Protecting the Environment

• Constitutional amendment would repeal I-Will

• Energy Bill has issues

CO2 Pipeline Update

• Carbon Pipeline Legislation

• Carbon Pipeline Opposition Lobby Day

Have Fun in March

• Family-Fun Antler Shed and Nature Scavenger Hunt Outing

Plus

• Welcome to Briana Kouma

• Lunch and Learns Fridays at noon

• Contribute to the Iowa Chapter

• Volunteer for the Iowa Chapter

• Experience an urban service and multi-sport adventure following the Chicago River this summer!

• Calendar of events

• To see the archive of previous Iowa Chapter newsletters

Welcome to Briana Kouma

My name is Briana Kouma, and I’m excited to join the Sierra Club’s Iowa Chapter as the new Conservation Program Coordinator. Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about environmental conservation and community engagement.

Most recently, I worked with Habitat for Humanity of Omaha where I secured funding to support affordable housing initiatives and managed solar and sustainability programs. In addition, I currently serve as President of Heron Haven, a small wetland sanctuary in Omaha, Nebraska, where I focus on habitat conservation and environmental education.

My love for the environment isn’t just professional—it’s personal. While I may not be an Iowa native, growing up in neighboring Nebraska has given me a deep understanding of the environmental challenges we face. Living along the Platte River, I saw firsthand how water quality, drought, and ecosystem changes impact farmers and communities. These experiences reinforced my belief that by working together, we can create lasting, positive change.

At the Sierra Club, I look forward to collaborating with our members and communities to advocate for policies and programs that protect our environment. I believe in the power of grassroots organizing and collective action to drive meaningful progress, and I’m excited to be part of this movement.

Constitutional amendment would repeal I-Will

Several Senators are trying to repeal the I-Will constitutional amendment and instead use the 3/8 cent sales tax for property tax relief for elementary and secondary schools.  The Sierra Club opposes this legislation.

In 2010, 63 percent of Iowa voters supported a constitutional amendment that created a Natural Resources & Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund (Trust) that is to be supported by a sales tax of 3/8 of one cent.  This trust fund is to be used “for the purposes of protecting and enhancing water quality and natural areas in this State including parks, trails, and fish and wildlife habitat, and conserving agricultural soils in this State.”  The amendment is also called I-Will or Sustainable Funding.

The constitutional amendment, the related sales tax increase, and the promises held in the state law have been sitting unimplemented.  It is waiting for the legislators to raise the sales tax.

Several legislators have introduced a bill that would repeal the Natural Resources & Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund from the constitution and replace it with a property tax relief trust fund.

• There would still be a 3/8 cent tax sales sales and it would also include the use taxes.  Sales taxes are paid when you go to a store and purchase goods and some services.  Use taxes are paid for internet sales.
• That money would replace funding for elementary and secondary education in each school district in Iowa, which is currently paid for with property taxes.
• It would lower the foundation property tax levy rate on an equal basis across the school districts.
• It would go into effect with the next sales and use tax increase.

This is the first of several steps in revising the constitution:

• 2025 and 2026 – both the Senate and the House would be required to pass the bill 
• 2026 election
• 2027 and 2028 - both the Senate and the House would be required to pass the same bill – same language
• 2028 - Would be placed on our ballots.  The public would be able to vote for or against the constitutional amendment

What you can do

• Ask the Senate State Government Committee members to oppose SJR6.  Their emails addresses are ken.rozenboom@legis.iowa.gov , jeff.reichman@legis.iowa.gov , cindy.winckler@legis.iowa.gov , kevin.alons@legis.iowa.gov , tony.bisignano@legis.iowa.gov , matt.blake@legis.iowa.gov , mike.bousselot@legis.iowa.gov , doug.campbell@legis.iowa.gov , claire.celsi@legis.iowa.gov , dawn.driscoll@legis.iowa.gov , jesse.green@legis.iowa.gov , dennis.guth@legis.iowa.gov , carrie.koelker@legis.iowa.gov , sandy.salmon@legis.iowa.gov , jason.schultz@legis.iowa.gov , art.staed@legis.iowa.gov , thomas.townsend@legis.iowa.gov , scott.webster@legis.iowa.gov , cherielynn.westrich@legis.iowa.gov
• Ask your state senator to oppose SJR6.  To look up your senate member, see www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/senate   or to find your legislators, see www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find

​Energy Bill has issues

The legislature is working on the Governor’s energy act.  The Sierra Club has major concerns about this legislation.  By concentrating on economic development, the legislation fails to address keeping power reasonably priced for the consumer. 

• The bill does not emphasize energy efficiency and demand response programs, which can provide some of the cheapest energy sources.

• Integrated resource planning – it is important for utilities to plan for future power generation to meet future needs.  But the bill restricts how members of the public and the Utilities Commission can weigh in on the plans.   

