REAP Assembly
REAP builds communities – how do you want to build yours?
Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) assemblies are locally led meetings where Iowans discuss what they’d like to see for Iowa’s outdoor recreation, soil and water enhancement, historical resources, land management and more. REAP assemblies occur every 2 years and are an opportunity for you to share directly with state and local representatives your thoughts on REAP, its policies and procedures, and the projects it funds.
The Region 1 REAP Assembly (for Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard, and Winneshiek counties) will be held Thursday, October 26th from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Iowa Dairy Center south of Calmar. Come share your experiences and hopes for Winneshiek County and how REAP can be a part of it. We hope to see you there!
Local REAP Facts:
- Winneshiek County has received over $8.7 million in REAP funds.
- Natural Resources: Winneshiek County is home to some incredible natural resources, and REAP helps us all protect and enjoy them. If you’ve ever visited the Decorah Fish Hatchery; marveled at the Chimney Rocks as you paddle the Upper Iowa River; or fished, hunted, or explored some of our local Wildlife Management Areas, you have benefited from REAP.
- Cultural Resources: REAP helps protect cultural and historical resources, and those funds are available to both private and public organizations. In Winneshiek County, REAP Historic Resource Funds have funded projects at Locust School, the County Courthouse, Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, Luther College, Porter House Museum, and Fort Atkinson Historic Preserve.
- Environmental Education: Winneshiek County Conservation has used REAP funding to purchase environmental education equipment through the Fit Environment program including supplies for geocaching, kayaking, and archery.
- Outdoor Recreation: REAP has been instrumental in the development of paved recreational trails in Winneshiek County and across Northeast Iowa. The Trout Run Trail, Freeport Trail, and Prairie Farmer Recreational Trail were all funded in part by REAP. These trails are great examples of how REAP projects can have long-lasting economic and quality-of-life benefits.
Statewide REAP Facts:
- Necessary Funding: REAP grants can provide funding for local projects, benefitting Iowa cities, county and state parks, water quality, habitat improvements, roadside prairies, historical development and conservation education. Since its debut in 1989, nearly $389 million in REAP funds have been awarded. These dollars have enormous community impact, and annual requests for these grants exceeds the available amount by two to three times.
- Public Participation: REAP is special to Iowa — Iowa’s REAP program is unlike other similar efforts throughout the country in that it provides many opportunities for people to get involved. Whether that includes becoming a member of your County REAP Committee or just chatting with friends and neighbors about the importance of REAP, there are places in REAP’s public participation elements for you to make a difference.