Sparrows to doves, mockingbirds to magpies, every bird that visits your backyard this season will bring its unique brand of delight. Yet when a particularly colorful species shows up, you can't help but feel a special thrill at the beauty of their plumage and song. You can take steps to draw the most colorful species to your feeder and fill your backyard with their vibrant, bright displays throughout the season.

First, research what types of birds live in your region. Some species may summer in your area and then winter elsewhere. Some may arrive in spring to breed and raise young, only to move on as fall approaches. Online resources such as the Audubon Society's bird guide can help you identify the colorful species that may be found in your area this summer. Next, take action to make your backyard attractive to the birds you want to attract. Provide their preferred nesting habitat, plenty of fresh, clean water and a reliable supply of their favorite foods in a style feeder they favor.

The bird-feeding experts at Cole's Wild Bird Products offer some expert tips on common colorful birds found throughout North America and the types of bird feed they prefer:

* Cardinals - Among the best-known and most-loved backyard beauties, cardinals vary in hue from the brilliant red plumage of the males to the more subdued brownish red feathers of females. Both genders have black markings around the beak and darker feathers on the wings and back. Cardinals are seed eaters and are particularly fond of Safflower and Cole's patented blend, "Hot Meats," seed. They are attracted to the bitter taste of Safflower and go nuts for the spicy flavor of Hot Meats.  Hot Meats are nutritious sunflower meats infused with fiery hot habanero chilies. A great no-waste, no-mess feed, it delivers more feed per pound, and no need for under-the-feeder cleanup. The chili peppers taste hot to mammals like squirrels, but birds do not feel the heat at all. Cardinals also appreciate suet, so be sure to serve this high-energy food in different varieties throughout your back yard.

* Bluebirds - Don't mistake the sassy blue jay for a bluebird. These brightly colored birds sport brilliant blue feathers on their heads, backs and the tops of their wings, and warm russet fading to white on their bellies. Bluebirds stand out not only for their beauty, but also for their taste in feed. Bluebirds love spice and suet, so try a feed with some kick, like Blazing Hot Blend. All natural and chemical free, this blend combines a patented habanero chili oil formula (which appeals to birds but keeps squirrels at bay) with the most-preferred types of seeds. Bluebirds love every form of suet, so serve up Hot Meats Suet cakes, or a specialty suet like Suet Kibbles. They also favor mealworms, so to avoid the "ick factor" of serving live mealworms, try Cole's dried mealworm version.

* Goldfinches - When one of these bright yellow and black birds visits your yard, it's like a slice of sunshine has settled at your feeder. With vivid yellow bodies, black masks above their beaks and black and white striping on their wings, goldfinches are among the flashiest, most vivid visitors to backyards. Lure them with sunflower, and niger seeds, or try Finch Friends which combines their two favorite seeds in one mix.

Indigo bunting - Another beautiful blue bird, the indigo bunting is also known for its boisterous and lovely song. Indigo buntings favor seeds and berries, but will also eat insects. To beckon this bunting to your backyard, try serving White Millet, a favorite seed choice.

* Baltimore orioles - That blaze of brilliant orange, capped by black may herald the arrival of a Baltimore oriole in your backyard. Woo these flashy fellows by serving cut fruit and berries, as well as peanut butter and suet. Cole's Natural Peanut Suet Cake delivers the peanut butter base that orioles and other song birds prefer, paired with the energy benefits of nutrient-dense suet. An interesting fact is orioles will try and feed off of hummingbird feeders, they like the nectar!

To attract the maximum number and variety of colorful birds, be sure to provide a range of feed types served in a variety of feeder styles, including tubular feeders for seeds, bowl feeders for fruits, berries and nuts, and hummingbird feeders for nectar drinkers.

Does not create any new permitting requirements and maintains all previous exemptions and exclusions

Washington - In an historic step for the protection of clean water, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army finalized the Clean Water Rule today to clearly protect from pollution and degradation the streams and wetlands that form the foundation of the nation's water resources.