• Without careful consideration of future generation needs and the build out of power plants, the utilities could be left with assets that are not needed to supply power to Iowans.  That would result in large costs to consumers. 

• The bill advocates for the Right of First Refusal for building transmission lines.  Right of First Refusal allows new and expanded transmission lines to be built by companies already operating in the state, without a competitive bid from other companies that want to work in Iowa.  That may not result in the least cost to the customer.

• We oppose putting nuclear power plants in Iowa.  Nuclear power is some of the most expensive power that is generated which would be paid for by consumers and subsidized by the taxpayers.  It is not clean and it is not renewable.  Mining for uranium leaves behind large piles of toxic waste.  Uranium is not a renewable resource.  Spent nuclear fuel is radioactive, and thus, harmful to people for thousands of years.  There is no permanent repository for the spent fuel. 

• We oppose anaerobic digesters and the expansion of the confinement and open feedlot operations in the state.  With poor water quality in rivers, streams, and lakes across the state, impaired waters due to manure and nitrates in the water, and beaches that are flagged as unsafe for swimming due to contamination resulting from manure, we should not be advocating for more and larger livestock operations.

Lower energy rates, public oversight, and the clean energy transition matters to all of us and our families.

What you can do

• Ask your Representative  to oppose HSB123.  To look up your House member, see www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/house  and to find your legislators, see www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find
• Ask the Senate Commerce Committee to oppose SSB1112.  Their email addresses are mike.bousselot@legis.iowa.gov , carrie.koelker@legis.iowa.gov , izaah.knox@legis.iowa.gov , tony.bisignano@legis.iowa.gov , matt.blake@legis.iowa.gov , rocky.dewitt@legis.iowa.gov , adrian.dickey@legis.iowa.gov , dawn.driscoll@legis.iowa.gov , kerry.gruenhagen@legis.iowa.gov , mike.klimesh@legis.iowa.gov , janet.petersen@legis.iowa.gov , jeff.reichman@legis.iowa.gov , david.rowley@legis.iowa.gov , jason.schultz@legis.iowa.gov , annette.sweeney@legis.iowa.gov , sarah.trone.garriott@legis.iowa.gov , zach.wahls@legis.iowa.gov , kara.warme@legis.iowa.gov , scott.webster@legis.iowa.gov , dan.zumbach@legis.iowa.gov

Carbon Pipeline Legislation

There have been 27 pieces of legislation that address the carbon pipelines introduced in the 2025 legislative session.  That means we’ve been up at the capitol a lot this year and our hard work over the last four years is paying off.  We’ve made the carbon pipeline issue a top issue at the Statehouse.

Some of the bills address specific issues like requiring Iowa Utilities Commission members to attend hearings, requiring insurance and bonds, and repealing the survey law. One of the most important and meaningful bills introduced so far is SF92. SF92 is simple and gets straight to the point - it bans eminent domain for carbon pipelines on agricultural zoned land.  We need to make sure SF92 is brought up in every conversation so it doesn’t get lost in the shuffle.

Ask your state senator to support SF92 and to protect Iowa from Summit’s carbon pipeline.  To look up your senate member, see www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/senate   or to find your legislators, see www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find

Good carbon pipeline bills that have been introduced this session:

Bad Carbon pipeline bill that was introduced: 

Bill we’re still reviewing and monitoring:

Carbon Pipeline Opposition Lobby Day

Join us on Wednesday, March 5 at 9am at the Iowa State Capitol to help stop the Summit Carbon Pipeline.  Landowners and everyday Iowans have been lobbying at the capitol weekly for four years - it’s time for our legislators to pass a bill!  There have been 27 bills introduced this session and we need to make sure we get the strongest bill possible.

It is important that legislators hear from us - the voters - about how Summit’s pipeline will impact our land, our water, our safety and communities.  If you’re new to the issue, lobby day will be a great opportunity to learn and get involved in protecting Iowa from carbon capture scams. Please join us on March 5 to send a strong message that Iowa says NO to Summit’s carbon pipeline.

Carbon Pipeline Opposition Lobby Day

Wednesday, March 5, 2025 @ 9am

Iowa State Capitol

1007 E Grand Ave, Des Moines

Meet in the 1st Floor Rotunda

Wear Red!

Family-Fun Antler Shed and Nature Scavenger Hunt Outing

One of our favorite times to explore the outdoors is late winter/early spring.  There is so much to see in the forest in the winter before the greenery takes over and bugs are in full force.  And, in late February, bucks shed their antlers.  Join us at Sierra Club member Greg Nepstad's farm - Walnut Trail Farm - for a Nature Scavenger hunt to find shed antlers and more!

This is a family friendly event. There will be hiking involved so please be prepared with good shoes, long pants, and warm clothes. There are a couple golf carts for those who may not be able to hike, please let us know ahead of time for accommodations.  We have room for 25 people so please RSVP today. 

