The public is invited to watch a “good news” story and learn from a Clear Laker who helped make it happen with the “Return of the Trumpeters” movie at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Clear Lake Public Library.

The majestic trumpeter swan, North America’s largest waterfowl, was once hunted to the brink of extinction. But thanks to the efforts of people like Andrews, we can witness one of the greatest conservation success stories of our time.

Andrews was named this year to the Iowa chapter of The Wildlife Society Conservation Hall of Fame for his impactful work on numerous wildlife and conservation projects in Iowa and throughout the Midwest.

Andrews will be featured in a question-and-answer session following the one-hour documentary. It is part of Clear Lake Earth Days events and was rescheduled because of an impending storm. The session is free and open to the public.

It’s almost time to celebrate the home we all share.

And there are many ways to have fun with friends and family, learn, live healthier lives and make a positive difference at Clear Lake Earth Days this year.

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, all events are free and open to the public.

Recycle Your Outdoor Play Equipment and Toys – Donation boxes now available

Help North Iowa kids enjoy games and toys outdoors (and clean some items out of your garage at the same time 😊). Just drop off your clean, gently used basketballs, yard games, sand toys, soccer balls etc. at the following public locations: Clear Lake Public Library, Clear Lake Athletic and Wellness Center, the Ventura Public Library. Students at the Clear Lake Middle School and Clear Lake High School are also collecting equipment to be available to families at the OutdoorFest on Saturday, April 26, in Clear Lake City Park.

Earth Day Photo Contest – Earth Through the Lens

The public is invited to soon view and vote on the submitted entries at the Clear Lake Arts Center, 17 S. 4th Street. Monetary prizes will be awarded to winning photographers, based on your votes. And everyone is invited to join the reception on April 25 at the Clear Lake Arts Center.

Landfill of North Iowa Tours and Education on Wednesday April 16

Consider this a time when “trash talk” is important to hear! Discover the innovative ways our landfill contributes to a sustainable region through an educational bus tour, offered at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Call to reserve your spot at 641-357-5452 ext. 5. 15942 Kildeer Ave., Clear Lake.

Book Chats

You’ll gain a new perspective on the natural world while discussing Lab Girl by Hope Jahren. Be sure to join the book chats, which will happen at noon on Tuesday April 15 at the Clear Lake Public Library or Books on Tap at 6 p.m. on Wednesday April 16 at Lake Time Brewery.

5K/10K and Youth Mile Races: Saturday, April 19 at City Park in Clear Lake

Let’s get moving with North Iowa’s popular spring race!

Kick off the 2025 racing season with Clear Lake’s Earth Day Youth Mile, 5K & 10K races on Saturday, April 19th. The Youth Mile will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K & 10K races will begin at 9 a.m. Youth Mile participants will make 3 loops around City Park, finishing by the seawall.

The 5K & 10K races begin lakeside at the Main Avenue boat ramp. Runners will make one loop around City Park before heading out along South Shore Drive. Once runners reach the designated 5K or 10K turnaround, they’ll head back toward City Park, turning left at Main Avenue to finish in front of the Lady of the Lake.

For more info, Clear Lake Earth Day Youth Mile, 5K & 10K Races

Trash Bash Community Cleanup

Make a visible difference in the community by picking up trash in your neighborhood, near main-traveled entryways to the city and public spaces from April 21-26. Individuals, families, and groups can register for the areas your team would like to choose at https://earthdayclearlake.org/events/trashbash/#Register. And vie to win the treasured “Green Jacket” by collecting the most trash and recruiting the most volunteers. Garbage bags are available at the Clear Lake Chamber and at City Park at the OutdoorFest on April 26.

