Iowa State recently received the North Central Publication Award for the ISU Extension publication Stewards of Our Streams.

The award was sponsored by the National Woodland Owner’s Association and the Natural Resources and Environment Division of USDA’s Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service.

NWOA is a national organization that supports woodlands owned by private owners, according to a press release.

Tom Isenhart, associate scientist of forestry, said Stewards of Our Streams focuses on the restoration of areas of land along streams and wetlands.

“We would like to see the publication in the hands of private landowners or people that have direct contact with landowners,” Isenhart said.

He said Stewards of Our Streams is not a recurring publication, but ISU Extension does publish six-page updates every few months.

“Land is very expensive and landowners need to benefit from [this trend],” Isenhart said.

Isenhart said the right combination of vegetation not only provides beautiful landscaping, but also improves water quality.

“We use a combination of trees, shrubs and native grasses,” he said.

In addition to the publication, Isenhart said ISU Extension and the forestry department work together to serve the public in many other ways.

Paul Wray, extension forester, said he helps county offices organize extension programs.

“I serve many counties in terms of writing publications, giving programs, hosting tours of sites and helping with Forestry Field Days,” Wray said.

He said he shows people how to do anything from pruning trees to making windbreaks.

Others involved in publishing Stewards of Our Streams were Richard Schultz, Amy Kuehl, Joe Colletti and Laura Miller. Dorothia Rohner provided illustrations and Valerie King was the graphic designer.