Top 10 Paddling Safety Tips

June 24, 2024

Note: This content was originally published on June 30, 2021. To view that post, click here. As a certified canoe and kayak instructor for the Iowa DNR, I have seen it all. People buy their first boat and head to the river before understanding the environment they are about…

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Hello, River: Connecting Conservation & Culture

May 13, 2024

Note: This post was originally published on the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s blog on May 13, 2024.  Since the beginning of time, art has been used to teach and spark conversations about the world around us. Visually representing sometimes complex concepts through illustration, performance or sculpture can…

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One Year Later: Principal Point Groundbreaking

April 26, 2024

On April 27, 2023, ICON Water Trails and its partners broke ground on the future Scott Avenue site, Principal Point. The event was the culmination of a significant milestone in the lifeline of the project and allowed ICON and its stakeholders to celebrate the commencement of its future downtown run.

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Watch: ICON Water Trails Regional Economic Impact Study Unveiling

March 13, 2024

Earlier this year, ICON Water Trails announced the completion of its regional economic impact study, a collection of findings capturing user behavior during a six-month recreational season in 2022. The highlights of the study tell a promising narrative, demonstrating the proven efficacy of ICON Water Trails in regard to economic…

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2023 Year in Review

January 10, 2024

As we close out another year of ICON Water Trails, we are incredibly grateful to you for your continued support. Together, with our partners, volunteers, and donors, we’ve met several tremendous milestones, and we’re just getting started! Take a look below at some of this year’s highlights. ORGANIZATION HIGHLIGHTS Project…

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3 Reasons to Support ICON with Your Year-End Giving

December 18, 2023

As 2023 comes to a close, many individuals and families are considering what organizations to support with their year-end giving. There are hundreds of fantastic causes that you can invest in, and of course, one of those is ICON Water Trails. Whether you’re passionate…

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Downtown Project Update

November 16, 2023

As ICON Water Trails prepares to close out another productive year connecting water, communities, and people, we wanted to provide an update on the much-anticipated downtown portion of the project. Earlier this year, we broke ground on Principal Point at the Scott Avenue dam, marking the official…

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Team ICON Wins the 2023 Wild Prairie Showdown

October 25, 2023

For the first time ever, ICON Water Trails partnered with our friends at the Great Outdoors Foundation for the annual Wild Prairie Showdown. This dynamic fundraising event features four esteemed individuals competing individually — and collectively — in fundraising, fashion show, and interview categories. Team ICON, comprised of…

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Meet the 2023 Wild Prairie Showdown Competitors

September 8, 2023

Over the next month, these esteemed individuals will be using their outdoor prowess to raise awareness, support, and capital for the Great Outdoors Foundation and ICON Water Trails. The competitors’ fundraising efforts will conclude at the 2023 Wild Prairie Showdown — Presented by Bolton & Menk — on Thursday, October…

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