2024 IEC Newsletter: March/April

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Taking Action in Iowa this Earth Month

Happy Earth Month, IEC friends! While Earth Day officially takes place on Monday, April 22, many organizations, communities, and groups recognize and celebrate all things Earth and the environment throughout the month.

Iowans have many ways to get involved and give back, whether you want to pick up trash, improve native landscapes, participate in citizen science, get in a workout, or even just do a little shopping!

Once again this year, IEC has gathered a number of resources and ideas that you can do here in Iowa. You can also visit the EPA's Earth Day page for ideas and information. Whatever you do to recognize, honor, and support Iowa's environment or that of our planet, we here at IEC join our many partners in saying thank you!

More News

Understanding the true scope of the Nishnabotna spill

A March fertilizer spill at NEW Cooperative in southwest Iowa that entered the East Nishnabotna River killed approximately 750,000 fish over a 60 mile stretch of river.

It is the largest fish kill in Iowa in a decade and the fifth largest in our state’s history.

IEC Water Program Director Alicia Vasto reacts in a guest column, which was published in the Gazette this week.

How high are your electric bills? It's time to do something

Electricity is getting more and more expensive in Iowa.

MidAmerican Energy has raised rates by 30% since 2010; Alliant Energy requested a 24% raise in 2019 and is now asking to raise residential rates by as much as $200 per year!

Enough is enough. Tell your legislator it's time to act to lower rates and protect Iowans from rising electricity bills.

The IRA in Iowa panel event educates on opportunities

In February, IEC co-hosted a panel event with the UI's Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative, Rewiring America, and the UI Labor Center.

Sessions tied the IRA to opportunities for sustainability, economic development, and labor in Iowa.

Learn more about the event and watch the session recordings on IEC's YouTube channel.

Upcoming IEC & Partner Events

Upcoming Environmental Events

4/6 - Save Our Streams Training, Des Moines
4/6 - Invasive Species Removal: Brown's Woods, Des Moines
4/6 - Earth Expo, Iowa City
4/8 - Earth Month Art Build, Des Moines
4/13 - Climate: An election issue, Ames
4/14 - Eating Better Together: A Mindful Eating Event, Des Moines
4/16 - Rainscape Your Yard for Soil and Water Health, Des Moines
4/17 - Museum X: Source of the Mississippi to Dubuque by Canoe, Dubuque
4/17 - Iowa, the Beautiful Land: Envisioning an Action Agenda for Nature and Agriculture, Iowa City
4/18 - North Iowa Green Expo & Market, Clear Lake
4/20 - Party for the Planet, Dubuque
4/20 - EcoFest 2024, Cedar Rapids
4/20 - 2024 Earth Day at the Botanical Garden, Des Moines
4/20 - Earth Day Events Around Iowa, Various
4/22 - Earth Day Action: Demand Clean Energy, Des Moines
4/25 - Soloing the Mississippi River, Virtual
4/26 - One Sustainable Iowa Student Conference, Ames
4/27 - Save Our Streams Training, Cedar Rapids
5/4 - Later is Too Late Rally, Omaha

View the Complete Events Calendar

Organizational Member News

View environmental jobs open in Iowa

Organizations across the state are hiring for open roles. Take a look and apply or share with a qualified candidate you know!

- Community Engagement Coordinator for Tribal Communities, HEJC
- Multiple positions, Clean Energy Districts of Iowa
- Pollinator Conservation Specialist, Prairie Rivers of Iowa
- Regional Coordinator, SILT
- Policy Associate - Clean Energy, Center for Rural Affairs
- Sustainability Coordinator, City of Ames

Microgrid system aims to improve reliability, affordability

A new post from our friends at the Center for Rural Affairs examines a new microgrid project in Montezuma, made possible by a grant from the Energy Improvement in Rural or Remote Area program.

The project is a partnership between Iowa State and Montezuma Municipal Light & Power. It will use solar arrays and battery storage to power more than 700 homes, 200 commercial buildings, and two industrial facilities.

Photo courtesy of Center for Rural Affairs.

Iowa's Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge is #1

IEC Member Organization Friends of the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge is celebrating the Iowa refuge's selection as the best national wildlife refuge in America to visit in a USA Today 10Best list.

A Des Moines Register article on the award says the Iowa refuge beat out locations in Hawaii, Colorado, and New Mexico for the top spot.

Read more about the refuge and why it was chosen for the top spot.