Land and Water Fest in Dubuque Celebrates Conservation

My wife and I spend a lot of our free time hiking and exploring. Sometimes that means traveling hundreds of miles to find a new trail, but more often it means heading out the door and discovering something new right here in the Driftless region.

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That is one of the things I enjoy most about living in the Dubuque area. From the Mines of Spain and Deere Dike to White Pine Hollow, Swiss Valley and the many parks, trails, and natural areas scattered throughout the region, there always seems to be another place to explore. The more time we spend outdoors, the more we appreciate just how fortunate we are to have these places so close to home. It also makes me think about what it takes to keep them here.

Credit: Tom Drake | Photo taken at Whitewater Canyon, Dubuque County. — Credit: Tom Drake | **Photo taken at Whitewater Canyon, Dubuque County.**

That is a big part of the reason the third annual Land and Water Fest is being held Sunday, September 20th, at the Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens in Marshall Park. From 1 to 5 PM, the Packard Pavilion will host an afternoon of music, nature storytelling, art, conservation displays, and a presentation from nationally known climate author and activist Bill McKibben.

The event is sponsored by the Dubuque Area Land and Water Legacy, but the real story is what happens with the money raised. Proceeds support the Dubuque Area Land, Water, and Wildlife Habitat Fund at the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque. The fund provides financial support for projects aimed at understanding and protecting the land, water, and wildlife that make this region special.

Credit Dubuque Land and Water Legacy

One current project involves continuous water-quality monitoring on four rivers and streams in Dubuque and Jackson counties. It may not be the most visible kind of conservation work, but it is incredibly important. Having reliable information about the health of our waterways helps identify changes and problems and gives conservation groups and communities the information they need to make informed decisions.

The fund is also supporting a partnership with the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival to create a new Land, Water, and Wildlife Impact Award for Best Environmental Documentary at the 2027 festival. More information about that effort is expected to be announced at Land and Water Fest.

“The Legacy is a driving force to create new public-private partnerships, working together to invest in the natural resources that are the roots of human welfare and quality-of-life. The treasures we have inherited in the Driftless region and from the rivers that run through it are jewels and riches that we want to preserve and bequeath to future generations. The annual Land and Water Fest and the Legacy fund we have established are part of that commitment. This annual celebration is a chance for the community to put money down on nature."
-Chuck Isenhart, Land and Water Legacy Director

Check out my interview with Chuck Isenhart Below:

That is what I like about the fund. The money is not simply going toward an event. It's helping support research, education, conservation, and partnerships that can have a real impact on the natural resources we enjoy. These natural areas can become easy to take for granted for those that are disconnected, or as my kids say, for those that are not "touching grass." When you can walk out your front door and be on a trail in a matter of minutes, it's easy to assume those places will always be there. But keeping waterways healthy, protecting habitat, and preserving our natural areas takes consistent work, cooperation, and funding.

Credit: Chuck Isenhart | Performer Denny Garcia

For people like my wife and I who spend a lot of time on those trails, that work feels personal. It's why we also advocate for people to pack-in and pack-out; a simple but effective way to keep our natural areas clean. We want to see people get outside and experience these places for themselves. Once you stand on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi, find wildflowers along a trail, or spend an afternoon exploring a quiet stretch of woods, protecting those places becomes more than an abstract idea. Land and Water Fest just happens to be a chance to celebrate that connection while helping support the work behind it.

Land and Water Fest Schedule

1 PM Denny Garcia, the Mississippi Man, opens the afternoon with river tunes. Artist and conservation displays will also be available.
1:30 PM Updates from Legacy leaders, Christine Curry and local conservation groups.
2 PM Nature storytelling from the Dubuque Area Writers Guild.
2:15 PM Bill McKibben presents “Our Climate and Clean Energy Future,” discussing climate, clean energy, and the 2026 elections.
3:15 PM Bluegrass Express takes the stage for an afternoon of bluegrass music.
4 PM More nature storytelling.
4:15 PM Bluegrass Express returns for another set.
4:45 PM A final discussion on what the future holds.

Admission is a suggested contribution of $15 per person or $25 per couple, although no one will be turned away. The first 50 individuals or couples will receive souvenir Mason jar beverage mugs. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, picnic baskets, and coolers. Additionally, Michoacána Irmanaju mobile ice cream shop will be there as well. The event is rain or shine, with the pavilion providing shelter if needed.

We have some remarkable natural resources here in the Dubuque area. My hope is that events like Land and Water Fest encourage more people to get out and experience them, while also reminding us that protecting them takes more than simply enjoying them. Come for the music and stories; stay for the trails, rivers, and natural areas we love. They are worth protecting for the people who will explore them after us.