Iowa State University plans a two-day August workshop addressing climate variability, infrastructure design and population dynamics in the Mississippi River watershed. Supported by a $50,000 National Science Foundation grant, the sessions are designed to foster collaboration among rural and urban communities. Speakers will include Anu Ramaswami, a technology and public policy authority at the University of Minnesota, and Pat Boddy, who has worked as sustainability strategist for RDG Planning & Design and as director of Polk County Conservation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Potential presenters can apply online.