Confession: I’m not a perfect “green” mom

This winter, my daughter and I built Lego sets together, trying to entertain ourselves during the many, many snowy weekends.

For our latest project, I noticed that the Lego bricks were packed in recyclable paper instead of the usual plastic bags.

Of course, the Legos themselves were still made of plastic that can’t be recycled. But I appreciate even a small change to be more sustainable.

These Legos got me thinking about the trade-offs we make every day. Yes, we want to be environmentally responsible consumers. But we also rely on plastics for important uses like health care and safety. And sometimes, we need a simple toy that gives tired parents a break.

In this issue of the Iowa Dish, we recognize Earth Day on April 22 by offering simple, realistic tips for how you can help the environment, while also saving money. (I promise, there’s no guilt involved!)

Families can make small changes at home, and farmers are doing their part, too – because they drink the same water and raise their kids here in Iowa.

We share one encouraging sign of water quality progress: Trumpeter swans are making a remarkable comeback thanks in part to new wetlands built by Iowa farmers and landowners. You can expect to see more trumpeter swans as you drive across the state, just like we’re seeing a resurgence in bald eagles.

I hope you get a chance to enjoy the spring weather and all the bird watching and other outdoor recreation Iowa has to offer. Maybe you’ll spot a trumpeter swan, too!

Take care,

Teresa Bjork
Editor, The Iowa Dish

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Learn more about author Teresa Bjork here.