RELEASE: Local Competitors Launch Annual Wild Prairie Showdown Campaign

DES MOINES, IA (Aug. 21, 2025) – The Great Outdoors Foundation and ICON Water Trails are pleased to announce the launch of the fifth annual Wild Prairie Showdown, a peer-to-peer campaign advancing conservation and recreation in the region. The Wild Prairie Showdown is a vibrant grassroots event that will conclude with a pseudo-pageant in which two local participants, and their teams, compete to be named MVP — Most Valuable Philanthropist.

Over the next eight weeks, two passionate individuals will leverage their outdoor knowledge to raise awareness, support, and capital for the Great Outdoors Foundation and ICON Water Trails. Both competitors will also be supported by three Wild Prairie Showdown competitor alumni. Today, the following competitors and supporting alumni are kicking off their Wild Prairie Showdown campaigns in aid of their respective teams:

• Jon Kallen, Jennings Kallen Advisors, LLC
  • Team Great Outdoors Foundation:
    Cory Sharp (’21 Alumni), FEH Advisors
    Emily Kessinger (’22 Alumni), Paslay Group
    Katherine Harrington (’21 Alumni), West Des Moines Chamber of
    Commerce
• Molly Hanson, RDG Planning & Design
  • Team ICON Water Trails:
    Annie Brandt (’24 Alumni), Bank of America
    Rene Martinez (’24 Alumni), Hubbell Realty Company
    Emily Naylor (’23 Alumni), Bolton & Menk

The participants’ fundraising efforts will conclude at the 2025 Wild Prairie Showdown on Thursday, Oct. 16 at Val Air Ballroom. This unique event will highlight the stars of the Wild Prairie Showdown through fun persona segments, competitor interviews, and interactive voting. To learn more, register for the event, or donate to a competitors’ campaign, visit givebutter.com/wps2025.

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.