University of Iowa/Maquoketa River watershed project showcase event is Thursday in Maquoketa

University of Iowa faculty, staff and students on Thursday will converge in Maquoketa to celebrate accomplishments of a partnership with Eastern Iowa communities. Members of the public are encouraged to attend this free event.

Over the last year, nearly 200 UI students have been working with Eastern Iowa officials and residents to complete 36 local projects. The collaborations are made possible through the Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities (IISC), the UI’s foremost community engagement program. IISC connects UI faculty and students with local communities to complete mutually beneficial projects. Students from a variety of disciplines, from law to engineering to art, benefit from unique real-world learning experiences while helping communities address local needs and opportunities.

Two partnering organizations, the Jackson County Economic Alliance and the Maquoketa River Watershed Management Authority, worked closely with IISC to identify and support the projects that served communities in Jackson County and across the Maquoketa River watershed.

The event begins with presentations by student teams, taking place in several venues in downtown Maquoketa from 3 to 5 p.m. After the presentations, attendees will meet at the Maquoketa Brewery from 5 to 6 p.m. for socializing and a short program. This free social event will include food and drinks. Attendees who register in advance will receive one complementary drink ticket to redeem at the Maquoketa Brewery. Registration can be found at www.foriowa.org/events.

More information is available on the Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities website at iisc.uiowa.edu/partnerships.