(Council Bluffs, IA) – Officials with Google and the Great Outdoors Foundation have announced a $1.7 million grant from the Conservation Acceleration Fund to benefit the Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship’s Conservation Working Lands Project. In a press release, Google says the funding is part of Google’s broader commitment to responsibly manage water resources in the communities where the company builds and operates data centers.
“Google’s commitment will support this five-year initiative, aiding local farmers in western Iowa as they convert 5,000 acres of agricultural land into perennial hay and pasture systems. This land conversion will reduce fertilizer use and associated runoff, improving water quality by decreasing sediment and nutrient pollution in nearby waterways.
“This project brings Google’s total support of water stewardship initiatives across Iowa to more than $5.5 million since 2024. Previously funded projects include irrigation efficiency and the construction of grade stabilization structures — designed to capture runoff, manage flood control, and protect regional water resources. Together, these projects are estimated to replenish more than 1.2 billion gallons of water in 2026. The projects supported by Google funding also provide secondary habitat, carbon, and biodiversity benefits to the surrounding community,” according to the news release.
Hannah Inman, CEO of the Great Outdoors Foundation, said in the press release, “Addressing water quality in Iowa requires a diverse coalition of public and private partners, maximizing the investment in our natural resources and benefits for people and planet. We are thrilled to connect Google’s generous support with the dynamic, high-impact work of the Conservation Working Lands Project.”
Ben Townsend, Global Head of Infrastructure Strategy & Sustainability at Google, says “Water is a vital resource, playing a crucial role in transportation, energy, agriculture, manufacturing, and, most importantly, healthy ecosystems & communities. As data centers evolve to support our growing digital world, we have both an opportunity and a responsibility to protect community water resources while investing in watersheds and public water infrastructure to ensure we all have a bright water future. Our goal is to deliver on these commitments, while creating a blueprint for responsible water use across the industry.”
Google says its support of the Iowa project is part of a larger announcement of $17 million in support of seven new projects across the country to help advance the tech giant’s water stewardship ambitions. Click here to learn more.
Google has called Iowa home since 2007 when first breaking ground at the Council Bluffs data center. Since then, the company has invested more than $20 billion and established a long-term commitment in the state.
