Courtesy of Bob Rye
The Iowa DNR will move forward with demolishing an education center at Springbrook State Park after approval from the Natural Resource Commission. The center in Guthrie County made a big impact on thousands of students, educators and conservationists.
Cami Koons
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Iowa Capital Dispatch
Gavin McGough
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Iowa Public Radio
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The Iowa chapter of the Land Improvement Contractors of America says the space will make it easier to educate the next generation of professional contractors, along with government employees, lawmakers and students, to help conserve soil and water in the state through edge-of-field practices. They're a key part of Iowa's strategy to reduce nutrient pollution. -
Central Iowa Water Works — the regional water authority that serves one in five Iowans — has issued a lawn watering ban in the Des Moines area. It’s the result of a demand spike and consistently high nitrate levels in the rivers and other sources that provide water for the system. -
The Iowa Integrated Network for Science, Information, and Geospatial Health Tracking, or INSIGHT, will examine how factors like PFAS and nitrate affect Iowans' health
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Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the state’s first so-called Iowa Farm Act, along with the appropriations bill for agriculture and natural resources. The legislation provides more funding for local food and water treatment plants. -
Neil Hamilton wants Iowans to listen to the land, and throughout his career as director of Drake University’s Agricultural Law Center, he advocated for the land and sustainable agricultural practices. He has dedicated his retirement years to the same mission. Hamilton joins the program to talk about his third book in a series on our environment, 'Through Nature’s Lens: Do We Really Love Our Land and Water.' Then, the early months and years of motherhood are filled with contradictions; it's a time of wonder and discovery, but also drudgery. Emily Bright captures that time in her poetry collection, 'Fierce Delight: Poems of Early Motherhood.' (A portion of this episode was originally produced on May 7, 2025.) -
As President Donald Trump has promised deregulation, experts share what that means for water quality and where regulations already fall short. Farmer and former Iowa Corn Growers Association President Tim Recker has dramatically changed his farm, going no-till and adding wetlands. Water quality proponent Silvia Secchi who gives a history of The Clean Water Act and argues regulations don't go far enough. Also, Nina Elkadi, an investigative reporter, shares her reporting on water quality issues. Then, Melissa Miller, the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative project director, speaks about the complexities of nutrient application on farms and the work they are doing to make this application more accurate. (This episode was produced in March 2025.)
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Central Iowa Water Works leaders said data indicates central Iowans may face another lawn watering ban due to high nitrate levels unless residents limit water use. -
Rob Sand, the Democratic candidate for governor, has shared priorities for water quality and healthcare for Iowans, including changes to manure management plans and an immediate reversal of the privatization of Medicaid in Iowa. -
Pulitzer Prize winner Art Cullen is known for having a way with words — and for telling it like it is. His new book is called 'Dear Marty, We Crapped In Our Nest: Notes from the Edge of the World.' He writes about the Storm Lake he knew as a kid and how things have changed. He also chronicles the history of agriculture in Iowa, the challenges we're facing today and the people who are trying to make a difference. Host Charity Nebbe spoke with the lifelong Storm Lake resident and the co-owner and editor of the 'Storm Lake Times Pilot.' (This episode was originally produced on Oct. 3, 2025)
