| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 75.93 |
| Liaison | Merry Rankin |
| Submission Date | Aug. 30, 2013 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Iowa State University
PAE-24: Sustainability Policy Advocacy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Merry
Rankin ISU Director of Sustainability Facilities Planning & Management |
Has the institution advocated for federal, state, and/or local public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability, including the issues, bills, and ordinances for or against which the institution has advocated:
The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, in collaboration with Iowa State University, advocates for potential local, state, or regional policies related to the enhanced sustainability of natural resources. In doing so, the Leopold Center also provides basic research or benchmark data analysis needed to help assess or implement possible new local or state policies and alternatives for Iowa. The center targets state agencies, conservation and natural resources partners, county boards of supervisors, cities/municipalities, the Iowa General Assembly, and the Iowa legal community. The center has the following outcomes:
Development and implementation of state and local policies that could increase the capacity of Iowa agriculture to meet water quality standards and water resource management goals. Ideas could include but are not limited to policies carried out by soil and water conservation districts, cities, counties, and municipalities, as well as state agencies and organizations with missions related to Iowa’s water resources.
Analysis of state and local agricultural policies and their impacts on economic, social, community and ecosystem health.
Assessment of short- and/or long-term effects of ongoing changes in land tenure and ownership of agricultural lands in Iowa; effects on production, land management decisions, ecosystem health and community economic and social structure.
Identification of ways to reduce barriers to farming entry for new, transitioning, underserved and minority farmers, along with incentives to adopt sustainable practices in their new operations.
In addition, Iowa State University was a strong advocate for the creation of the Iowa Power Fund. The Power Fund was created to be a tool for the State of Iowa, The Office of Energy Independence and the Power Fund Board to promote the goals of Iowa energy independence. Power Fund money is appropriated to the Office to provide financial assistance to entities conducting business, research, or programs in Iowa. Once created, Iowa State University was an advocate of continued funding for the program, and the university President sat on the Board of Directors.
The website URL where information about the institution’s advocacy efforts are available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Iowa Power Fund:
http://www.energy.iowa.gov/Power_Fund/PF_Board.html
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