A community‑powered approach to healthier neighborhoods

Across Iowa, more residents are choosing to care for their yards in ways that protect kids, pets, pollinators, and our environment. At the heart of this shift is a simple idea: when neighbors look out for each other, small individual actions can create big community change.

Good Neighbor Iowa is a statewide educational initiative that encourages individuals, schools, and communities to reduce unnecessary pesticide use and create healthier outdoor spaces for everyone.

A key part of this effort is the network of Local Champions across the state. These are everyday Iowans who share resources, answer questions, and start friendly conversations about safer lawn‑care practices in their community. Their work shows that meaningful environmental change doesn’t need to come from a big agency or a laboratory; it can begin with a short conversation across a fence line.

In Cedar Rapids, spaces like Morgan Creek Park and Noelridge Park serve as a reminder of the value of clean, healthy outdoor environments. Choosing pesticide‑free practices in your own yard helps protect the very places the community enjoys most, since chemicals applied at home can be carried by the wind or wash into storm drains, eventually impacting neighborhood parks, rivers, and pollinator habitats.

I encourage residents to consider taking the Good Neighbor Iowa pledge or learning more about becoming a Local Champion at Goodneighboriowa.org. When we support each other in creating healthier outdoor spaces, the benefits ripple far beyond our own backyards.

Jordan Holloway

Cedar Falls