This information is forwarded from the Iowa Environmental Council.

Council Sponsors Energy Event
April 12, Grinnell
"Global Warming and Iowa's Energy Future" is sponsored by Ecumenical
Ministries of Iowa, the Luce Program in Nations and the Global Environment at
Grinnell College, and the Council.  The event, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will
focus on energy production, business, agriculture, and environmental issues.
Bill McKibben, author of End of Nature, and Bentham Paulos, of the Energy
Foundation, are the featured speakers.  Contact Benjamin Webb at <
[log in to unmask]> or 319.277.8520.


Exhibitors sought for  Children's Water Festival
If you have a water exhibit appropriate for 5th graders, the Iowa Children's
Water Festival would like to include you in this year's Festival on May 9.
For more information please contact Paul Van Dorpe at 319.335.1580 or <
[log in to unmask]>.
Submitted by Kristie Wildung


Native plant landscaping workshop
March 7, Altoona Public Library
The Polk County Conservation Board will educate on landscaping with native
plants in Iowa.  With invasive exotic plants, native plant use is more
important that ever.  The event is intended for adults, and requires a $5
registration fee.  For more information call 515.323.5300 or visit <
http://conservationboard.org>.
Submitted by Patrice Petersen-Keys


Small producer marketing workshops
March 8, near 1-80 Greenfield exit
March 9, Johnson County Fairgrounds
"Creating Value and Understanding the Customer," sponsored by Practical
Farmers of Iowa, is presented by the Food Processing Center at the University
of Nebraska.  The March 8 event is from 1 to 5:30 p.m. just south off the
Greenfield exit on I-80.  The March 9 event is from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the
Johnson County Fairgrounds.  Contact 515.232.5649.
Submitted by Gary Huber


Dr. Wes Jackson seminars
March 11 and 12, Ames
Dr. Wes Jackson and Dr. Stan Cox of The Land Institute in Salina, KS will
present their research "Natural Systems Agriculture:  An Agriculture Where
Nature is the Measure."  Two events are scheduled on the ISU campus: a
Sustainable Agriculture Colloquium on the 11th at noon, and a seminar at 4
p.m. on the 12th.  Both events are free and open to the public.  For more
information, contact Dr. Kathleen Delate at 515.2943.5116 or <
[log in to unmask]>.
Submitted by Laura Miller


Leopold Center Urban Conversations
March 14, Sioux City; March 18, Des Moines
The Leopold Center, Ecumenical Ministries of Iowa, and National Catholic
Rural Life plan three 90-minute forums to talk about what urban and suburban
dwellers want from agriculture.  Director Fred Kirschenmann will give a short
presentation, followed by a facilitated discussion.  The forum on the 14th,
will be at Grace Methodist Church in Sioux City, and on the 18th at the Grace
Lutheran Church in Urbandale.  A forum in April is yet to finalize. For times
and more details, check the Leopold Center web site, <
http://leopold.iastate.edu> or contact Sarai Beck at 515.255.5905.
Submitted by Laura Miller


"Surviving the Loess Hills" workshops
March 14-15, Sioux City
The day-and-a-half event sponsored by the Iowa Association of Naturalists
provides sessions for education and interpretive professionals and amateurs.
A variety of topics are offered-from science education to planning to
wildlife to communications.  The workshops will be held at the Dorothy Pecaut
Nature Center.  For more information, contact Dawn Chapman at 712.258.0838 or
 <[log in to unmask]>.
Submitted by Theresa Minaya


Maquoketa Riverfest
March 22, Monticello
The day-long celebration of the Maquoketa River watershed is free and open to
the public.  Featured topics will include fishing/canoeing the Maquoketa
River, water quality protection projects, nutrient management, and watershed
points of interest.  The Mobile Outreach for Pollution Prevention traveling
display will provide pollution prevention information and answers to
questions on how business and industry impact water quality.  The event will
be held at the Berndes Center on the fairgrounds.  For more information
contact Rick Lawrence at 563-652-5104.
Submitted by Sue Behrns


Wind power workshops
March 23, New Providence
Workshops will discuss small and large wind in development issues in Iowa.
Technical sessions on siting and installation of small systems are offered,
as well as a tour of Judy and Alan Staples' successful system.  For times and
locations contact
Teresa at I-Renew at 563.288.2552 or <[log in to unmask]>.
Submitted by Don Laughlin


Public Health Conference
March 26-27, Ames
The Iowa Department of Public Health and the Iowa Environmental Health
Association invite you to attend the "Iowa Spring Conference for Public
Health: Public Health in Action."  The conference will be held at the Scheman
Center in Ames.  For full details and registration information, visit the
Iowa Environmental Health Association web page at <http://IEHA.net>
Submitted by Ken Sharp


2nd Annual Water Monitoring Conference
March 28, Cedar Rapids Prairie High School
Presentations will highlight the IOWATER citizen monitoring program,
bacterial testing at Iowa's state park beaches, groundwater monitoring,
historic trends, and public retrieval of monitoring data through Iowa STORET.
 The conference is open to the public and poster displays are welcome. The
registration fee is $10.  For more information and to register, visit <
http://www.igsb.uiowa.edu/wate> or contact Stefanie Forret at 515/281-3150 or
<[log in to unmask]>.  Deadline for registration is March 15.
Submitted by Stefanie Forret


Local Foods on University Campus
April 4, Ames
Nadeem Siddiqui, director of the award-winning Cornell University Dining
Services in Ithaca, N.Y., will share his recipe for culinary success, "From
Farm to Fork: A Forum on Locally Grown Foods at University Campuses."  An
informal discussion will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m., with Mr. Siddiqui
speaking from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.  For more information, contact Rich Pirog,
515.294.1854 or <[log in to unmask]>.
Submitted by Laura Miller


Tax Time Chickadee Check
Deadline: April 30
Support wildlife diversity programs in Iowa by contributing to the "Chickadee
Checkoff" on your state income tax forms.  This program has sponsored such
programs as the restoration of the river otter, peregrine falcon and
trumpeter swan, among many other programs.  Every dollar raised will match
four dollars of aid.  For more information, talk with your tax preparer or
visit  <
http://www.state.ia.us/government/dnr/organiza/fwb/wildlife/pages/funding.htm>
Submitted by Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and Jane Clark


Erin Jordahl
Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club
3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280
Des Moines, IA 50310
515-277-8868
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