International Earth Day:

Celebrate the 55th anniversary of Earth Day with an estimated over 1 billion people who care for the place we all call home. Learn how each of us can make a positive difference for today’s and our future generations. Earth Day 2025 | Activities & Resources for April 22 – Earth Day

For the Lake’s Sake 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 23

Learn firsthand from experts about North Iowa’s most important natural resource. Topics will include discussion about how to manage curly leaf pondweed; ongoing research regarding zebra mussels; the impact of Eurasian Watermilfoil in Clear Lake and the treatment plan to mitigate it. Bring your family and friends to the Clear Lake Public Library to learn more learn more.

North Iowa Green Expo and Farmers Market

This free public event is a perennial favorite! It’s all about your and North Iowa’s wellness, saving your green $, connecting with others, healthy food to purchase and some food samples. For more information, to North Iowa Green Expo and Farmer’s Market 2025 | Earth Day Clear Lake. 4-7 p.m. Thursday April 24 at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake

Night Wonder Walk:

What goes on in our natural world after the sun goes down? Join local naturalist Cindy Findley for a short hike on Friday, April 25 at 8:00 pm. at 2902 235th St., south of Ventura. We will reconnect with the sights, sounds, and smells of evening and learn about nocturnal animals, stargazing, light pollution, and other nighttime wonders. Everyone is welcome to this fun event, but children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Please be prepared for a short walk on uneven terrain. Bring a small flashlight (one with red light is best!) and an adventurous spirit. The event will be held rain or shine (under cover if raining).

OutdoorFest

Games, a bounce house, disc golf lesson, crafts activities, food truck to fill your tummies, gaga ball, Gaga ball, Go Wild parade and a shredding truck from 10 a.m. to noon to shred those important documents you no longer need. And more!!! Open to everyone to get outside and play and make fun memories with your family and friends. Be sure to check out the gently recycled outdoor equipment and toys that can be taken home and enjoyed by your family.

10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, April 26 City Park

Return of the Trumpeters:

A Special Showing at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 28 @ the Clear Lake Public Library

The majestic trumpeter swan is North America’s largest waterfowl, one hunted to the brink of extinction. Here is a chance to experience one of the greatest conservation success stories of our time. (60 minutes run time) A Q & A session featuring Clear Lake’s Own Ron Andrews will follow. He helped restore trumpeter swans to Iowa in one of the greatest conservation success stories of our time. Ron recently was named to The Iowa Wildlife Society’s Conservation Hall of Fame.

Major sponsors for Clear Lake Earth Days events include: the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, Clear Lake Bank and Trust, Curries/Assa Abloy, Hanson Family Foundation, CL Tel, Kingland and McKesson.

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service has officially terminated the second round of the Local Food for Schools and Child Care (LFSCC) program, effective May 6

by Julie Udelhofen, Food Service Director for Clear Lake Community Schools

Local food is the gateway to much more than just what’s on the plate. At Clear Lake Community School District, we’ve seen firsthand how integrating local food into our school meals has transformed not only our menus but also our relationships, workforce and students’ understanding of nutrition. And we are not alone—many school nutrition directors across Iowa have embarked on similar journeys.

With the support of Local Food for Schools (LFS) funding, we began purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables through the Iowa Food Hub. Over time, we expanded our efforts, buying directly from local farmers and strengthening our community’s economy. Unlike big-box suppliers, these farmers offer a diverse array of foods, introducing new flavors and textures to our students.

Working with local producers has required us to navigate unique challenges—coordinating delivery times, ensuring proper documentation and managing school-sized quantities. These relationships have been invaluable, reinforcing a deeper understanding of where our food comes from.

Introducing fresh, locally grown ingredients meant re-training our staff in scratch cooking. We invested in professional development, learning new techniques and experimenting with spices to make these ingredients shine. As we brought unfamiliar foods to our menus, we realized the importance of student education. We displayed information about the farmers who grew their food, trained staff on nutrition so they could talk to students about healthy eating, and made taste testing a structured part of our process.

The impact has been remarkable. Our team has grown in confidence, skill and job satisfaction. Our students are learning not just to recognize and enjoy fresh foods but also to develop lifelong healthy eating habits. By increasing nutrient-dense, whole foods, we have phased out processed, manufactured products filled with unidentifiable ingredients. We know that what we feed our students today influences their health for years to come—leading to fewer medical issues and lower healthcare costs in the long run.