Hint, hint! We know there are a lot of antler sheds at Walnut Trail Farm.

Antler Shed and Nature Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, March 8, 1pm-4pm
Walnut Trail Farm, 2849 Walnut Trail, Stuart, IA
RSVP Today!
Weather Delay:  In the event of inclement weather, we will postpone until Saturday, March 15 at 1pm.  Please check the event page where you RSVP'ed and your email for weather delay changes.

Restroom facilities available on-site.

We hope to see you on Saturday, March 8 for a family-fun winter outing.

Lunch and Learns Fridays at noon

Fridays at noon, we do a Lunch and Learn livestream.  See us on Facebook at "Sierra Club Iowa Chapter".  These will be recorded so you can watch them anytime.  Topics will be selected based on what is happening during the week.  During the legislative session, we cover issues coming before the Iowa legislature.

In case you missed our past webinars and lunch and learn sessions, you can still see them.

Volunteer for the Iowa Chapter

Almost everything we do is done by volunteers like you.  If you would like to volunteer for the Iowa Chapter, please let us know by sending an E-mail to Iowa.chapter@sierraclub.org.  Or sign up by using the online form.  There are many opportunities for you to make a difference:

• making phone calls

• developing graphics for banners and flyers

• working on legislative issues

• working on elections

• fundraising

• organizing events

• joining an issue committee 

If you would like to join our legislative action team, sign up here.  Keep on top of what is happening at the Iowa legislature.  Be alerted when you should contact your legislators about pending legislation.

Photo: camping by Jess Mazour.

Sierra Club - working every day on Iowa’s environmental problems

Sierra Club is Iowa’s oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization.  Not only that, we are the best bet in the state for achieving bold solutions to Iowa’s environmental problems.

We work in the courts, before Iowa’s public agencies, and in the halls of the legislature.  The Iowa Chapter's effort to protect the environment takes financial support.  The Chapter receives very little financial support from the national Sierra Club.  Can we count on you for a donation to ensure even more victories?  Your contribution will be put to work here in Iowa on issues that affect every day Iowans – water quality, clean air, protection of Iowa's soil, parks and natural areas, and a strong democracy.  The Iowa Chapter is relentless in fighting back bad legislation that affects every one of us. 

Your non-deductible contributions make it possible for us to fight bad legislation and to promote good legislation.  We appreciate your past and on-going support of these efforts.  You can make a non-deductible donation with a credit card.   A non-deductible donation supports the Chapter's effective, citizen-based advocacy and lobbying programs.  If you prefer, a non-deductible check can be written to the Sierra Club Iowa Chapter and mailed to:

Treasurer
Sierra Club, Iowa Chapter
PO Box 1058
Marion, IA 52302

You can also make a tax-deductible donation with a credit card.  Tax-deductible activities are limited to public interest education, research and legal actions.  A deductible check can be written to the Sierra Club Foundation with “Iowa Chapter” written in the memo line.

Thank you for your support.

Donate your used vehicle

As the Sierra Club Foundation's Iowa Chapter continues to raise charitable funds to support its work in Iowa, won’t you consider participating in our vehicle donation program?  Our partners over at CARS have made the process of donating your unused or unneeded car, truck, motorcycle, boat or RV easy, efficient and secure.  They’ll take care of everything from picking up your vehicle to sending you a tax receipt for your generous gift.  To learn more about The Sierra Club Foundation's Iowa Chapter vehicle donation program, please call 844-674-3772.  Or visit our webpage to get started today!

Sierra Club Foundation promotes climate solutions, conservation, and movement building through a powerful combination of strategic philanthropy and grassroots advocacy. The Foundation is the fiscal sponsor of Sierra Club’s charitable environmental programs.

For more information 

Planned giving . . . naming the Sierra Club Iowa Chapter in your will 

Ensure your environmental legacy by naming the Iowa Chapter in your will or trust. These gifts cost you nothing now. You can hold onto your assets for as long as you need them.

Thank you for supporting our work!

Experience an urban service and multi-sport adventure following the Chicago River this summer!

July 13 to 19, spend a week in the city of Chicago exploring on the water in a kayak, canoe and on foot on miles of paved and unpaved trails that make up the Forest Preserves of Cook County and the Chicago Park District. Learn about future proof restoration work in the face of climate change while performing service with Friends of the Forest Preserves of Cook County on designated days.

At the end of each walk/water/work day, there’s time to discover art, architecture and world-renowned museums in a city of neighborhoods that represent a display of diversity, cultures and experiences.

Follow the River: Paddle, Play and Preservation in Chicago, Illinois is a Sierra Club adventure outing with a cause. Sign up at https://outings.sierraclub.org/trip-detail?id=25205A

Discover all Sierra Club outings at https://outings.sierraclub.org/