Des Moines -- Iowans will have the chance to shape the future of the state's premiere outdoor recreation and conservation funding program - Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) - at 16 public meetings in February and March.
The Resource Enhancement and Protection Program, has a 17-year, $180 million funding history for Iowa's parks, water quality, habitat improvements, roadside prairies, historical development and conservation education. In recent years, state gaming revenues have funded REAP at $11.5 million per year, according to Jeff Vonk, DNR director.
"Any Iowan who has even the slightest interest in natural resources and outdoor recreation should consider attending one of these REAP meetings," said Vonk. "You will find it highly interesting and well worth your time as you participate to make REAP better and stronger for your local part of the state. REAP works because it is a local program that matches local needs with helpful revenue."
"REAP's investment in Iowa has improved the quality of life through outdoor recreation, diverse landscapes and environmental health," he said. "The investment also yields high economic returns; it is the heart of local conservation."
Coordinator of the REAP program Ross Harrison explained that those attending the REAP assemblies will be able to work together to set future directions and list their favorite local projects. They will also elect delegates to the REAP Congress in Des Moines later in July. That congress will vote on priorities to send to the Governor and Legislature.
All REAP public meetings will run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and there is no need for advance reservations.
For more information, contact: Ross Harrison, DNR at 515-281-5973, or by
e-mail at ross.harrison@dnr.state.ia.us
2006 REAP Assemblies
All meetings are scheduled for 7 - 9 PM
REGION |
CITY |
LOCATION |
DATE |
COUNTIES IN REGION |
| 8 | Maquoketa | Hurstville Interpretive Center | Feb. 2 | Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque, Jackson |
| 10 | Cedar Rapids | Wickiup Outdoor Learning Center | Feb. 7 | Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, Washington |
| 1 | Decorah | Luther College, Olin Bldg. Auditorium | Feb. 9 | Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard, Winneshiek |
| 7 | Cedar Falls | Hartman Reserve Nature Center | Feb. 14 | Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Chickasaw, Grundy |
| 14 | Afton | Three-Mile Lake Lodge | Feb. 16 | Adair, Adams, Clarke, Decatur, Madison, Ringgold, Taylor, Union |
| 11 | Des Moines | Jester Park Lodge | Feb. 21 | Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Marion, Polk, Story, Warren |
| 12 | Carroll | Swan Lake State Park - Conservation Center | Feb. 23 | Audubon, Carroll, Crawford, Greene, Guthrie, Sac |
| 13,17 | Council Bluffs | Bass Pro Shop, Council Bluffs | Feb. 28 | Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Montgomery, Page, Shelby, Mills, Pottawattamie |
| 15 | Ottumwa | Bennett Regional Training Center Indian Hills Community College Room 100 | March 2 | Appanoose, Davis, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lucas, Mahaska, Monroe, Van Buren, Wapello, Wayne |
| 9 | Muscatine | New Learning Center | March 7 | Muscatine, Scott |
| 4 | Sioux City | Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center, Stone State Park | March 9 | Cherokee, Ida, Monona, Plymouth, Woodbury |
| 3 | Everly | Community Center | March 14 | Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Lyon, O'Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Sioux |
| 5 | Fort Dodge | Bob Heuen Shelter, Kennedy Park | March 16 | Calhoun, Hamilton, Humboldt, Pocahontas, Webster, Wright |
| 2 | Mason City | Lime Creek Nature Center | March 23 | Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Franklin, Hancock, Kossuth, Mitchell, Winnebago, Worth |
| 16 | Burlington | Starr's Cave | March 28 | Des Moines, Henry, Lee, Louisa |
| 6 | Marshalltown | Grimes Farm and Conservation Center | March 30 | Hardin, Marshall, Poweshiek, Tama |
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