Tom Vilsack announcing adding 400,000 acres to the CRP. Photo by USDAgov, Flickr.
Iowa Public Radio details the efforts of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) in Iowa.
The CRP is a program where farmers receive money to keep portions of their land out of production. This reduces runoff, prevents erosion and creates more habitats for migrating birds.
The Iowa Flood Center is working with NASA to improve flood forecasting.
NASA uses satellites to estimate rainfall. These estimates are being checked against ground data taken in northeastern Iowa through a partnership between NASA and the Iowa Flood Center.
The comparisons between the satellite and ground data will lead to better interpretations of the satellite data.
In order to reduce waste, the University of Iowa will host a Year-End Donation Drive.
At the donation drive, students living in Iowa Residence Halls will have the opportunity to donate items to Goodwill. The event takes place on May 15th at Quadrangle and Mayflower, and May 16 at Burge.
To see the full list of items that can be donated, click here.
A study out of the University of Iowa finds high levels of the compounds D4 and D5 in Chicago’s air.
D4 and D5 are compounds found in many personal care products including deodorants, soaps, lotions, shampoos and conditioners.
The study found that concentrations of the compounds were 10 times higher in Chicago than West Branch, IA and four times higher than Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
There is no evidence that high concentrations of D5 pose health concerns to people. However, not much is currently understood about the compound.
D4 is toxic to wildlife, and caused tumors, reproductive problems and altered organ size in studies of lab animals.
The Little Village has published a “progress report” of the University of Iowa’s 2020 vision.
The 2020 vision refers to a set of sustainability goals adopted by the university in 2010 that they hope to complete by the end of 2020.
The progress report covers the vision’s seven general goals: achieve net-negative energy growth; green the energy portfolio; decrease the production of waste; reduce the carbon impact of transportation; increase student opportunities to learn and practice principles of sustainability; support and grow interdisciplinary research in sustainability-focused areas; and develop partnerships to advance collaborative initiative, both academic and professional.
Some Iowa City businesses are composting to reduce their impact on the environment.
The Bluebird Diner, New Pioneer Co-op and four Iowa City-area Hy-Vee stores all have composting programs.
Composting helps the environment by producing healthier soil and by keeping food waste out of landfills. As food decomposes in landfills, it releases the greenhouse gas methane.
Read more about the environmental efforts of Iowa City businesses here.