The word “green” is one of those words that has come to mean more than the dictionary definition of even, say, 20 years ago. Locally, events that have occurred along the Cedar, Wapsipinicon and Maquoketa Rivers in just the last three years remind us of how our actions have had an impact on our natural environment. At a time where opinions on many issues seem to be evenly split, the approval rating of Iowa’s Water and Land Legacy Amendment to the Iowa Constitution by voters last November we believe reflects an acknowledgement and will of our residents that when it comes to environment and green, we can and should do better.
In Jones County, a process has begun to update the Land Use Plan considering principles that relate to deliberation of all appropriate planning, zoning, development and resource management decisions. Elements that could be included in that comprehensive plan reference natural resources as well as environmental benefits and other “smart” planning objectives. In Linn County, the effort to improve good water management practices throughout an entire watershed was initiated. The Cedar River Watershed Coalition now represents entities, agencies and organization in a twenty two county area.
In a letter to the editor printed in the Des Moines Register last September, our former Director of the Iowa department of Natural resources, Rich Leopold, mentioned the analogy of our natural environment mirroring a frog in a pot of warming water. You keep turning up the head and eventually the frog dies. Also related to bettering our natural environment, he mentioned the positive aspect of small groups of people working together, doing amazing things. We agree. We hope that the information presented at this field day will help to inspire awareness of environmental issues and provide those that attend some of the tools to help them improve their green space.
Location
County Ridge Estates
Fairview Road
½ mile west of Fairview
Speakers:
Land Use Changes in Iowa and Iowa’s Soils and Soil Mapping
Mark Minger Natural Resources Conservation Service
Johnson County’s Conservation Subdivision Ordinance
RJ Moore Johnson County Planning and Zoning
Selecting Tree Species to Maximize Environmental Benefits
Karen Brook Trees Forever
Rain Gardens & Storm Water Management in a Rural Subdivision Setting
Amy Bouska Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
The Living Roadway Trust Fund and Iowa’s Living Roadways
Steve Holland Iowa Department of Transportation
Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management along County Road E-34
Wes Gibbs Jones County Road Dept.
Native Prairie Planting and Management in a Conservation Reserve Program Setting
Rob Roman Linn County Road Dept.
Water Infiltration & Nutrient Cycling in both Ag and Urban Environments
Dr. Matt Helmber Iowa State University
Controlling Invasive Species
Debbie Morton Dow AgroSciences
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