RELEASE: Wild Prairie Showdown Award Nominations Open
DES MOINES, IA (July 21, 2025) – The Great Outdoors Foundation and ICON Water Trails are pleased to announce that the annual Wild Prairie Showdown awards are open for nominations. These honors celebrate exceptional contributions to conservation and recreation from community members involved with the Great Outdoors Foundation and ICON Water Trails, aligning with the organizations’ values and priorities.
The Creative Conservationist Award recognizes an individual or organization that has gone a step above to champion the Great Outdoors Foundation and exemplifies its values — innovation, collaboration, and stewardship.
The Waveshaper Award honors an individual or organization that has gone to extraordinary lengths to support ICON Water Trails and its priority objectives — on-water safety, environmental conservation, economic development, workforce & tourism attraction, and increased access to outdoor recreation.
Third party nominations will be accepted for consideration through August 22, 2025. Selected honorees will be formally recognized at the upcoming Wild Prairie Showdown on October 16, 2025. To submit a nomination, click here.
The Wild Prairie Showdown is a collaborative, high-energy event that raises support and awareness for conservation and recreation initiatives across the region. This is the fifth year of the event, and the third time the Great Outdoors Foundation and ICON Water Trails have partnered together on the event. To learn more, visit our events page.
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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. Learn more at ICONwatertrails.com.
