Iowa Soybean Association Named Partner of the Year by The Nature Conservancy In Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa -- January 29, 2007 -- The Nature Conservancy in Iowa recently named Iowa Soybean Association “Partner of the Year” for 2006.

“The philosophy of the Conservancy is to join together with communities, businesses, governments, partner organizations, communities and people to preserve lands and waters for future generations to use and enjoy,” said Leslee Spraggins, state director of The Nature Conservancy in Iowa.

“And since the Conservancy has identified several priority conservation areas in Iowa, we wanted to find an agricultural partner who would work with us to sustain agricultural production and natural ecosystems in healthy, working landscapes,” said Spraggins. “The ISA has been that agricultural partner and we look forward to continued success for the benefit of all Iowans.”

The Conservancy is a science-based conservation organization, working with partners, including farmers, to conserve the most biologically important places in the world.

First, the Conservancy identifies conservation targets through science-based methodology. Then, they establish sound conservation goals and apply performance-based measurement standards in priority conservation areas. By developing and introducing private financial tools and resources to encourage farmers to try alternative practices, the Conservancy helps farmers evaluate costs and benefits of these options for their farm management.

The Conservancy staff is working with the Iowa Soybean Association on ways to reward farmers for environmental preservation and improvement in two watersheds in Iowa, the Boone River in central Iowa and Pike Run Creek near Muscatine.

Ray Gaesser, president of the Iowa Soybean Association, says, “As farmers, we understand that we have a duty and a responsibility to be good stewards of the soil and good stewards of the environment. And I think our partnership with the Conservancy shows that we are acting on those principles. We are pleased that TNC has recognized our efforts with the Partner of the Year award.”

The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working to protect the most ecologically important lands and waters around the world for nature and people. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 15 million acres in the United States and have helped preserve more than 102 million acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.

The Nature Conservancy in Iowa has more than 7,500 members and manages 33 preserves totaling over 6,000 acres. Since the Chapter began in 1963, with the aid of volunteers it has been involved in the protection of nearly 20,000 acres in the state, including native prairies, wetlands and woodland communities.