America’s Watershed Initiative Appoints New Executive Director

Kim Lutz has been named as the new Executive Director for the America's Watershed Initiative. AWI is a collaboration among hundreds of business, government, academic, and civic organizations, including the National Corn Growers Association, with a mission of finding solutions to the challenges facing the Mississippi River and its tributaries.

AWI serves as a voice for the entire Mississippi River Watershed, working to chart an action plan for the watershed that secures the long-term health of our nation, its communities, economies and natural systems. The NCGA Director of Stewardship and Sustainability, Rachel Orf, serves on the AWI board.

NCGA supports AWI efforts because the infrastructure of the Mississippi River Watershed continues to face significant challenges at the same time its national and local importance continues to grow. The fourth-largest watershed in the world, the Mississippi River Watershed traverses 31 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces, comprising more than 250 rivers in five basins. The transportation network in the Mississippi River Watershed moves millions of tons of goods safely, reliably, and efficiently, generating billions in economic benefit, and the system’s rivers and wetlands provide unique wildlife, habitat, and recreational opportunities.

Lutz joins AWI from The Nature Conservancy, where she most recently initiated and successfully led two multi-state watershed programs along the Savannah and Connecticut Rivers.