The document discusses strategies for reducing nutrient levels in the Mississippi River Basin to combat hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. It recommends focusing on key levers like targeting high-impact areas, aligning funding sources, and recruiting champions. Near-term action basins that contribute over half of nutrient loads are identified as priorities. A "fields and floodplains" approach aims to both reduce nutrient sources and create sinks through wetland restoration. Engaging the agricultural supply chain and establishing water funds are highlighted as ways to scale nutrient reduction efforts. The overall goal is a 20% reduction in nutrients by 2025 through collaboration across states and sectors.

1. Mississippi River Basin Nutrient Management
2016 SWCS Annual Mtg | July 25, Louisville, KY
TNC Nutrient Strategy
Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico
Dave De Geus, Working Lands Director, Iowa TNC

2. Mississippi River Basin Nutrient Management
Mississippi River / Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force | April 26, St. Louis, Missouri
• 20% nutrient
reduction by 2025
• Impact at scale
through
collaboration
Project Goals

3. Mississippi River Basin Nutrient Management
Mississippi River / Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force | April 26, St. Louis, Missouri
Key Levers to
Influence
Mississippi River
Nutrients
Align
Funding
Recruit
Champions &
Advisors
Target
Places,
Solutions

4. Mississippi River Basin Nutrient Management
Mississippi River / Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force | April 26, St. Louis, Missouri
About
1/2 of Nutrients
Come from these
25 River Basins
*Per USGS “SPARROW” model data for nutrient loading into the Gulf of Mexico
147,000 tons
We must succeed in
these geographies!

5. Mississippi River Basin Nutrient Management
Mississippi River / Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force | April 26, St. Louis, Missouri
Where TNC Will Focus
IOWA
Iowa,
Des Moines
Skunk
ILLINOIS
Illinois, Rock
INDIANA
Wabash
OHIO
Statewide
LOUISIANA
Atchafalaya
Near‐Term Action Basins

6. Mississippi River Basin Nutrient Management
Mississippi River / Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force | April 26, St. Louis, Missouri
Near-Term
Action Basins
Near-Term
Action Basins
MULTI‐LCC MISSISSIPPI BASIN
GULF HYPOXIA INITIATIVE
Aligned

7. Mississippi River Basin Nutrient Management
Mississippi River / Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force | April 26, St. Louis, Missouri
Aligned
Near-Term
Action Basins
Near-Term
Action Basins

8. Mississippi River Basin Nutrient Management
Mississippi River / Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force | April 26, St. Louis, Missouri
Where nutrients originate Where nutrients accumulate
8
“Fields & Floodplains” Approach
Create SinksReduce Sources

9. Mississippi River Basin Nutrient Management
Mississippi River / Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force | April 26, St. Louis, Missouri
System Scale
• Science & Targeting
• Reallocate Existing Funds (e.g., Farm Bill)
• Collaboration within TNC
Multi‐state Scale
• Supply Chain ‐ Private Sector
• State & Local Funding ‐ Water Fund, City, etc.
• Federal Allocation of Farm Bill
• Large‐scale floodplain reconnection/restoration
Strategies

10. Mississippi River Basin Nutrient Management
Mississippi River / Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force | April 26, St. Louis, Missouri
Growers &
Grower
Organizations
Processors
Food
Companies
Retailers
Input
Companies
Engage
Supply Chain
Leaders to Advance
Nutrient Reduction
Solutions
Key Actions Now
• Field to Market’s
Fieldprint® Calculator
• Soil Health Partnership
• Midwest Row Crop Collaborative
• 4R Nutrient Stewardship
Certification Program
• Partnering with agriculture
industry leaders

11. Mississippi River Basin Nutrient Management
Mississippi River / Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force | April 26, St. Louis, Missouri
Water Funds
Ohio Water Trust: A Model for Sustainable Nutrient Reduction
Key Outcomes
• Promote 4Rs of nutrient
stewardship
• Restore and protect
wetlands
• Reduce water treatment costs

12. Mississippi River Basin Nutrient Management
Mississippi River / Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force | April 26, St. Louis, Missouri
#RAISETHEGRADE!

13. Mississippi River Basin Nutrient Management
Mississippi River / Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force | April 26, St. Louis, Missouri
We’re Raising the Grade
www.americaswatershed.org/reportcard
• Advocating for $1 billion annually in new
public and private investment in Watershed
• Encouraging greater collaboration and
improved information to better manage an
increasingly complex system for multiple
benefits.
• Recognizing and supporting local leaders
who develop and implement solutions and
inviting their continuing participation as
partners

14. Mississippi River Basin Nutrient Management
Mississippi River / Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force | April 26, St. Louis, Missouri
• Focus on Levers: Improve Targeting,
Align Funding, Recruit Champions
• Focus action in Near‐Term Basins
• Use “Fields & Floodplains”
approach
• Scale with Water Funds and Supply
Chains
Summary
Next Steps

15. Mississippi River Basin Nutrient Management
Mississippi River / Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force | April 26, St. Louis, Missouri
Closing slideTogether,
we can ensure the
Mississippi River
Basin flourishes for
generations to come.
Questions & Discussion