Measuring progress of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy
The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy measurement project was established in 2015 to track and report nutrient reduction efforts in Iowa. A program logic model was introduced to set measurable indicators of change. The logic model expands on four dimensions: Inputs, Human, Land, and Water.
To affect change in water quality, there is a need for increased inputs, measured as funding, staff, and other resources. Inputs affect change in outreach efforts and human behavior. This shift towards more conservation-oriented attitudes among farmers, landowners, point source facility operators, and other stakeholders is a desired change in the human dimension of water quality efforts. With changes in human attitudes and behavior, changes on the land may occur, measured as conservation practice adoption and wastewater treatment facility upgrades. Finally, these physical changes on the land may affect change in water quality, which ultimately can be measured through both empirical water quality monitoring and modeled estimates of nutrient loads in Iowa surface water. The model outlines measurable parameters that can be tracked year-to-year.
- Inputs: funding, staff, and resources
- Humans: knowledge of, attitudes towards, and engagement with conservation work
- Land: conservation practice adoption, and upgrades to wastewater treatment and industrial facilities
- Water: empirical water quality monitoring and modeled estimates of nutrient loads in Iowa surface water
