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Nebraska Community Develops Sustainable Plans for Old Factory Site

As part of its efforts to redeploy already developed, but no longer utilized, land, Region 7 of the United States Environmental Protection Agency worked with the Wichita State University Environmental Finance Center and the environmental nonprofit Delta Institute to develop a reuse plan for several acres of leftover concrete slabs and associated concrete foundations at an old factory site in Nebraska.

Assistance with USDA Rural Development Environmental Reports

Communities and organizations in rural areas often seek funding for important construction projects from the United States Department of Agriculture – Rural Development. This funding assists with construction of infrastructure and community facilities. Communities and organizations are able to secure long-term, secure funding, that may not be available otherwise. Projects built with these funds include nursing homes, hospitals, community facilities and utility infrastructure.

WSU helping to ensure safe drinking water in schools

Did you know that exposure to lead can cause behavioral problems, hyperactivity and even be fatal to humans? Did you know that children are very susceptible to lead poisoning, particularly children ages 6 and younger? These are some of the reasons why the Wichita State University Environmental Finance Center is testing for lead in the drinking water of tribal schools and childcare facilities in Kansas and surrounding states. The efforts are funded by EPA.

What is Food Rescue?

According to the National Resources Defense Council, up to 40% of all food in the United States goes uneaten and unused and 1 in 8 people struggle to put food on the table. The USDA estimates that this wasted food costs $161 million annually. Organizations, like Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue in Omaha, Nebraska, are working to shrink these numbers by gathering food that would otherwise be wasted and providing it to hungry people.

City of El Dorado’s Wetlands and Water Reclamation facility, an award-winning wastewater treatment plant with an average daily flow of about 2 million gallons.

Cheers to a Productive New Year

grassy field with large crack in soil with transparent word

Five Radon Facts for Radon Action Month

You can’t see radon, and you can’t smell it or taste it. But, radon, also known as “the silent killer,” could be present in your home at dangerous levels. Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally in soil. Outdoors, radon levels are low because they are diluted. Inside, radon enters homes and buildings from the soil through cracks in concrete floors and walls, floor drains, sump pits, etc. Indoor radon levels can build up over time, increasing the risk of developing lung cancer from prolonged exposure to breathing air with elevated radon levels. EPA has designated January as National Radon Action Month. Read on for five facts about radon and how you can take radon action this year.

beer bottle being thrown into a recycling bin full of glass bottles and jars

The Ripple Effect of Glass Recycling in the Midwest

Before 2009, Kansas City had virtually no glass recycling. Recycling glass is important because it is 100% recyclable. It can be recycled endlessly, unlike a lot of other recycled materials. Using recycled glass in manufacturing can reduce CO2 and help reduce energy costs. So why wasn’t glass being recycled in Kansas City? Fast forward to 2009 when the people behind Boulevard Brewing Company wanted to find a way to reduce the amount of glass waste in Kansas City.

Dr. Brian Bohnsack (right) works with a team of researchers to collect blue-green algae samples from Marion Reservoir in Kansas.

Hazardous Algae Blooms- A Global Phenomena, A Global Problem

Did you know Kansas is not unique to having hazardous algae blooms (HABs)? HABs are a global phenomena that occur in both fresh and salt water. They can occur at any time, even when lakes and water bodies are frozen over! They come in different types. In saltwater environments, the most common type is red tide. The type of most concern and most common in fresh water is blue-green algae bloom. Blue-green algae blooms have been reported in almost all 50 states, including all the way north to Alaska and south to Florida.

Vilander Bluff Overlook at Onondaga State Park in Bourbon, MO

Are Watershed Restoration Projects Worth It? A Comparison of Costs and Benefits of Flood Reduction Projects in the Meramec Watershed

In the Lower Meramec Watershed in East-Central Missouri, civic leaders and city staff were facing difficult decisions about how to prevent flooding, loss of life, decreased property values and other community losses while continuing to respect quality of life, property rights and community cohesiveness.