The Great Outdoors Foundation and ICON Water Trails have announced the recipients of their 2025 annual awards recognizing leadership in conservation and recreation. John Swanson, Polk County water resources supervisor, received the Creative Conservationist Award for his role in advancing water quality through Polk County’s “Batch and Build” program, which has implemented 185 practices treating 6,000 acres of tile drainage. The Waveshaper Award was presented to ICON Water Trails’ capital campaign co-chairs Steve Chapman, Allison Fleming and Suku Radia, along with honorary co-chairs Jim Cownie, Bill Knapp, Connie Wimer and Steve Zumbach, for raising over $33.5 million in private funds toward ICON’s regional initiative. Honorees will be recognized at the 2025 Wild Prairie Showdown on Oct. 16 at the Val Air Ballroom. To learn more about the event, click here.