Environmental Health Program
Highlighting upstream solutions to protect children, climate, and health.
The Environmental Health Program at the CEEE highlights upstream solutions that protect children, climate, and health, as well as raises awareness about the link between harmful chemicals and their impacts to both people and climate. Our initiatives focus on community practices and state strategies that significantly reduce Iowan’s exposure to common hazardous pollutants. We work with school boards, grounds staff, park managers, child care centers, our network of Local Champions, and others to significantly reduce pesticide use in public spaces. We also coordinate with state organizations and national partners to highlight the practical, land-based farming solutions that build soil, improve water quality, reduce (and in some cases eliminate) pesticide application, strengthen Iowa’s economy, and improve biodiversity - all without impacting long-term agricultural profitability.
Save the Date!
Environmental Health Student Symposium
Activating the Precautionary Principle for a Healthier Future
October 29th, 2025
8:30am - 3:00pm
Maucker Union Ballroom, University of Northern Iowa
Contact: Brittany Latch, CEEE Environmental Health Program Associate | brittany.latch@uni.edu
View our Event Flyer
- Agenda
8:30-9:00 Check-in/Light Refreshments
9:00-9:15 Welcome/Introduction
9:15-10:15 Keynote: Carolyn Raffensperger, MA, JD
Executive Director of the Science and Environmental Health Network
10:15-10:30 Break + Group Picture
10:30-11:15 Speaker: David Cwiertny, PhD
William D. Ashton Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Iowa
11:15-11:45 Break + Mini Grant Poster Session
11:45-12:30 Lunch + Mini Grant Poster Session
12:30-1:00 Student Presentations
1:00-1:15 Break
1:15-2:45 Networking Panel & Break-outs
Gina Bell, Sustainability Director, City of Dubuque
Dana Kolpin, MS. Research Hydrologist, Central Midwest Water Science Center
Jared Parmater, MS, REHS-RS. Environmental Health Program Manager, Black Hawk County Health Department
Caroline Powell, Environmental Outreach Coordinator, Iowa Cancer Consortium
2:45-3:00 Wrap-Up/ConclusionLunch will be provided.
Stay tuned for details to register!
Good Neighbor Iowa
Good Neighbor Iowa aims to reduce unnecessary urban pesticide use and to transform lawn culture to encourage appreciation of diverse lawns as a way to protect child health, water quality, pets, pollinators, and biodiversity. Good Neighbor Iowa is a state-wide public health initiative.
Farming for Public Health
A statewide initiative to build more understanding among healthcare providers and public health professionals about agricultural strategies that solve for a pattern of soil health, clean water, biodiversity, conservation, healthy food, rural economic vitality - collectively, public health.
Climate, Toxics, and Health
Many chemicals found in our everyday life are known to impact hormone functioning in our bodies. These chemicals are called Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals, or EDCs. The Endocrine Society describes the broad impact of these chemicals as “profound and life threatening.” Learn how you can detoxify your life and reduce your carbon footprint!