This week’s On the Radio segment covers the benefits of urban wetland projects. Listen to the audio below, or continue reading for the transcript.
According to research, constructed wetlands can help the environment.
This is the Iowa Environmental Focus.
Constructed wetlands can reduce nutrients, collect sediment, slow flood water and improve biodiversity, said co-author J. Elizabeth Maas of Iowa City, a landscape consultant and restoration ecologist.
Iowa Policy Project founding director David Osterberg acknowledged that runoff from farm fields contributes most of the nitrogen and phosphorus loading that constitutes the chief pollutant of Iowa waters.
The recent climate shift toward more extreme rainfall events accentuates the need for measures to control runoff.
The report looks at four projects — three in Iowa City and one in Tipton — all using wetlands in various ways to manage runoff from new development or the countryside.
The Iowa Policy Project is a nonpartisan, nonprofit public policy research organization based in Iowa City
To learn more about constructed wetlands, visit iowaenvironmentalfocus.org
From the UI Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, I’m Jerry Schnoor
Iowa Environmental Focus 
Is there a link to the report posted? (“The report looks at four projects — three in Iowa City and one in Tipton — all using wetlands in various ways to manage runoff from new development or the countryside.”)
Here is a link to the PDF of the report: http://www.iowapolicyproject.org/2013Research/131030-Wetlands.pdf
And here is a link to the html version of the report: http://www.iowapolicyproject.org/2013Research/131030-Wetlands.html
The “How-to Guide” linked on the html page — and part of the PDF file Jacklyn noted — includes the descriptions of the four projects.
Please include the very best option in the report or addendum:
Protect Virgin, Productive Habitats of Nature from Harsh Human Walls, Barriers and Impermeable Surfaces of the Consumptive
Virgin natural systems function the best to integrate natural cycles for habitats and inhabitants……such as enabling function of the water cycle with the carbon cycles, photosynthesis, respiration to clean and cool and buffer the air, let in light, produce O2, absorb CO2 and CO as a “sink” to reduce risks of climate chang and to buffer the innocent from deadly force of hate and runoff, and green systems to cool and filter both air and water for health, produce rich and organic topsoil and soil makers enough to grow food, shelter, health, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness….” for All 100% now and generations from now.
We just need to count more than cash….to balance nature’s budget to balance our own…to prevent flooding, drought, desertification and costs of environmental degradation.
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