Environment Stories & News

Naomi Oreskes

World-renowned climate scientist and historian to speak at UNI

Naomi Oreskes, the world-renowned earth scientist, historian and co-author of the best-selling book, “Merchants of Doubt,” will speak at the University of Northern Iowa on Tuesday, April 7.
A group of seven people stand together in an airport, each with a suitcase or carry-on bag. They are smiling and posing for a photo. The individuals are diverse in appearance, and several are dressed in casual travel attire. The background shows a modern airport terminal with glass walls.

Making global connections

Two UNI Environmental Science students participated in an international water quality research program at the University of Yamanashi in Japan. The trip offered cultural immersion and reinforced the hands-on, collaborative learning opportunities that define UNI’s Environmental Science program.
Baskets of vegetables on a red gingham tablecloth.

UNI Veggie Vouchers program surpasses goal

The University of Northern Iowa’s Veggie Vouchers Program surpassed its $10,000 fundraising goal in 2025, raising $10,180 to support healthy food access in the Cedar Valley.
Jennifer Trent leads a compost training

Midwest rural communities recipient of compost training program

The Iowa Waste Reduction Center  (IWRC) at the University of Northern Iowa is launching the Rural Compost Operations and Compost Use Training Project funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service Solid Waste Management Grant Program.
Battery-powered mowers lined up on campus.

UNI grounds crew sees benefits in shift to battery-powered equipment

The University of Northern Iowa is using more electric-powered equipment, and seeing several benefits including less noise, lower costs and safety.
Student cleaning up trash on UNI campus with purple bag

Take the purple bag challenge this Earth Day

‌UNI Facilities Management is teaming up with the Iowa Waste Reduction Center, the Student Sustainability Advisory Board, and students in the Introduction to Environmental Earth Science class to launch a new Earth Day initiative: the Purple Bag Challenge.
University of Northern Iowa faculty holding the Tree Campus USA Award.

UNI receives Tree Campus USA Award

University of Northern Iowa was recently honored with the 2024 Tree Campus USA Award at the Annual Community Forestry Awards Luncheon in Ankeny.
Ashley Coffin & Kamyar Enshayan

Science into action

Longtime Center for Energy & Environmental Education director passes torch to new leadership
Paha Cider awarded gold level certification from the Iowa Green Brewery Certification in January 2024.

Iowa Waste Reduction Center Receives $175,159 P2 Grant to enhance brewery pollution prevention programs

The Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC) at the University of Northern Iowa is excited to announce the receipt of a $175,159 Pollution Prevention (P2) Grant funded by the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Pollution Prevention Grant Program.
Kamyar Enshayan and Ashley Coffin

UNI Center for Energy & Environmental Education names new director

In 2025, Kamyar Enshayan will officially pass the torch of leading UNI's Center for Energy & Environmental Education to Ashley Coffin.