The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has been working in Iowa since 1963 to restore wetlands, improve agricultural management, protect key remaining habitats, and build public and private partnerships to deliver critical outcomes for people and nature. We recognize the critical role that agriculture must play in addressing current water quality, flooding, and biodiversity challenges and envision a future where regenerative agriculture practices are the norm. TNC is working in the Boone River, Des Moines River, and Cedar River Watersheds to improve water quality and wildlife habitat, while reducing flood risk. These watersheds suffer from poor water quality, a severe loss of habitat, and an extremely altered hydrology. Rising nitrate levels and the increasing threat of flooding present challenges that municipalities, county and state stakeholders are working to address. Achieving water quality, wildlife habitat, and flood reduction improvements at the scale needed will require strategic implementation of agricultural best management practices coupled with edge of field practices. Oxbow wetland restorations are an important edge of field practice that can help achieve conservation goals for the Mississippi River Basin. Oxbows are old river meanders that get cut off from the main river. Over time, many oxbows fill in with excess sediment and cease to provide benefits to wildlife, water quality, and floodwater storage. Restoration returns the wetland benefits that only healthy and functional oxbows can provide. In the last 5 years, we have worked with farmers to restore over 70 oxbows and wetlands in our priority watersheds, including 4 projects supported by Coca-Cola. The benefits of restored oxbows have been extensively evaluated. Our research shows that restoring degraded oxbows is critically important for providing wildlife habitat to 57 species of fish, including the federally endangered Topeka shiner minnow. Topeka shiners suffer from a loss of habitat. Streams have been straightened, wetlands drained, and oxbows filled in with excess sediment. Eroded and incised streams are now disconnected from their floodplains, preventing Topeka shiners from accessing critical habitat. Over 50% of our restorations in the Boone River Watershed are supporting Topeka shiners, and in 2020 we rediscovered Topeka shiner in a sub-watershed after a 36-year absence. Restored oxbows also provide valuable high-quality habitat to 54 species of birds, and countless frogs, river otters, beavers, and more. These restorations preserve critical habitat to help many species adapt to a changing climate. Restored oxbows are a promising edge-of-field practice for improving water quality, and on average can remove 42% of the nitrate captured from subsurface tiles. Tile outlets from farm fields are re-directed into oxbows when possible to ensure maximum water quality benefits. Upstream, upland, and adjacent farm conservation practices are promoted to increase the longevity of restorations. Who is TNC and TNCÕs Principles of Corporate Engagement The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at unprecedented scale, and helping make cities more sustainable with ambitious 2030 goals. Working in more than 72 countries, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org. For more information on TNCÕs 2030 Goals, go here: https://tnc.box.com/s/bcuyuinrtbdbesovxy5fr51h22amr3tc TNCÕs Principles of Corporate Engagement All of TNCÕs corporate engagements must have conservation benefits with lasting, measurable outcomes, and a direct connection to our mission. Please review our Principles of Corporate Engagement, which all engagements must meet: https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/who-we-are/how-we-work/working-with-companies/corporate-principles/