The destructive Emerald Ash Borer has been found again, this time in Creston, in southwestern Iowa. Already, a quarantine on wood is in place in Eastern Iowa, where the pest was first identified in the state. See more about this latest discovery, and further potential quarantines, from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship:
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Category: Environment
Pollution warning issued for Cedar Rapid...
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issued an air quality warning today for east-central Iowa. Officials noted that elevated fine particle pollution levels were recorded across the area this morning and those levels above EPA health standards are likely to persist in this area today.
Where have all the monarchs gone?
Sad news about what some of us already suspected: the monarch butterfly population appears to be down this year at the insects’ overwintering site in Mexico. The Fall Migration News notes that only 10 trees were filled with the delicate orange and black butterflies this November at El Rosario Sanctuary, compared to 60 trees just […]
Iowa River Friends meeting set for Nov. ...
IOWA CITY – A new group called Iowa River Friends was started this year to improve, protect and enjoy the Iowa River, its creeks and streams. The group provided details on an upcoming meeting to gather information about river restoration throughout the state for the Iowa Legislature’s Study Committee on Rivers and Waterways. Here is […]
Experience the connection between health...
A relaxing day at Wapsipincon State Park this past weekend helped me appreciate the waterways that run through Iowa. Unfortunately, our state doesn’t have the best reputation for pristine rivers, streams and lakes, but efforts are underway to make changes, utilizing the sometimes overlooked connection between healthy soils and clean water. One of those projects […]
Eastern Iowa under firewood quarantine; ...
Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive pest that has already killed millions of ash trees in the United States, is gaining a foothold in Iowa. Today, state officials issued a quarantine on firewood to try to help stem the tide. Read a Q&A on Emerald Ash Borer, find where meetings are scheduled to address the issue […]
They won’t suck your blood, but will eat
I saw two bats circling overhead this week, which I thought was unusual, given Iowa’s recent cold streak, but it also made me grateful that we’re still seeing bats in this area. In some parts of the country, white-nose syndrome has devastated bats populations. I view bats as a good friend of the environment, especially […]
Switch clocks back one hour first weeken...
Scary, I know. Some people or entities are a bit confused by the time change, which happens next weekend, not in October, as it did several years ago. Standard Time begins the first Sunday in November.
Meetings scheduled in Cedar Rapids to di...
CEDAR RAPIDS – The Emerald Ash Borer, which has devastated ash trees in several other states, has found its way to Iowa and now, two meetings have been scheduled to provide information for industry workers and the public. Most recently identified in a residential tree in Mechanicsville in northern Cedar County, the invasive pest has […]
Public invited to participate in Trees F...
CEDAR RAPIDS – Our friends at Trees Forever are busy with planting projects and much more this fall. Besides the popular TreeKeepers program, coming up Oct. 12 and Oct. 19 in the Corridor, Trees Forever’s expert staff is working on Branching Out plantings, including one in Marion. Also, the group’s annual symposium will be held […]