DES MOINES, IA (Oct. 6, 2025) – The Great Outdoors Foundation and ICON Water Trails are pleased to announce the selection of local leaders for their annual awards. These honors, the Creative Conservationist and the Waveshaper, celebrate those in the community making extraordinary efforts for conservation and recreation in the region.

John Swanson, Polk County Water Resources Supervisor, is the recipient of the 2025 Creative Conservationist Award, presented by Bolton & Menk. Swanson is a champion for water quality, most notably leading Polk County’s ‘Batch and Build’ program that brings efficiency, speed, and funding to critical water quality projects. This program has installed 185 practices, treating 6,000 acres of tile drainage to date.

The ICON Water Trails Capital Campaign Co-Chairs, Steve Chapman, Allison Fleming, and Suku Radia; and Honorary Co-Chairs, Jim Cownie, Bill Knapp, Connie Wimer, and Steve Zumbach are the recipients of the 2025 Waveshaper Award. Their individual and collective expertise has propelled ICON from vision to reality, securing more than $33.5 million in private fundraising for the transformative initiative.

Honorees will be formally recognized at the 2025 Wild Prairie Showdown — Presented by United Contractors & Reilly Construction — on Thursday, Oct. 16 at Val Air Ballroom. To learn more about the event, visit givebutter.com/wps2025.

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About Great Outdoors Foundation
The Great Outdoors Foundation exists to advance conservation through innovation, collaboration, and stewardship. We are the foremost fundraising professionals in the conservation and outdoor recreation sector. Together, we activate meaningful, accessible initiatives that enhance our environment and improve quality of life. Over the last three years, we have invested more than $200 million in conservation and outdoor recreation initiatives, and we’re just getting started. Learn more at greatoutdoorsfoundation.org.

About ICON Water Trails
ICON Water Trails is a regionally inclusive recreational confluence connecting culture, conservation, and adventure by empowering our waterways. When complete, ICON will connect 50+ access points across 150 miles of rivers and creeks in Central Iowa. This transformational initiative represents a new commitment to water safety and conservation
as well as a concerted effort to drive economic development, visitor attraction, and workforce retention.