The rule ensures that waters protected under the Clean Water Act are more precisely defined and predictably determined, making permitting less costly, easier, and faster for businesses and industry. The rule is grounded in law and the latest science, and is shaped by public input. The rule does not create any new permitting requirements for agriculture and maintains all previous exemptions and exclusions.

"For the water in the rivers and lakes in our communities that flow to our drinking water to be clean, the streams and wetlands that feed them need to be clean too," said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. "Protecting our water sources is a critical component of adapting to climate change impacts like drought, sea level rise, stronger storms, and warmer temperatures - which is why EPA and the Army have finalized the Clean Water Rule to protect these important waters, so we can strengthen our economy and provide certainty to American businesses."

"Today's rule marks the beginning of a new era in the history of the Clean Water Act," said Assistant Secretary for the Army (Civil Works) Jo-Ellen Darcy. "This rule responds to the public's demand for greater clarity, consistency, and predictability when making jurisdictional determinations. The result will be better public service nationwide."

People need clean water for their health: About 117 million Americans - one in three people - get drinking water from streams that lacked clear protection before the Clean Water Rule. America's cherished way of life depends on clean water, as healthy ecosystems provide wildlife habitat and places to fish, paddle, surf, and swim. Clean and reliable water is an economic driver, including for manufacturing, farming, tourism, recreation, and energy production. The health of our rivers, lakes, bays, and coastal waters are impacted by the streams and wetlands where they begin.

Protection for many of the nation's streams and wetlands has been confusing, complex, and time-consuming as the result of Supreme Court decisions in 2001 and 2006. EPA and the Army are taking this action today to provide clarity on protections under the Clean Water Act after receiving requests for over a decade from members of Congress, state and local officials, industry, agriculture, environmental groups, scientists, and the public for a rulemaking.

In developing the rule, the agencies held more than 400 meetings with stakeholders across the country, reviewed over one million public comments, and listened carefully to perspectives from all sides. EPA and the Army also utilized the latest science, including a report summarizing more than 1,200 peer-reviewed, published scientific studies which showed that small streams and wetlands play an integral role in the health of larger downstream water bodies.

Climate change makes protection of water resources even more essential. Streams and wetlands provide many benefits to communities by trapping floodwaters, recharging groundwater supplies, filtering pollution, and providing habitat for fish and wildlife. Impacts from climate change like drought, sea level rise, stronger storms, and warmer temperatures threaten the quantity and quality of America's water. Protecting streams and wetlands will improve our nation's resilience to climate change.

Specifically, the Clean Water Rule:

  • Clearly defines and protects tributaries that impact the health of downstream waters. The Clean Water Act protects navigable waterways and their tributaries. The rule says that a tributary must show physical features of flowing water - a bed, bank, and ordinary high water mark - to warrant protection. The rule provides protection for headwaters that have these features and science shows can have a significant connection to downstream waters.

  • Provides certainty in how far safeguards extend to nearby waters. The rule protects waters that are next to rivers and lakes and their tributaries because science shows that they impact downstream waters. The rule sets boundaries on covering nearby waters for the first time that are physical and measurable.
  • Protects the nation's regional water treasures. Science shows that specific water features can function like a system and impact the health of downstream waters. The rule protects prairie potholes, Carolina and Delmarva bays, pocosins, western vernal pools in California, and Texas coastal prairie wetlands when they impact downstream waters.
  • Focuses on streams, not ditches. The rule limits protection to ditches that are constructed out of streams or function like streams and can carry pollution downstream. So ditches that are not constructed in streams and that flow only when it rains are not covered.

  • Maintains the status of waters within Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems. The rule does not change how those waters are treated and encourages the use of green infrastructure.

  • Reduces the use of case-specific analysis of waters. Previously, almost any water could be put through a lengthy case-specific analysis, even if it would not be subject to the Clean Water Act. The rule significantly limits the use of case-specific analysis by creating clarity and certainty on protected waters and limiting the number of similarly situated water features.

