Good Neighbor Iowa would not be possible without the support of Iowa residents across the state. Our progress toward pesticide‑free yards, safer play spaces for kids and pets, and healthier pollinator habitats depends on two factors: pledges and Local Champions. When neighbors commit to keep their yards pesticide-free, and Local Champions engage their community with our mission, we move from good intentions to real, measurable change.
At its core, Good Neighbor Iowa is about neighbors looking out for one another. When someone pledges not to use chemicals on their lawn, they’re creating safer spaces for kids and pets, protecting pollinators, and supporting healthier soil and water. Each pledge may seem small on its own, but collectively they add up to healthier communities across Iowa.
Local Champions help take that impact even further. Local Champions are community members who share information, start conversations, and help others learn about pesticide‑free practices. Whether it’s answering questions at an event, sharing resources with a school or childcare center, or simply talking with friends and neighbors, Local Champions help spread the message in a way that’s personal and relatable.
Becoming a Local Champion doesn’t mean you have to commit a lot of time or be a lawn‑care expert. Good Neighbor Iowa offers several levels of involvement so everyone can participate in a way that fits their life. Some begin at the Egg level, building their own understanding of pesticides and sharing simple, trusted resources with family, friends, and neighbors in their everyday lives. Others grow into the Caterpillar level, where they participate in occasional outreach events or have meaningful conversations about pesticide‑free practices with people they regularly interact with. At the Chrysalis level, Champions take a more active role by representing Good Neighbor Iowa at community events, engaging residents, schools, or local organizations, and helping spread awareness more broadly. A few take the next step and emerge as Butterfly Champions, local leaders who help organize outreach, mentor others, and serve as a trusted community voice for pesticide‑free solutions. No matter where someone begins or how far they choose to grow, every Champion plays a valuable role in creating healthier, safer neighborhoods.
Getting started as a Local Champion is simple:
- Fill out the Local Champion Interest Form to let us know you’d like to get involved.
- Sign up for the Good Neighbor Iowa Quarterly Newsletter to stay connected and informed.
- Gain access to the Digital Local Champion Toolkit, full of easy‑to‑use resources.
- Read the welcome document and explore materials that support outreach and education.
- Spread the word about Good Neighbor Iowa in ways that feel comfortable to you, through conversation, events, or sharing materials.
- Stay connected by following Good Neighbor Iowa on social media and reading the Quarterly Newsletters.
When neighbors step up together, real change happens. Pledges show that pesticide‑free yards are possible, and Local Champions help make those practices visible and accessible. Together, they create a ripple effect, encouraging more people to get involved, ask questions, and take steps toward healthier outdoor spaces.
Good Neighbor Iowa isn’t driven by rules or regulations; it’s fueled by people who care about their communities and the environment. By pledging your yard or becoming a Local Champion, you’re helping create safer, healthier places to live, work, and play across Iowa.
Being a Good Neighbor starts right in your own yard.
By Jordan Holloway, February 16, 2026. Jordan is a student at the University of Northern Iowa, majoring in Environmental Science with minors in Chemistry and Sustainability. Jordan assists Good Neighbor Iowa with community outreach and education.
