The January, 2026, newsletter from the Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club is now available. In this issue, you will find:
Iowa legislature
From Grassroots to the Capitol: Sierra Club, Iowa Chapter Lobby Day, February 11 with a training session on February 4. We hope you can join us at the capitol.
Eminent Domain Legislation - The Iowa House is considering a simply worded bill prohibiting the use of eminent domain for acquiring right-of-way for the construction or operation of a carbon oxide pipeline. The bill has already passed a House subcommittee and the Judiciary committee and is ready for a floor vote.
Pipeline Events at the Capitol - we will be hosting several lobby days and rallies on the carbon dioxide pipeline over the next three months. Feel free to join us at the Iowa capitol for those events.
Bill Protecting Black Bears - A bill to protect black bears has been introduced in the House. The bill would place the black bear on the list of fur-bearers. Once on the list, the black bear could be given a hunting season. At first, the season would be closed since there are so few black bear in Iowa. In the future, if the number of black bear in Iowa increase to the point where a sustainable hunting season could be supported, the Department of Natural Resources could establish a hunting season. The Sierra Club supports this bill.
Funding for Water Sensors - Unfortunately, without an infusion of $600,000 to support Iowa's water sensor network, 60 sensors that measure nitrate and nitrate pollution in Iowa's waterbodies will go silent. Ask your state representative and state senator to support fully funding Iowa's water sensor network.
Update on Bottle Deposit Law - After dragging his feet during the legislature’s recess in 2025, Senator Tim Kraayenbrink, the chair, finally scheduled the Fiscal Review Committee for the first day of the legislative session. The review of the bottle deposit law lasted about 30 minutes. Neither the Attorney General nor the Iowa Department of Natural Resources has been doing any enforcement actions since 2023, even though businesses across the state are ignoring the requirement to accept empty pop and alcohol containers.
Protecting Iowa's Environment
Endangered and Threatened Species List Under Review - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is currently accepting public comments on proposed updates to rules governing endangered and threatened species. One significant concern stands out: the proposed removal of the list of Species of Special Concern. The list of Species of Special Concern plays a critical role in conservation by identifying vulnerable species before they become threatened or endangered. Removing that list weakens Iowa’s ability to act proactively to protect wildlife when conservation efforts are often most effective.
Sioux City Wastewater Test Tampering - The City of Sioux City is paying a $300,000 fine as a result of staff at the wastewater treatment facility falsifying tests of treated water before the polluted water was discharged into the Missouri River. The city is also required to complete a number of upgrades of its wastewater treatment system.
Greenhouse gases - Iowa Department of Natural Resources recently released a report of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Total greenhouse gas emissions in Iowa reached 110.99 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents. The agriculture sector remains the highest emitter of greenhouse gases, 31% of the total. The agriculture, transportation, and industrial processes sectors increased overall emissions in 2024 compared to 2023. The emissions from power plants declined in 2024, as did the emissions from residential, commercial, and industrial fossil fuel use. The overall decline in emissions was 2.43%, for a total of 2.77 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents.
Learn about Our Environment
Book Discussion - Nature’s Best Hope by Doug Tallamy - Join us for an engaging community book discussion of Nature’s Best Hope by renowned ecologist Doug Tallamy. In this hopeful and empowering book, Tallamy explores how everyday actions, especially the way we manage our yards, parks, and shared spaces, can play a critical role in reversing biodiversity loss. This discussion will be held virtually on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM (Central).
Annual Meeting Sept. 26, 2026, Newton Arboretum, Newton, Iowa - Save the date
Lunch and Learns Fridays at noon, plus you can see the recordings afterwards
Plus
New Resources for Planning for the Future - See our new flyers on the basics of planned giving, Donor Advised Funds, Giving through an IRA and how to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution, and how an individual can designate support specifically to the Iowa Chapter.
Contribute to the Iowa Chapter
Volunteer for the Iowa Chapter
Calendar of events
