Iowa Environmental Council

05/29/2026

"Parks, lakes, rivers, trails, and green spaces are often described and experienced as places where communities can recharge physically, mentally, and emotionally," writes Monica Goodlett, founder of Black Iowa Outdoors. "But access to these spaces, a sense of belonging, and environmental justice has never been equal — especially for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities."

Read Monica's guest blog at iaenvironment.org/blog.

Black Iowa Outdoors works to inspire, empower, and support Black Iowans and allies to improve their health and well-being while fostering a love for the outdoors and community. Check out monthly hikes, volunteer opportunities, and other adventures at blackiowaoutdoors.com.

05/21/2026

Thank you to the more than 200 advocates who attended IEC's annual PRO H2O event to support the continued fight for clean water in Iowa.

The evening featured updates on IEC's water quality work, as well as a conversation with Mariah Blake, the award-winning author of “They Poisoned the World: Life and Death in the Age of Forever Chemicals.”

The event demonstrated the energy and strength of the movement to demand clean water for all Iowans. Thank you to everyone – both longtime supporters and new friends – who attended PRO H2O and to the sponsors who made it possible.

We're stronger together.

The Big Apple Orchard
Des Moines Water Works
Greater Iowa Credit Union
HealthSource Chiropractic of West Des Moines
ITC Holdings Corp.
Krause Group
Practical Farmer
Tito's Handmade Vodka
Voya
Amanda Drish-Adolf & Nick Adolf
Charlotte & Fred Hubbell
Katherine & Josh Mandelbaum
Cyril & John Mandelbaum
Lorraine & Tom May
Betty & Craig Miller
Kay & Bob Riley - Riley Resource Group
Deb Wiley & John Schmidt

Photo credit and big thanks to our friend Joe Crimmings.

05/09/2026

IEC has joined 82 organizations nationwide to call on the EPA and the Department of Health and Human Services to take emergency action on nitrate pollution. Our new "Environmental Risk Factors and Iowa's Cancer Crisis" report shows that nitrate below the EPA's current standard of 10 mg/L is associated with several types of cancer. Here in Iowa, we are especially at risk, with some of the most nitrate-contaminated waterways in the nation.

Iowa ranks second in the nation for cancer incidence and is one of just three states where rates are rising. Iowa’s primary nitrate polluter is industrial agriculture, with more Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations and more row crops per acre than any other state in the country. Among other demands, our letter calls on EPA to act on a Safe Drinking Water Act emergency petition filed to protect Iowans’ drinking water in 2024.

"We cannot wait any longer to address this urgent public health crisis," says Colleen Fowle, Water Program Director for IEC.

Read the full news release: iaenvironment.org/newsroom

Stay informed. Sign up to receive our updates: iaenvironment.org/email

05/07/2026

Get your tickets before they're gone. If you care about clean water in Iowa, you won't want to miss this event.

PRO H2O: Flowing Forward
When: 6:30-8:30 p.m., May 14, 2026
Where: Bash, Des Moines
Tickets required: iaenvironment.org/pro26

Special thanks to the sponsors who make this event possible:

The Big Apple Orchard
Des Moines Water Works
Greater Iowa Credit Union
HealthSource Chiropractic of West Des Moines
ITC Holdings Corp.
Krause Group
Practical Farmers of Iowa
Tito's Handmade Vodka
Voya

Amanda Drish-Adolf & Nick Adolf
Charlotte & Fred Hubbell
Katherine & Josh Mandelbaum
Cyril & John Mandelbaum
Lorraine & Tom May
Betty & Craig Miller
Kay & Bob Riley - Riley Resource Group
Deb Wiley & John Schmidt

05/04/2026

Berkshire Hathaway operates the largest coal fleet in the country. As shareholders ran in this weekend’s “Invest in Yourself” 5K after Berkshire's annual shareholder meeting, advocates from the Iowa Environmental Council, Sierra Club Iowa Beyond Coal, Great Plains Action Society, , and Clean Up MidAm were there to make sure the public knows the true health, financial, and environmental costs of the burning coal. Check out this report from KMTV 3 News Now.

05/03/2026

"When, she wanted to know, will Berkshire's companies stop using the fossil fuels that hurt the environment? The audience applauded."

An Omaha high school student stepped up to the microphone and told Abel that he probably remembered her. She asked him a question at last year's annual meeting and she was going to ask the same one this year. When, she wanted to know, will Berkshire's companies stop using the fossil fuels that hur

04/28/2026

Our team is growing! Work at the intersection of public health and Iowa's environment as a Community Outreach Coordinator for our ongoing work on the environmental risk factors driving Iowa's cancer rates. Learn more about the job and how to apply at iaenvironment.org/joinourteam.

04/22/2026

At IEC, we're dedicated to a just, healthy environment and sustainable future for all Iowans. On this Earth Day, we're grateful to everyone who takes actions big and small to protect and respect ALL people here in Iowa and on our shared planet.

04/20/2026

Join us on May 14 for a moderated discussion with Mariah Blake, an award-winning journalist and author, at PRO H2O, our annual fundraiser in support of clean water advocacy and action. Blake will talk about her 2025 book, "They Poisoned the World: Life and Death in the Age of Forever Chemicals," which chronicles how a small community fought for justice after finding forever chemicals in its water supply.

The book was named of The Washington Post’s and Scientific American’s best nonfiction books of 2025. You can purchase a copy at PRO H2O and have it signed by the author! Attendees will also enjoy drinks, appetizers, and time to connect with fellow advocates who believe clean water is worth fighting for.

PRO H2O
6:30-8:30 p.m., May 14, 2026
BASH, 1312 Locust Street #101, Des Moines 50309
Tickets: $40/individual; $300/table
Details and RSVP: iaenvironment.org/pro26

04/17/2026

House File 2297 is one of the most actionable cancer-prevention bills in the Iowa legislature — but so far, it's not on the debate calendar in the Iowa Senate and time is running out in the session. By addressing radon in Iowa homes, HF 2297 has the potential to save lives. Use our Action Alert to contact your State Senator today: iaenvironment.org/takeaction.

The details: HF 2297 would require the installation of passive radon mitigation systems in all new single- and two-family homes. This typically adds $300-$500 to the cost of building a new home, while installing an active radon mitigation system in an existing home costs $1,500 - $3,000 or more. As we shared in our cancer report, the average level of radon in Iowa homes that have been tested is 8 pCi/L, which is double the EPA threshold of 4 pCi/L. (Studies also show that even 4 pCi/L is too high and can lead to cancer with long-term exposure.)

This bill already passed the Iowa House of Representatives 87-4, and now the Senate needs to vote. Lung cancer is the deadliest form of cancer in Iowa. If you care about reducing preventable lung cancer deaths, contact your Senator and ask them to support HF 2297.