Community Flood Resilience for the Upper Iowa River Watershed

DRC Sponsor: John Moeller

Jon Jensen is a Professor of Environmental Studies and Philosophy at Luther College and is Director of the Center for Sustainable Communities at Luther. He will be speaking about a recent research project focused on watershed planning efforts and enhancement of community flood resilience in northeast Iowa with an emphasis on Upper Iowa River flooding events.

In the aftermath of the 2016 Upper Iowa River flood, the Luther Center for Sustainable Communities convened a team of faculty and students to work in partnership with the Iowa Flood Center and the Upper Iowa River Watershed Management Authority to study community flood resilience, with a particular focus on Freeport. Funded by a federal grant, the research on the Upper Iowa was part of the Iowa Watershed Approach, a statewide initiative that seeks to understand and enhance flood resilience in nine watersheds across the state. Both climatological research and anecdotal experiences show flooding as a growing concern in the upper Midwest. In particular, those who live near rivers like the Upper Iowa must adapt to this changing reality. The research sought to understand how community preparation and response can be done most effectively.

In addition to his work as a faculty member at Luther, Dr. Jensen has been a member of the board of directors for the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education and on the steering committee for the Upper Midwest Association for Campus Sustainability. He works to promote sustainability in the curriculum at Luther, across the Midwest, and throughout the country. He teaches courses on Environmental Philosophy, Food and the Environment, Environmental Leadership, and Sustainable Communities.

Dr. Jensen was awarded a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Colorado (2000), an MA in Philosophy from the University of Colorado (1999), and a BA in Philosophy and Political Science from Luther College (1989).

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**Please complete your noon meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.