“Cancer is not an abstract problem in Iowa,” oncologist Richard Deming told the people gathered in the Harkin Institute’s auditorium. “It’s not rare, it’s not declining and it’s not evenly distributed. Cancer affects everybody, but it doesn’t affect everybody equally.” Eighty percent of the 25 counties with highest cancer rates in Iowa are rural, according […]
Iowa Environmental Council
Posted inCommunity/News
Bill making it near impossible to designate Iowa waterways as impaired due to fecal bacteria contamination advances
A bill that advanced in a House subcommittee and committee Tuesday would prohibit a water segment from being designated as impaired unless the Iowa Department of Natural Resources identified the percentage of fecal bacteria coming from each animal species that contributed to its impairment. Every two years, the DNR must submit a list to the […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Seize the means of water testing with a free kit from Nitrate Watch
I wasn’t great at science in high school. Following a set of basic lab protocols was somehow harder for me than memorizing the entirety of “We Didn’t Start the Fire” by Billy Joel. I scored even worse on the science portion of the ACT than the math portion, which is saying something. That said, I love […]
Posted inCommunity/News
‘Suspicious fire’ damages Iowa’s largest sycamore; Gov. Reynolds’ opposition to CAFO rules threatens waterways
Iowa’s largest sycamore tree, which is located in a state park near Burlington, was severely damaged by a “suspicious fire,” the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said in a news release on Thursday. It’s not known if the tree, estimated to be about 350 years old, will survive. According to the DNR, a visitor […]
Posted inCentral Iowa
Art supports climate justice at the Iowa Environmental Council’s inaugural Green Gala
The Iowa Environmental Council’s (IEC) Green Gala & Art Auction filled Mainframe Studio’s Big Room on Friday, Nov. 10, with guests dressed in shades of green to support a greener future. As people sipped their wine over tunes from DJ Jaide Knight, eyes canvassed pieces of art that were to be auctioned. The main event […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Meet Alicia Vasto, the Iowa Environmental Council’s new water czar
Growing up in the small town of Adel kept a young Alicia Vasto in the outdoors, exploring nature along rivers and streams. She developed a deep love for what naturally existed around her. Understanding the grim realities of climate change, Vasto realized she could only make a big impact using a top-down approach. “To see […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
California’s Wild and Scenic Film Festival comes to Waukee Sunday
This weekend, the Iowa Environmental Council will bring the 20th Wild and Scenic Film Festival — “where activism gets inspired,” according to organizers — to Waukee. The festival was started by the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL, pronounced “circle”), a California activist group focused on protecting the Yuba River Watershed. In addition to the […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa environmentalists scored a victory for water quality as 2017 ended
Last year saw many setbacks for environmentalists as President Trump and Scott Pruitt, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), took charge of the federal government’s environmental policy. But in Iowa, 2017 ended with a win for those concerned about the state’s water quality.
