Sophia Campbell Wins Watershed Award

Sophia Campbell Wins 2025 Iowa Watershed Coordinator of the Year

By Rebekah Jones

SOPHIA CAMPBELL WINS IOWA WATERSHED AWARD 

For her work in the Yellow River Headwaters of Winneshiek County 

WINNESHIEK COUNTY, IA (IAWA) —  Sophia Campbell has been named a recipient of the prestigious Iowa Watershed Coordinator of the Year Award for her work as the Yellow River Headwaters Project Coordinator with the Winneshiek Soil and Water Conservation District. 

Fellow watershed coordinator, Erin Ogle, nominated Campbell because of her exceptional leadership, community involvement, and conservation results. 

“She loves her producers and looks out for them,” said Ogle, Taylor County SWCD Project Coordinator. 

Campbell helps landowners adopt conservation practices and improve water quality. Her project’s successes include: 

  • More than 20 miles of stream protected from livestock access and 60% of local livestock producers participating 
  • Over 3 miles of streambank stabilization, reducing nearly 5,000 tons of sediment annually 
  • Increasing cover crops from .5% of row crop acres in the watershed to well over 10% of acres 

Campbell, who is now working for the Iowa DNR, says this work is her dream job. What makes it rewarding is the people. 

“It brings me so much joy that they are proud of the improvements they have made on their property,” she said. “I love when they share these things with me because they know I care.” 

“Sophia builds and keeps trust with her producers,” Ogle said. “When she earns that trust, changes are made and that’s why she has so much success.” 

Campbell also launched a local Women, Land, and Legacy chapter to address the gap she saw in female farmland owners’ participation in conservation programs. She regularly mentors new project coordinators and shares her tactics that accelerate progress. 

About the Iowa Watershed Awards 

The Iowa Watershed Awards celebrate individuals and organizations making significant contributions to water quality and conservation in the state. The Impact Award recognizes measurable results, collaboration, and innovation that improve Iowa’s watersheds. You can read about past winners here.