A Clean Water Act permit is only needed if a water is going to be polluted or destroyed. The Clean Water Rule only protects the types of waters that have historically been covered under the Clean Water Act. It does not regulate most ditches and does not regulate groundwater, shallow subsurface flows, or tile drains. It does not make changes to current policies on irrigation or water transfers or apply to erosion in a field. The Clean Water Rule addresses the pollution and destruction of waterways - not land use or private property rights.

The rule protects clean water necessary for farming, ranching, and forestry and provides greater clarity and certainty to farmers about coverage of the Clean Water Act. Farms across America depend on clean and reliable water for livestock, crops, and irrigation. The final rule specifically recognizes the vital role that U.S. agriculture serves in providing food, fuel, and fiber at home and around the world. The rule does not create any new permitting requirements for America's farmers. Activities like planting, harvesting, and moving livestock have long been exempt from Clean Water Act regulation, and the Clean Water Rule preserves those exemptions.

The Clean Water Rule will be effective 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.

More information: www.epa.gov/cleanwaterrule

Scott County residents who would like to know more about gardening and share their knowledge with others are encouraged to sign up for the Master Gardener training course to be held September - November, 2015.  This program offers intensive horticulture training in exchange for volunteer service in the community.

The 2015 training program will be from 6:30 - 9:30 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  An additional Saturday session will be held on October 10th or 24th at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.  This will offer lab sessions at the ISU plant disease and insect labs.  Cost for the program is $195.  More details and applications are available at the Scott County Extension Office, 875 Tanglefoot Lane, Bettendorf, Iowa, online at www.extension.iastate.edu/scott or by calling 563-359-7577. Applications are due July 31, 2015.

Master Gardeners provide information and education to the community on lawn care, trees, shrubs, insects, disease, weed control, soil and plant nutrition, vegetable and flower gardening, ornamentals and houseplants.

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Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Scott County office is hosting the sixth annual "Growing Season" webinar series beginning in June.

The June webinar, Design from Yard to Trough, with Iowa State University Department of Horticulture lecturer Lisa Orgler and Fayette County Master Gardener Gary Whittenbaugh, will be offered on June 17, 2015, at the Scott County Extension Office, 875 Tanglefoot Lane in Bettendorf, IA starting at 7 pm. Participants will learn how to add spark to landscape designs and dive into trough planters filled with conifers and their companions.  There is a $5.00 fee that is payable at the door.

To register for the webinar at the ISU Extension and Outreach Scott County office, contact Amanda Heitz at 563-359-7577 or aheitz@iastate.edu.  All master gardeners attending will earn two continuing education hours for each webinar.

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(Lenexa, Kan., May 13, 2015) - EPA Region 7 compliance evaluation inspections at two GKN Armstrong Wheels, Inc., facilities in Iowa revealed violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) related to the storage and handling of hazardous waste at each facility. In a settlement filed recently in Lenexa, Kan., the company agreed to pay a $150,031 civil penalty to the United States.

Independent inspections at the company's Estherville and Armstrong locations revealed that the company operated each facility as a treatment, storage or disposal facility without a RCRA permit or RCRA interim status, in that they failed to comply with waste generator requirements. GKN Armstrong Wheels also failed to comply with manifesting regulations, universal waste regulations, and used oil regulations.

The two GKN Armstrong Wheels facilities manufacture steel wheels for the off-road industry, primarily for agricultural and construction industries. Both facilities are classified as large quantity generators (generating 1,000 kg of hazardous waste per month), and as small quantity handlers of universal waste (accumulating less than 5,000 kilograms of universal waste at any time). In addition, the facilities are used oil generators. All of these operations subject GKN Armstrong Wheels to regulation under RCRA.

