Location
The 2022 Roadside Conference is hosted by Dickinson County in collaboration with the UNI Tallgrass Prairie Center; it will be held at the Arrowwood Conference Center in Okoboji.
Accommodations
We have a block of hotel rooms at the Arrowwood Conference Center. If you would like to reserve a hotel room, the rate is $97/night + tax under "Iowa Roadside Management." The hotel's number is (712) 332-2161. The deadline to get a room in the block at the conference rate is August 7, 2022.
Alternative hotels in the area:
AmericInn by Wyndham, 712-332-9000
Bridges Bay Resort, 712-332-2202
Okoboji Inn and Suites, 712-338-4424
Registration
The deadline to register is August 26, 2022.
Agenda
Wednesday, September 7, 2022
Noon-4:15 p.m.: Choice of golf tournament or fishing tournament
5 p.m.-6 p.m.: Association for Integrated Roadside Management business meeting, Arrowwood Conference Center, Brooks Room
6 p.m.: Dinner on your own
Thursday, September 8, 2022
8-9:15 a.m.: Registration opens / morning refreshments / exhibits
9:15 a.m.: Welcome and introductions
9:30 a.m.: Morning Keynote Speech - The Impact of Over 40 Years of Conservation Work in the Iowa Great Lakes Watershed, Iowa DNR District Fisheries Biologist Mike Hawkins
10:30 a.m.: Break and exhibits
10:45 a.m.: Intro to Roadside Programs - Kristine Nemec, Tara Van Waus, and roadside manager panel
11:30 a.m.: Lunch and exhibits
12:30 p.m.: Board bus for afternoon bus tour (or carpool) to Arnold's Park Amusement Park
1:00 p.m.: Load the Queen II steamboat replica at Arnold's Park
2:15 p.m.: Disembark the Queen and free time in the Park, Maritime Museum, and Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, or go to Kenue Park
3:00 p.m.: Load buses/carpool to Kenue Park
3:15 p.m.: Equipment demonstrations at Kenue Park
5:00 p.m.: Social hour at Arrowwood
6:00 p.m.: Evening banquet and awards ceremony
Friday, September 9, 2022
7:00 a.m.: Breakfast and exhibits
8:00 a.m.: Living Roadway Trust Fund updates, Tara Van Waus, Iowa DOT
8:15 a.m.: Roadside program updates, Kristine Nemec, UNI Tallgrass Prairie Center
8:30 a.m.: Restoring Resources, Changing Lives - Amy Yoakum, Conservation Corps Iowa
9:00 a.m.: Protecting Minnesota Roadside Habitats - Dave Hanson, MnDOT
9:30 a.m.: MnDOT's Prescribed Fire Program - Nathan Johnson, MnDOT
10:00 a.m.: Break and exhibits
10:30 a.m.: Protecting Rusty-Patched Bumblebee and Other Pollinators in Iowa Roadsides, Sarah Nizzi, Xerces Society
11:00 a.m.: Potential for Enhancing Nutrient Reductions in Iowa's Roadside Ditches, Keith Schilling, U. of Iowa
11:30 a.m.: Luncheon and door prizes
Updated: June 1, 2022