The Legacy of Iowa DNR Biologist Ron Howing in Wetland Preservation | Iowa Life

Why It Matters

Howing’s pioneering restoration created critical habitat, improved water quality, and provides a replicable model for sustainable land management across the Midwest.

Key Takeaways

• Ron Howing spent 50 years restoring Iowa wetlands.
• He pioneered Conservation Reserve Program to protect erodible farmland.
• Restored hundreds of acres, boosting water quality and wildlife.
• Mentored DNR staff, teaching proper wetland and grassland restoration.
• His legacy influences hunters, families, and future conservation efforts.

Summary

The video honors Ron Howing, a retired Iowa Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologist whose five‑decade career reshaped the state’s wetlands.

Howing began wetland restoration in the early 1980s, leveraging the Conservation Reserve Program to convert marginal, erodible farmland into prairie pothole habitats. He secured public funding to purchase and replant acres with native grasses, restoring hundreds of acres that improve water quality, support migratory birds and revive species such as Canada geese.

Colleagues and family recall his hands‑on teaching, from pointing out plant species to guiding young hunters. He helped launch Iowa’s first captive Canada goose flock in 1964 and instilled a “code of ethics” that wildlife resources must be used sustainably.

His work demonstrates how targeted public‑private partnerships can reverse decades of drainage, offering a template for other states. The restored wetlands now provide ecological services, recreational hunting opportunities, and a lasting educational legacy for future conservationists.

Original Description

Ron Howing, who worked in Iowa conservation for over 50 years, is credited with restoring wetlands across northern Iowa and reestablishing the giant Canada goose back to the state.