Iowa legislature

• Pipeline Events at the Capitol

• Bottle Deposit Law

• Water Sensors

Plus

• Book Discussion - Nature’s Best Hope by Doug Tallamy

• Annual Meeting Sept. 26, 2026, Newton Arboretum, Newton, Iowa - Save the date

• Lunch and Learns Fridays at noon

• Contribute to the Iowa Chapter

• Volunteer for the Iowa Chapter

• Calendar of events

• To see the archive of previous Iowa Chapter newsletters

Pipeline Events at the Capitol

Over the last four years, we’ve made tremendous progress at the State Capitol to lift up carbon pipeline issues and push for legislation that protects Iowa and Iowans’ property rights.  Last year, our legislation (HF639) passed out of the House with 85% and out of the Senate with 54% -- and then Governor Reynolds went against Iowans and the legislature and vetoed the bill.  

We are not going away, we need to show up in force this session and make sure our legislation passes.  We’ve been meeting with legislators for the last two months to gather information about Summit’s plans and be ready with our plans.  

Summit is trying to convince legislators that we need their carbon pipeline to save ethanol and create jobs.  We know that neither of those things are true.  The risks to our water, land, safety, and property rights far outweigh any supposed benefits to ethanol and jobs.

Join us at the capitol in 2026 to lobby, learn and make an impact.  Mark your calendar for these dates and we’ll send more details soon:

Tuesday, January 13 @ 12pm - Kickoff Lobby and Rally Day + Lobby Training

Wednesday, January 21 @ 9am - IUC Monthly Meeting and Lobby Day

Wednesday, January 28 @ 1pm - Lobby Day

Tuesday, February 10 @ 12pm - Lobby and Rally Day

Wednesday, February 18 @ 9am - IUC Monthly Meeting and Lobby Day

Tuesday, March 10 @ 12pm - Lobby and Rally Day

Wednesday, March 18 @ 9am - IUC Monthly Meeting and Lobby Day

Photo of pipeline rally at the capitol

Bottle Deposit Law

In 2022, Governor Reynolds signed changes to the Iowa Bottle Deposit Program into law.  The changes included increasing the handling fee paid by distributors to redemption centers, which Sierra Club Iowa Chapter supported.  However, the bill also allowed retailers the ability to refuse to participate in the program altogether, making it harder for Iowans to participate in the program.

The Legislative Fiscal Committee, which last met in 2019, is required to hold a meeting to review how the changes have affected the program and submit a report to the legislature by the start of the 2026 legislative session. It is now the middle of December and, the committee has not scheduled a meeting to review the bottle deposit changes, as required by law.

Ask the members of the Fiscal Committee to schedule the meeting to review the bottle deposit law.  Members of Fiscal Committee can be contacted via email sent to tim.kraayenbrink@legis.iowa.gov ,  gary.mohr@legis.iowa.gov , tony.bisignano@legis.iowa.gov , dan.dawson@legis.iowa.gov , janet.petersen@legis.iowa.gov , dan.zumbach@legis.iowa.gov ,  timi.brown-powers@legis.iowa.gov ,  david.jacoby@legis.iowa.gov ,  shannon.latham@legis.iowa.gov , carter.nordman@legis.iowa.gov

The Fiscal Committee is required to review:

• the enforcement of chapter 455C by the department of natural resources, including the collection of civil penalties

• the report submitted by the attorney general 

• whether and how many redemption centers have been approved by the department of natural resources

• the adequacy of the reimbursement amount under section 455C.2, and 

• any other information the committee deems important. 

“We want to expand the Bottle Redemption Program and make it more accessible. We hope the Legislative Fiscal Committee will hold their meeting soon so we can get to work improving the popular and important program. It’s time to schedule the meeting now so they can do a thorough review and not violate Iowa law.” said Jess Mazour, Sierra Club Iowa Chapter Conservation Program Associate.

Water Sensors

Top of many of our minds is the need to improve Iowa's water quality.  Iowans want to see improvements - fewer beaches contaminated with E coli and microcystin toxins, fewer waters impaired with pollutants, and fewer incidents of large releases of manure and other pollutants into our water bodies. 

Unfortunately, without an infusion of $600,000 to support the water sensor network, 60 sensors that measure nitrate and nitrate pollution in Iowa's waterbodies will go silent.  In 2023, Iowa's legislature withdrew financial support for the sensor network and interim funding support is ending in 2026.

Ask your legislators to support funding Iowa's water sensor network.  

• To look up your House member, see www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/house   

• To look up your Senate member, see www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/senate    

• To find your legislators, see www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find

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).  RSVP here and we will send you the link.

We encourage participants to check out the book from their local library. Our discussion will focus on the 2019 edition of Nature’s Best Hope.  A 2023 version is also available and is especially well-suited for children and younger readers.

Together, we’ll discuss key themes from the book, share ideas for creating habitat at home and in our communities, and talk about practical steps we can take to support birds, pollinators, and other wildlife.  Whether you’ve read the entire book, just started, or are simply curious about how people can be part of the conservation solution, all are welcome.

Come ready for thoughtful conversation, connection, and inspiration.  RSVP here

Photo of blue heron by Tom Reardon

Annual Meeting Sept. 26, 2026

Save the date.  The Iowa Chapter annual meeting will be on September 26, 2026, at the Newton Arboretum in Newton, Iowa.  We will have an exciting program of speakers plus a guided tour of the arboretum.  We plan to have an excellent meal, prepared by a local caterer. 

We'll see you in Newton on Saturday, September 26, 2026!

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 on YouTube.  

• Carbon Pipeline Court Updates, December 12, 2025

• Update on Duane Arnold Nuclear Plant Restart, November 21, 2025

• Review the "Iowa Bottle Redemption Program Changes", November 14, 2025

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!