RELEASE: Great Outdoors Foundation Announces 2026 Creative Conservationist Awardees
The Great Outdoors Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Creative Conservationist Awards, recognizing individuals and organizations that are driving meaningful conservation outcomes through innovative thinking, strong partnerships, and dedicated stewardship. The honorees will be recognized alongside the competitors of Convergence: The Conservation Ag Accelerator at Athene Watershed26’s award luncheon on July 1.
This year’s award winners are Rebekah Jones, Communications Director for the Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance (IAWA), recipient of the Individual Creative Conservationist Award, and the Heartland Co-op Conservation Agronomy Team, recipient of the Group Creative Conservationist Award.
“The Creative Conservationist Awards celebrate leaders who are finding new ways to connect people, resources, and ideas to create lasting conservation impact,” Hannah Inman, Great Outdoors Foundation CEO, said. “This year’s recipients exemplify what is possible when innovation is paired with collaboration and a deep commitment to stewardship.”
As Communications Director for IAWA, Jones has transformed conservation communications in Iowa by developing innovative tools and strategies that help farmers better understand and access conservation opportunities. Her work includes nationally recognized digital tools such as IAWA’s website and cost-share comparison resources, which simplify the process of identifying conservation funding opportunities for farmers. Through strong partnerships and a commitment to excellence, she has helped strengthen collaboration among farmers, conservation professionals, and partner organizations while maximizing the impact of conservation investments.
Since launching its Conservation Agronomy Department in 2020, the Heartland Co-op Conservation Agronomy Team has emerged as a statewide leader in conservation implementation and partnership-driven programming. The team’s accomplishments include helping facilitate approximately 400,000 acres of cover crops, supporting more than 2,000 acres of no-till and strip-till practices, and advancing numerous edge-of-field conservation practices, including saturated buffers, bioreactors, wetlands, and streamside buffer strips. Their work has helped improve water quality, strengthen soil health, and expand voluntary conservation adoption across Iowa agricultural landscapes. Beyond project implementation, the Conservation Agronomy Team has built strong partnerships with farmers, lenders, nonprofit organizations, watershed groups, counties, utilities, and conservation agencies to accelerate conservation adoption and deliver practical solutions at scale.
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About the 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 few years, we have invested more than $250 million in conservation and outdoor recreation initiatives, and we’re just getting started.
