Raising Soil Health Awareness Along a Neighborhood Creek Iowa Water Conference 2017 Becky Soglin, Carol Sweeting, Julie Tallman Master River Stewards Program
Partnerships in Action Iowa Rivers Revival and Master River Steward Program Iowa Department of Natural Resources Johnson County Soil and Water Conservation District/National Resources Conservation Service Iowa Stormwater Education Partnership Environmental Advocates The City of Iowa City Residents along Grant and Rundell Streets
Project Goal Evaluate soil health within the study area: Stormwater runoff or capture/infiltration Lawn practices Feasibility of neighborhood-based stormwater management
Methodology: Part 1 Met with Johnson Co SWCD; Defined our study area; Developed outreach materials and mailed them; Canvassed the neighborhood to collect surveys and consent forms;
Methodology: Part 2 In-person visit (one Saturday) Returned (another Saturday) for soil samples and sent them to Ames Mailed soil sample results to participants Soil health tips; not at expense of water quality
Project site is in one of Iowa City s older neighborhoods, Longfellow. Source: Iowa Flood Center / Google Maps, 2014: http://ifis.iowafloodcenter.org/ifis/main/?c=iowa_city_%28ralston_creek%29, Accessed December 13, 2014.
Using a soil probe, we took ten 3 samples per site, mixed them together in a bucket and prepared them for testing by ISU Extension. Soil Sampling
Ralston Creek
Findings Overview 1. Homeowners are interested in the topic of soil health and how it relates to creek health. 2. There are trends in soil conditions in our study area. 3. There are few stormwater capture methods in use and great interest in learning about methods of stormwater capture. 4. There are opportunities for improving vegetation around the creek.
Findings Overview 1. Homeowners are interested in the topic of soil health and how it relates to creek health. 59% response rate. 19 of 32 households. Of the 19 respondents, 12 wanted soil test (38%) 18 of 19 respondents requested more info on urban water management practices and funding
Findings Overview 2. Trends in soil conditions in our study area: Organic matter average 5.2% (12 samples) Two samples: nitrogen need Two samples: phosphorus needs Ph between 6.4 and 6.8 (eight samples) Eight samples: potash/potassium need
Findings Overview 3. Few stormwater capture methods; great interest in learning about methods of stormwater capture. Permeable pavement: half households (small amts) Assessed for rains gardens, rain barrels, cisterns, French drains; aeration Only two households bagged grass clippings All received Iowa Stormwater Education Partnership packet
SURVEY QUESTION YES NO 1. Do you water your lawn? 1 18 2. Do you use a lawn care service? 0 19 3. Do you or your lawn service aerate your lawn? 1 18 4. Do you or your lawn service bag the lawn clippings while 2 17 mowing? 5. Do you or your lawn service fertilize or add supplements your 1 18 lawn? 6. Do you ever see earthworms in your yard or driveway after 9 9 rains? 7. Do you use a rain barrel? 0 19 8. Do you have a rain garden? 2 17 9. Do you have any pervious pavement on your property? 9 9 10. Do you have a cistern on your property? 2 17 11. Do you have French drains on your property? 1 18 12. If you have a pet that uses the lawn, how do you manage the waste your pet leaves on the lawn? 6* 13 (no pets) 13. Are you interested in the free soil test? 14* 5 14. Would you generally like to know more about urban water 18 1 management practices and possible sources of funding? 15. Do you have concerns or problems with your lawn that you 9* 10
Findings Overview 4. Opportunities for improving vegetation around the creek. Recent project completed by City.
Project Replicability and Limitations Small, pilot-type study; Approximately 160 person hours (3 team members); $294 for soil tests, printing, mailing, and mileage; Did not include a follow-up to assess changes in attitudes or practices.
Timeliness and Coordination
QUESTIONS? clean free-flowing rivers teeming with life, surrounded by diverse landscapes, and connecting vibrant communities Dickinson County Conservation April/May 2017 Story County Conservation and Prairie Rivers of Iowa May-June 2017 Johnson County Conservation May-June 2017 Buchanan County Summer 2017 Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium Summer 2017 Whiterock Conservancy Summer 2017