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Nishnabotna Water Defenders

Join our Mission
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MILES PROTECTED
 

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FRIENDS OF THE NISHNABOTNA WATERSHED

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COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS

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NITRATE

SURVEYORS

Working together as citizens to protect, defend, and restore the Nishnabotna watershed and our state’s waters. 

The Nishnabotna Water Defenders are dedicated to defending the health and sustainability of our watershed through education, advocacy, and community action. 

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Who We Are

The Nishnabotna Water Defenders are a group in Southwest Iowa concerned about keeping our water clean.

About Us
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Get Involved

Join our community of dedicated volunteers and advocates working to make a difference in our watershed.

Join Us
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Support Our Work

Your donations help fund critical conservation projects and educational programs throughout our watershed.

Donate

Protect Water
Prevent Cancer

Our partners at the Iowa Environmental Council have created a series of training sessions that are useful tools to help us.  As you know, election season is off and running and one of the most impactful things we can do is to let these candidates know how important these issues are to us by showing up to their events and town halls to find out what they propose to do to clean up our Waters. We want to help support you.

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Water Defenders in the News

Latest News

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Citizen Scientists Making a Difference

October 27, 2026

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Citizen Scientists Making a Difference

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Amid Iowa's Water Crisis, Factory Farms Get a Pass on Environmental Permitting

October 25, 2026

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In 2018, thawing manure ran off of neighboring fields where it had been spread, polluting the stream on Gordon Garrison’s property in Estherville, Iowa.

Read More

Local, Statewide, Watch

Iowa built an Agricultural Powerhouse. What did it cost?

September 28, 2026

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FB Video Reel: Iowa built an Agricultural Powerhouse. What did it cost?

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Read More
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Show your support for the Nishnabotna Water Defenders by purchasing some merch! We offer multiple colors of the Refish the Nish shirts. ill out a form on our projects page to buy a shirt today!

Buy a Shirt

Nishnabotna Water Defender Shirts

Upcoming Events

  • SW Iowa Local Foods Summit
    SW Iowa Local Foods Summit
    10 days to the event
    SW Iowa Local Foods Summit
    Nov 06, 2026, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM CST
    Mills County Historical Museum, 20 Lake Dr, Glenwood, IA 51534, USA
  • 22 days to the event
    Iowa Nature Summit 2026
    Nov 18, 2026, 8:00 AM CST – Nov 19, 2026, 2:00 PM CST
    Drake University, 2507 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311, USA
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Volunteer Opportunities

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Nitrate Surveyor

Help monitor water quality by collecting simple nitrate readings that support river health and conservation efforts.

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Outdoor Field Event

Join hands-on restoration projects, cleanups, and community events that make a direct impact on the Nishnabotna River.

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Network Table

Represent our mission at local events by engaging with the community, sharing resources, and recruiting new supporters.

Our Partners

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