February 18, 2004
Gov. Tom Vilsack Monday (Feb. 16) presented the 2003 Iowa Environmental Excellence Awards at a ceremony in Des Moines. An Iowa State University agricultural engineer and an Iowa State entomologist were among those honored.
James Baker, University Professor in agricultural and biosystems engineering, received the Iowa Environmental Excellence Award in the water quality division.
During his 30-year career at Iowa State, Baker has made major contributions through research and teaching to reducing the impact of agricultural chemicals on soil and water quality. He is recognized internationally as an authority on water quality and environmental chemistry.
In 1975, Baker was one of the leaders in developing a project funded by the Environmental Protection Agency to monitor surface and subsurface water quality in the Four Mile Creek Watershed in Tama County. The data collected from this project provided important initial insight into water quality issues related to row-crop farming in Iowa.
Following this project, Baker initiated other research to study the relationships between chemicals, water, soils and crops. His work helped build a solid base of science that has been used to develop practical solutions farmers can adopt to minimize the impact of agricultural production on water quality.
For instance, Baker's research showed more accurate application of nitrogen in manure and fertilizers with respect to appropriate placement, timing and rates can improve crop uptake efficiency and reduce nitrate leaching. He also was part of a team of ISU scientists and Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship personnel who generated the knowledge behind the development of a state-federal program to create wetlands to reduce nitrate transport.
The West Des Moines Community School District was honored in both the environmental excellence and waste management categories. Mark Shour, ISU Extension program specialist in entomology, was a part of the team that received these awards.
Shour taught a one-week course last summer on integrated pest management (IPM) that was attended by all custodians in the district. The goal was to shift the district away from having all school buildings treated monthly with pesticides to a plan that involves scouting and identifying pests and then taking corrective action as needed. District personnel learned that pesticides are only one of several management techniques when dealing with pests.
Besides the formal training, Shour worked with district administrators to obtain an Environmental Protection Agency environmental education grant for the project and helped develop a new bidding process for IPM by outside vendors. It is anticipated the school district will cut its pesticide use by 50 percent under the new pest management system. Shour has provided similar assistance to six other Iowa school districts.
Given annually, the Governor's Iowa Environmental Excellence Awards are designed to recognize leadership and innovation in managing Iowa's natural resources.