HIAWATHA – A “green” coalition that sparked EcoFest, a popular Earth Day celebration, is being revitalized to face watershed and water quality concerns, climate change, infill development and other environmental issues. Thirty representatives of environmental groups, students, businesses and county and city staff met last week at Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center in Hiawatha for the […]
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Category: Environment
Food and plastic top list of items going...
Even with composting and recycling programs available in many areas of the state, Iowans still tend to toss some of those items into garbage cans, to be discarded in our landfills. A new statewide study shows that food waste – much of which could be composted – took the top spot among items that Iowans […]
Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend
It’s time for a change, at least for our clocks. Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend, which means we “gain” an hour of sleep overnight into Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, but we “lose” an hour of daylight. The switch to Standard Time happens at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November. Be sure to […]
Back from brink of extinction: Trumpeter...
Once pushed to the brink of extinction by hunters selling their skin, feathers, meat and eggs, trumpeter swans have made an incredible comeback, thanks to an international treaty and wetlands restoration efforts. Iowa is now at the forefront of research to better understand the habits of this protected species. Related: Iowans charged with shooting trumpeter […]
Stewards of the land: Van Horne family l...
By Cindy Hadish/for Radish Magazine VAN HORNE – As many farmers are forced to expand their operations to stay in business, Ann and Eric Franzenburg intentionally found ways to keep their farm small. The couple, along with their three adult children, operate Pheasant Run Farm near Van Horne, Iowa, which supplies fresh cut flowers, produce […]
Photos: Solar Eclipse Viewing Party
CEDAR RAPIDS – Clouds put a damper on the day, but attendees found a silver lining at the Cedar Rapids Public Library’s Solar Eclipse Viewing Party. Hundreds of people gathered on the downtown library’s rooftop on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, to try to catch a glimpse of the eclipse and watched the NASA livestream in […]
Good Neighbor Iowa points to high cost o...
By Cindy Hadish/for Radish Magazine The “perfect” lawn, free of weeds and thick with grass, grows with hidden costs. Scientific studies show that pesticides – those weed killers, insecticides and fungicides applied to many lawns – are linked to a variety of chronic illnesses, neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorders and childhood cancers, such as leukemia. Additionally, […]
Photo gallery: March for Science and Eco...
Cedar Rapids was among more than 600 cities around the world to host a March for Science on Earth Day, coinciding with the long-running EcoFest that marks the annual celebration. Organizer of the local march, Courtney Rowe, noted that reliable scientific data is needed to ensure that our children have clean air, clean water and […]
EcoFest celebrates Earth Day in Cedar Ra...
An Earth Day celebration that began in 2010 returns this Saturday, April 22, with EcoFest 2017 scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Cedar Rapids. The event features live music, local vendors, artists, educational programs and more. Most activities take place in and around the NewBo City Market, 1100 Third St. SE, with the […]
Spring ahead this weekend
Many people like to gripe about the switch to Daylight Saving Time, as we “lose” an hour of sleep, but having daylight an hour later will make it seem like spring is on its way, even if the temperatures say otherwise. Remember to “spring ahead” with your clocks this weekend, as we make the switch, […]