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posted by Guest Blogger on Thursday, August 4, 2022 Polk County Conservation conducts water quality testing to monitor the status of rivers and streams across the county. Volunteers are key to accomplishing this effort. Summer Communications Intern McCade Gowdy shares his experience participating in testing Walnut Creek in Des Moines.

posted by Guest Blogger on Friday, July 29, 2022 This year, Iowa Project AWARE covered the West Fork of the Des Moines River for its annual volunteer clean up event July 10th through the 15th. An average of 200 volunteers paddled the river and hauled out trash for just over four days. Guest blogger, and Trash Warrior, Laura Semken documented the event and shares her daily account of the clean up. She shares the smiling faces and power of people coming together united in a purpose to help clean up Iowa's environment.

posted by Guest Blogger on Friday, July 22, 2022 Despite budget cuts to the Iowa DNR's long-running citizen science program, several groups in Story County stepped forward to ensure that volunteer stream monitoring continued in their area. Overcoming difficulties and obstacles has been hard, yet rewarding for Dan Haug of Prairie Rivers of Iowa. He shares the learning experiences, and fun, he's had along the way during his water quality monitoring program experience.

posted by Guest Blogger on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 The Central Gardens of North Iowa is a magical place for kids and families. The Central Gardens is a member of the Iowa Gives Green coalition and guest blogger Jennifer Merfeld, a volunteer at the Gardens, shares the local impact the Gardens has on the community of Clear Lake, Iowa, and hopefully future generations of children who will come to have a sense of responsibility for the environment around them.

posted by Guest Blogger on Friday, July 15, 2022 Journalist Tom Cullen of the Storm Lake Times attended IEC's Storm Lake Lakeshore Party on Saturday, July 9. He shared his observations of the event, noting the importance the lake has to the economy in the town, and writes about the impact of an organization like IEC visiting the City of Storm Lake for the first time.

posted by Matt Ohloff on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 The Des Moines City Council has finalized its latest franchise agreements, set to expire in 2035. The lengthy agreement with no out clause was a disappointment for many climate advocates, including IEC, but Clean Communities Manager Matt Ohloff outlines a new “side agreement” that helps to address some concerns.

posted by Guest Blogger on Thursday, July 7, 2022 Iowa Rivers Revival relaunched their Service Squad program to help coordinate river cleanups around the state. These cleanups not only demonstrate the success of partnerships bringing together people, businesses, and organizations united for a common cause, but they also remind us how valuable rivers are to Iowans.

posted by Guest Blogger on Tuesday, July 5, 2022 IEC is excited to host three interns assisting with legal research and communications for the summer of 2022. Learn more about Tamia, Morgan and McCade.

posted by Megan McDowell on Friday, July 1, 2022 IEC Communications Coordinator Megan McDowell shares her thoughts after attending the Living Lands & Waters Barge Party in the Quad Cities. LL&W celebrated 25 years of cleaning up the water and land. It was a time to celebrate the hard work, dedication, and passion for a mission that has expanded from the shores of Iowa to waterways around the globe.

posted by Guest Blogger on Friday, June 24, 2022 Queer Hikers is part of a growing community across the country. The group was born out of a need to build an LGBTQIA+ community in Iowa that connects around our love for the outdoors. Queer Hikers explores Iowa's outdoors with members of the LGBTQIA+ community to build friendships, learn about nature, and be our full selves.