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pictured: Sioux City mural by Royyal Dog celebrating the diverse West 7th community Mapping Iowa's environmental justice needs: IEC launches new tool |
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| IEC's work on environmental justice issues in Iowa continues to expand, and this month, the organization rolled out a new tool to help all Iowans better understand environmental justice impacts in Iowa and who is most affected. To identify Iowa communities with the greatest need, IEC staff utilized data from the Council on Environmental Quality’s Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) to visualize areas of high environmental and socioeconomic burdens. IEC considered environmental burdens such as energy burden (defined as when a household energy bill is more than 6% of a household's gross income), flood risk, elevated particulate matter, and potential agricultural loss due to climate change impacts. These burdens, coupled with disadvantages through poverty and demographic indicators, were key considerations for selecting five priority communities IEC will focus our environmental justice advocacy efforts in the next two years. These include Sioux City, Des Moines, Ottumwa, Cedar Rapids, and Waterloo. Each community exceeded multiple environmental justice indicators, prompting IEC staff to identify ways we can provide support to address their unique conditions. IEC is committed to leveraging data that outlines the real challenges Iowans face every day as we work strategically with impacted communities to serve Iowans with the greatest need. This work requires consistent engagement and outreach with residents and leaders in our priority communities, which staff will begin this year. View the storymap to see key areas in Iowa impacted by environmental issues. Do you live in one of these communities and want to speak with an IEC staff member? Do you want to learn more or get involved with this work? Contact us anytime at iecmail@iaenvironment.org. | | |
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 | Take Action: How you can support the environment right now With just over a week to the first funnel deadline for the 2024 session - Friday, February 16 - bills are moving quickly through the process. Read Monday's Legislative News Bulletin email for the latest update and keep your eyes open for Action Alerts we'll send as we learn of opportunities to contact lawmakers. Right now you can reach out to legislators on a stormwater bill and rising utility rates. |
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 | Electrification and efficiency rebates to come soon for Iowans The State of Iowa is now able to submit its application for the Home Energy Rebate program and the Iowa Energy Office expects Iowans can see rebates available in mid-2024. The rebates include the HEAR program (formerly HEERA) and the HER program (formerly HOMES) to assist with energy efficiency, electrification, and more. Get more details on IEC's website. |
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 | A fond farewell and thank you to IEC's Jordan Bles After nearly five years, Development & Fundraising Director Jordan Bles has departed IEC for a new role. IEC grew in many areas during Jordan's tenure, including expanding IEC's donor base, hosting new fundraisers, securing new grant opportunities, launching Iowa Gives Green, and more. Hear from Jordan and join us in saying thank you! | | |
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 | Iowa volunteers key contributors to IWLA Nitrate Watch Launched in February 2023, the Izaak Walton League reports Nitrate Watch has made an impressive splash in its first year, sending kits to more than 1,000 volunteers who have reported over 4,000 nitrate readings. Iowans provided more than 2,700 of those readings from sites all across the state, with just shy of 10% testing between 5-10 mg/L. See page 10 of the report for Iowa data. |
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 | IWRC certifies first cidery in green brewery program Paha Cider in Waverly is the first cidery to be awarded gold level certification from the Iowa Waste Reduction Center's Iowa Green Brewery Certification (IGBC) program. The IGBC program certifies operations that have implemented sustainable practices within their facilities and brewing operations. Read the press release to learn more about Paha Cider's sustainability efforts. |
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 | River Museum calls for land conservation on River Day February 2 was National River Day, but the staff at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium asked Iowans to think about land in addition to water this year. In a recent blog post, the museum's Conservation Programs Manager Codi Sharkey shared the organization's big picture of view of conservation and protection for our state and national waterways. |
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