An international erosion control organization is holding a conference in Dubuque next week on erosion control and stormwater management to prepare attendees for spring construction.
Themed “Doing Better: From Commitment to Action,” the Great Lakes and Great Rivers chapters of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) are coming together along the Iowa/Illinois border to host the IECA Great Connections 2026 Conference at Hotel Julien Dubuque from Wednesday, Oct. 14, to Thursday, Oct. 15.
Partnering with the Iowa Stormwater Education Partnership (ISWEP), they decided on a half-day to begin at 1:15 p.m., to give vendors time to set up, promote their key speaker and let the ISWEP do a training before kicking off the conference, with the next day being a full schedule from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Conservation biologist, environmental historian and writer Curt Meine will be the conference’s keynote speaker, offering insight directly relevant to erosion and stormwater control and watershed alliance from his work exploring the relationships between people and the landscapes they manage.
Since its establishment in 2014, the conference has traveled from La Crosse to St. Louis; this will be Dubuque’s second time hosting, thanks to the city’s stormwater management permit through the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Vendors, exhibitors, and speakers from 10 states will attend to highlight issues and topics in erosion control and stormwater management and teach the latest techniques and technologies in the industry.
Event Manager for the Great Connections conference, Kim Kline, said in a phone interview with WVIK that the multi-day workshop will set the tone for longer-range planning topics, such as compliance with active post-construction stormwater and construction general permits.
“Our ultimate goal is to get education to our industry and hopefully spur younger professionals to spur younger professionals to put down the best management practices going forward,” Kline said.
Kline went on to speak about how a tone will be set at the conference for longer-range planning topics, such as Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4), active post-construction stormwater and construction general permits compliance.
Sessions will cover topics such as local pollinator studies, construction site management, and controlling sedimentation from construction sites.
Urban Watershed Coordinator for Dubuque County Watershed, Dean Mattoon, who was also interviewed, said the event gives the public and professionals a chance to gather and discuss issues and topics in erosion control and stormwater management.
“There's going to be something for everyone within this conference,” Mattoon said. “Anything from local pollinator studies and how that is all working within small pockets within Dubuque County, up to just noticing erosion and sediment control on construction sites and seeing repairs to our stream bank networks.”
Mattoon has hosted conferences in Dubuque with Eric Shmechel, his partner in Dubuque County Watersheds, for almost 2 decades as part of the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4).
Interested participants are encouraged to look at the trade show vendors on the full agenda and register by this Friday, Oct. 9.
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