AMES, Iowa – Iowa’s new water quality measurement coordinator, Elizabeth Schwab, is looking forward to combining her expertise in water quality and management of big data sets to support the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.
Schwab is coordinating the ongoing effort to make data representing the status of the Nutrient Reduction Strategy available online in accurate and engaging ways. She started the position in January.
“I am very excited about this opportunity to serve Iowans and water quality,” Schwab said. “I really enjoy working with different types of data sets to use them in ways that make sense and are as transparent as possible. I look forward to finding opportunities to highlight the INRS dashboards, possibly to make them easier to visualize and to provide training for those who want to use the data. I also think there may be areas where we can take advantage of new opportunities for automation to streamline reporting and data management.”
The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy measurement project was established in 2015 to track and report nutrient reduction efforts in Iowa. To facilitate public access to data, a web-based dashboard provides regular updates showing the status of four types of measurable indicators – inputs, human, land and water.
Originally from Pennsylvania, Schwab holds bachelor’s degrees from Iowa State University in agronomy and environmental science and a master’s degree from The Ohio State University in environmental science. She worked there as a research and teaching assistant before returning to Iowa State to work in the lab of Tom Isenhart, a water quality scientist in the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management. Her background includes research on agricultural water management and drainage and the sociology of conservation adoption.
“Elizabeth Schwab brings valuable water quality-related knowledge and experience with big data sets to this position,” said Matt Helmers, professor and agricultural engineering specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, and director of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center. “I am excited to work with her as the INRS virtual dashboards continue to be developed and refined.”
The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy is a science and technology-based approach to assess and reduce nutrients delivered to Iowa waterways and the Gulf. Iowa’s strategy outlines opportunities to reduce nutrients in surface water from both point sources, such as municipal wastewater treatment plants and industrial facilities, and nonpoint sources, including agricultural operations and urban areas, in a scientific, reasonable and cost-effective manner. Iowa’s strategy is a collaboration of the Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.
Contacts:
Elizabeth Schwab, Iowa State University, 515-294-8427, erschwab@iastate.edu
Matthew Helmers, Iowa Nutrient Research Center, 515-294-6717, mhelmers@iastate.edu