Athene Watershed26 Summit to Tackle Upper Mississippi River Challenges

DES MOINES, IA – Registration is now open for Athene Watershed26, a cross-sector summit focused on addressing critical water quality issues in the Upper Mississippi River Watershed. The two-day event, hosted by the Great Outdoors Foundation and its partners, will take place on Tuesday, June 30 and Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

Addressing Urgent Watershed Issues

The summit aims to foster collaboration between leaders in agriculture, conservation, public health, and the private sector to tackle challenges such as agricultural runoff, public health risks, and recurrent flooding [Great Outdoors Foundation]. These issues are converging to create significant environmental and economic pressures on the region.

Summit Details and Agenda

Watershed26 will feature keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities. Content tracks will include Emerging Voices, Finance Solutions, Dynamic Partnerships, Science & Data, and Stacked Benefits [Great Outdoors Foundation]. The agenda includes:

• Tuesday, June 30: Registration & Exhibits, Opening Session & Keynote, Main Session & Keynote
• Wednesday, July 1: Exhibits, Main Session & Keynote

Location and Accommodation

The summit will be held at the Iowa Events Center, located at 730 3rd Street, Des Moines, IA 50309 [Great Outdoors Foundation]. Attendees traveling from out of town are encouraged to fly into the Des Moines International Airport (DSM), approximately 15 minutes from the event center.

A complimentary shuttle is available to the Hilton Des Moines Downtown by calling (515) 241-1456. The Great Outdoors Foundation has secured a discounted conference rate of $155 for single and double occupancy rooms at the Hilton Des Moines Downtown (435 Park Street, Des Moines, IA 50309) through June 1, 2026 [Great Outdoors Foundation]. Reservations can be made online under the Great Outdoors Foundation group rate.

Registration and Further Information

Registration for Athene Watershed26 is now open. Interested individuals can find full conference details and register at greatoutdoorsfoundation.org/about/events/watershed26/ [Great Outdoors Foundation]. The event is designed to drive change and chart a shared path forward for the Upper Mississippi River Watershed.

About the Great Outdoors Foundation

The Great Outdoors Foundation advances conservation through innovation, collaboration, and stewardship. It is a leading fundraising organization in the conservation and outdoor recreation sector [Great Outdoors Foundation].