Large quantity generators of hazardous waste may operate without a RCRA permit or interim status provided they comply with certain regulatory requirements. The generator requirements the company failed to comply with include conducting weekly hazardous waste inspections, properly labeling and closing hazardous waste containers, listing the emergency coordinator's contact information in a contingency plan, and training personnel in hazardous waste management procedures, among others.

By agreeing to the settlement with EPA, GKN Armstrong Wheels has certified that it is now in compliance with all requirements of the RCRA and its implementing regulations.

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Learn more about EPA's civil enforcement of RCRA:

http://www.epa.gov/compliance/civil/rcra/index.html

Clinton, IA (May 7, 2015) The Rotary Club of Clinton's "Celebrate our Heritage, Invest in our Future" fundraising campaign to renovate the 80 year old Eagle Point Park Lodge is well on its way to raising $1 Million thanks to a $250,000 contribution from a local foundation.

The Rotary Club of Clinton, a group of business leaders in the gateway area, is leading the efforts to raise $1 million by June 30th to update the inside and outside of the Eagle Point Park Lodge as part of their 100 year anniversary celebration.  Dedicated Rotarians picked this project and set the lofty, but attainable, goal to demonstrate how Rotarians serve the gateway area.

"We wanted to showcase the talent that lies within our Rotary club, how we have served the area the past 100 years and how we will light up Clinton the next 100 years.  We couldn't think of a better way to do that than by leading the charge on renovating one of the area's gems," said Kellie Hillis, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clinton and campaign co-chair.

The campaign team, which started seeking funding the beginning of April, has already raised almost $400,000 thanks in part to a generous $250,000 contribution from the Armstrong Curtis Foundation.  The Armstrong Curtis Foundation, started in 1954 by Edith Curtis Armstrong, Florence E. Curtis and Jacqueline N. Armstrong, typically supports projects in Clinton and Whiteside counties that would have significant impact on the community.  This contribution is the 3rd largest donation the foundation has made over the last 20 years.

The Armstrong Curtis Foundation is excited to be a first lead donor to the Lodge project at Eagle Point Park and encourages the rest of the community foundations, corporations and civic minded community individuals to get behind this project so it can be fully funded by June 30th.

The Eagle Point Park Lodge was built in the 1930's by WPA workmen.  There have been some additions and upgrades since then, but with crumbling walls, outdated fixtures and increased usage, the lodge is in need of some improvements.  The $1 million renovation includes leveling out the entrances and updating the bathrooms for ADA compliance, creating a grand entrance with lodge feel that can accommodate buses, expanding the veranda on the river side to allow for outdoor event space, aesthetic interior and exterior improvements plus the addition of a small meeting/bridal room.

If you'd like to contribute to the "Celebrate our Heritage, Invest in our Future" campaign.  Please mail check to: Gateway Area Foundation, PO Box 1024, Clinton, IA 52732 or email epplodgeproject@gmail.com.

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This is a privately funded campaign.  No tax, city or government money is being used.  All contributions are tax deductible.

About Rotary Club of Clinton - The Rotary Club of Clinton, was founded on June 24, 1915.  There are currently 100 members who work together to serve the Clinton area.  The Rotary Club of Clinton has provided playground equipment at Rotary Park, Ericksen Center and Rainbow Park; in addition to building water/wells in Haiti, providing dictionaries to area 3rd graders, Coats for Kids, scholarships to area high school students, sponsoring exchange students, helping to eradicate Polio and more.

About the Armstrong Curtis Foundation - The Armstrong Curtis Foundation likes to support project that will have a significant impact on the community and might not get done if the foundation didn't participate or lead.  The foundation has donated over $2 Million to projects in Clinton and Whiteside counties over the past 20 years.

Scott County residents who would like to know more about gardening and share their knowledge with others are encouraged to sign up for the Master Gardener training course to be held September - November, 2015.  This program offers intensive horticulture training in exchange for volunteer service in the community.

