. For more information follow the Webster County Conservation Facebook Page or www.webstercountyia.gov
Additional information about sustainable funding for Iowa's natural resources can be found at www.iowaswaterandlandlegacy.org
Matt Cosgrove is the director of Webster County Conservation.