2026 Legislative Priorities
Posted on January 12, 2026 at 9:30 AM by Anna Gray
As the 2026 legislative session gets underway, Iowans have an important role to play in shaping policy and funding opportunities. Voices of Iowans will be particularly impactful for the future of the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund.
Iowa voters created the Natural Resources & Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund in 2010 by approving a constitutional amendment that created a dedicated fund for the purposes of “protecting and enhancing water quality and natural areas in this state including parks, trails, and fish and wildlife habitat, and conserving agricultural soils in this state.”
However, the state legislature must raise the sales tax 3/8 of one cent for any funds to be added to the Trust Fund. While the Trust Fund remains empty, public support for soil conservation, watershed protection, trails and outdoor recreation continues to grow. Since 2010, Iowans have missed out on over $3 billion that could have been invested in our environment and communities. Funding the Trust would provide approximately $250 million annually — nearly double our current level of investment in those areas.
Iowans have a strong tradition of caring for our natural resources and have forged ahead in maximizing use of well-established programs that the Trust Fund would enhance, such as the Resource Enhancement & Protection Program (REAP), the State Recreational Trails Program, and the Water Quality Initiative. Conservation and community leaders have been successful in leveraging millions of dollars since 2010. As such, the legislature has raised the question: Do we still need the Trust Fund?
There are countless metrics that show that Iowa can continue to make strides in protecting natural resources and creating outdoor recreation opportunities. Yet, Iowa’s outdoors spaces and natural resources affect our everyday lives, so do your own “research.” Consider the challenges and opportunities in your community and how funding the Trust Fund would provide meaningful investment.
Are there concerns about drinking water or beach closures? Could a trail serve as a safe route to schools, parks, businesses, and public spaces? Are the farmers in your area struggling to expand or adopt new conservation practices?
Share your experience with your state legislator, with your local officials, with us. The experiences we live and the visions we have for our communities should steer the direction for policy and funding that make Iowa a place we are proud to call home.
While resources have been dedicated to conservation and outdoor recreation since 2010, there’s more work to be done. The Trust Fund would help unlock Iowa’s full potential by providing increased, reliable funding for water quality, regenerative agriculture and the parks, trails, and wildlife areas that enrich our communities and lives.
What’s been accomplished:
- $425 million allocated to water quality practices
- 3.8 million acres of cover crops — up from just 50,000 in 2010
- $41.5 million allocated to the State Recreational Trails Program since 2010
- $315 million has been appropriated to manage and enhance state parks, wildlife habitat, and local parks and open spaces
Progress towards meaningful change for conservation and outdoor recreation:
Water: Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy estimates that 7.7 million acres of cropland should be treated by wetlands to meet nutrient reduction goals—we have met 2% of that goal.
Regenerative Agriculture: 12.5 million acres of cover crops are needed to achieve NRS goals — we’re 30% there.
Trails: Only 14% of SRT grant request have been met — leaving 86% of needs unmet and an average demand of 8x the amount of funding available.
Parks and Wildlife Areas: REAP grant requests have approached 3x the available dollars, funding only approximately 27% of requested support.
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