The 2015 training program will be from 6:30 - 9:30 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  An additional Saturday session will be held on October 10th or 24th at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.  This will offer lab sessions at the ISU plant disease and insect labs.  Cost for the program is $195.  More details and applications are available at the Scott County Extension Office, 875 Tanglefoot Lane, Bettendorf, Iowa, online at www.extension.iastate.edu/scott or by calling 563-359-7577. Applications are due July 31, 2015.

Master Gardeners provide information and education to the community on lawn care, trees, shrubs, insects, disease, weed control, soil and plant nutrition, vegetable and flower gardening, ornamentals and houseplants.

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Hampton, IL/May 5th, 2015 - Once again Living Lands and Waters (LL&W), as well as many local volunteers, will be gathering at Illiniwek Forest Preserve in Hampton, Illinois to join efforts in the second year of the Invasive Species Removal project. Focused on eradicating Japanese Honeysuckle, the program will kick off this week, and continue each weekend through the month of May.

Honeysuckle's growing presence in the area can have detrimental effects on the environment. It quickly moves into an area and takes it over, forming a thick shrub layer that crowds and shades out the native species resulting in a decline in bird populations.  It prevents the germination and growth of native species, eventually preventing the replacement of understory shrubs and trees. Honeysuckle creates an opportunity for other invasive species to invade, further decreasing the natural diversity of forests.

"We're really excited about renewing this program here in the Quad Cities, as we continue to engage and educate the public while doing something positive for the environment," says President and Founder of LL&W, Chad Pregracke.

Volunteers will use hand saws, loppers and weed wrenches to remove the honeysuckle.  Flagging each location where honeysuckle is removed.  LL&W provides all the necessary tools, hard hats, gloves, protective eye wear, as well as lunch. They just ask that volunteers wear boots/athletic shoes (closed toe are a must), long pants, light-colored clothing for hot weather and layers of warm clothing during cooler days. Due to the nature of the work, LL&W is limiting this event to volunteers 16 years of age and above.

, dan@livinglandsandwaters.)

  • Thursday, May 7 - Saturday, May 9
  • Thursday, May 14 - Saturday, May 16
  • Thursday, May 28 - Saturday, May 30

Chad Pregracke started Living Lands & Waters in 1998 as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the beautification and restoration of America's major rivers and to the education of people about environmental issues. From his single boat beginning, LL&W has grown to an internationally known organization with a fleet of barges and workboats.  LL&W engages thousands of volunteers each year in river cleanups, hands-on environmental education workshops, the Great Mississippi River Cleanup, Adopt-a- River-Mile, Invasive Species Removal programs and the MillionTrees Project.

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Native plants attract beneficial insects and birds, along with adding color to gardens. Dick Sayles, a Master Gardener with Iowa State University Scott County Extension and Outreach, will discuss how to introduce native plants to your garden at 7 p.m. May 7 at the Scott County Extension Office, 875 Tanglefoot Lane, Bettendorf.

Sayles also is president of the Quad City Audubon Society. His presentation is titled "Birds, Blueberries, Butterflies and Natural Gardening."

Register by calling the Extension Office at 563-359-7577 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays. The $5 class fee may be paid at the door. For information on other ISU Scott County Extension and Outreach programs, visit http://www.extension.iastate.edu/scott/.

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Iowa State University Scott County Extension and Outreach Master Gardeners will hold a horticulture clinic from 10 a.m. to noon May 9 at the Bettendorf Library, 2950 Learning Campus Drive.

The free clinic offers an opportunity to talk with Master Gardeners about lawn and garden issues.

Residents are encouraged to bring samples of insects, weeds or diseased plants for help identifying the problem and finding a solution. Master Gardeners use their research-based training and resources from Iowa State University to answer questions about lawn and garden care.

The clinic also is open most weekdays during the spring and summer at the ISU Extension and Outreach Scott County Office, 875 Tanglefoot Lane, Bettendorf. Please call the office at 563-359-7577 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for directions to the office and times when the Master Gardeners will be available.

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