Daily Staff Writer

The Year of Water celebration will begin in earnest today at a kickoff event in Des Moines at the State Historical Building with Gov. Terry Branstad in attendance.

The year-long series of events is meant to recognize success and identify needs for water protection in the decade to come.

Iowa State President Martin Jischke will speak at the celebration along with officials from the University of Northern Iowa and the University of Iowa.

Jan James, a junior in public service and administration in agriculture, will be giving a five-minute speech on protecting water resources for the future.

While in high school at Creston she came in second in a national FFA speech contest.