EDITOR’S NOTE: This press release has been updated from a version published on June 13, 2021 to include a recording of the webinar.
AMES, Iowa—Results from a 2019 survey about Iowans’ lake-based recreation were shared during the Iowa Learning Farms webinar at noon on Wednesday, June 16.
The 2019 Iowa Lakes Valuation Project, funded by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, is the first statewide survey since 2014 that collects information on how, where, and when Iowans make use of the state’s recreational lakes. Wendong Zhang, assistant professor of economics at Iowa State University, explained how the collected information is used to understand Iowans’ attitudes toward water quality and their willingness to pay for water quality improvements.
“The project allows us to properly analyze and evaluate the return on investment for water quality improvement and lake restoration efforts,” said Zhang. “The estimated household trips associated with Iowans’ 139 lake visits in 2019 is about 8.5 million and the estimated total direct spending is about $44.7 million.”
Zhang’s research seeks to better understand U.S. farmland markets, agricultural water conservation, and Chinese agriculture.
Iowa Learning Farms – June 16, 2021 from ISU CALS ONLINE on Vimeo.
Archived webinars are available at https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/page/webinars.
About Iowa Learning Farms
Established in 2004, Iowa Learning Farms is building a Culture of Conservation by encouraging adoption of conservation practices. Farmers, researchers and ILF team members are working together to identify and implement the best management practices that improve water quality and soil health while remaining profitable. Partners of Iowa Learning Farms include the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources (USEPA section 319) and GROWMARK, Inc.
Contact:
Hilary Pierce Jacqueline Comito
Extension Outreach Specialist ILF Program Director
hepierce@iastate.edu jcomito@iastate.edu
515-294-8912 515-296-0081
— Iowa Learning Farms
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