Our next goal was to incorporate local meat into our program by the 2025-26 school year. But with the elimination of LFS funding, that vision has come to a halt. The loss of this investment in school meals threatens the momentum we’ve built and forces us back into a system that prioritizes cost over quality. School food budgets are tight, and without financial support, I cannot justify the higher costs of fresh, local meats, vegetables and fruits.

Local food isn’t just about what ends up on a lunch tray—it’s about strengthening the connections between farmers, students, schools, and communities. It could have signaled a return to diverse, sustainable Iowa family farms rather than the continued consolidation of agriculture by large corporations. But with this funding cut, it’s clear that our current administration does not see the health and well-being of our children as a priority.

We must do better. Our students—and our communities—deserve it.

Clear Laker Ron is a member of the Clear Lake Earth Day Committee

Ron Andrews graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology in 1967. After a short temporary stint with the USFWS, Ron began working for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), formerly the Iowa Conservation Commission, as their Furbearer Resource Specialist. During Ron’s tenure, he spearheaded several major studies, including “Movements and Mortality Studies of Red Fox, Coyote and Sheep Interactions in Southern Iowa,” “Raccoon Population Dynamics in an Exploited Raccoon Population,” “Impacts of Nest of Nest Predators on Upland Nesting Waterfowl and Nongame,” “River Otter Restoration and Monitoring,” “Pioneer Study on the Use of Nesting Boxes Places on Interstate Signs by American Kestrels,” “Restraining Trap Testing of Iowa Raccoon” and “Trumpeter Swan Restoration in Iowa.” Several scientific and popular publications were authored and co-authored by Andrews, including “Wildlife Monograph No. 49” and a popular book on “The Red Fox in Iowa.”

Ron was with the Iowa DNR for 43 years. In addition to being involved with the aforementioned wildlife projects, he dealt with plenty of controversial topics related to furharvest regulations during years when furs were worth a lot.

Ron found it interesting that often times hunters, trappers (the consumers of the resource) were in conflict with the bird waters and other wildlife watchers (the non-consumers of the resource). His slogan for those situations was that “Habitat is the Connecting Link” between groups. Don’t quibble about petty things but focus on securing, protecting, managing wildlife habitat and both the consumptive and non-game species will all reap benefits from the results.

He helped the DNR establish two new regulated harvest seasons — one on River Otters and one on Bobcats. Ron was the contact person who attempted to determine the validity of the many reported Mountain Lion sightings in the state.

Ron always maintained a positive attitude and great sense of humor with work. He especially liked corny jokes and sayings. For example, Ron helped come up with catchy slogans for otter and trumpeter swan restoration.

• “They Otter be in Iowa”
• “Trumpeting the Cause for Wetland”
• “Cat’n around for Conservation” (Mountain Lions)
• “Whooping it up in the Wetlands” (Cranes)

Check out the “Return of the Trumpeters” documentary currently airing on Iowa PBS or stream online.

Ron has a passion for the resource and a “can-do, never give up attitude.” Combined with grit, perseverance and a true heart tat led to so many successes with the public and natural resources. And whenever things got tricky with work — and perhaps Ron go in “hot-water” a time or two — his saying was “the crazier, the better!”

Ron indicated that he would not have been able to accomplish all the things he did without the support of his wife, Martha, son, Tony, and his family, and his daughter, Tracy, and her family. He also said that he is indebted to the overwhelming support of a diverse and passionate group of outdoor enthusiasts. Iowa DNR personnel, Dave Hoffman and Vince Evelsizer and man other in-state and out-of-state professionals helped him as well.

Ron, a heartfelt thank you for your unwavering dedication and invaluable contributions throughout your career. Your leadership, expertise and positive spirit have left a lasting impact on our state — on behalf of all of us with TWS, you deserve this!