1000 Friends of Iowa is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on advocating and organizing for responsible land use and transportation; working at the intersection of climate, health, and equity in the built environment in the state of Iowa. The organization was founded in 1998 to address the issue of urban sprawl—the expansion of urban areas into surrounding farmland, which leads to the loss of some of the most fertile agricultural land in the country and threatens the livelihoods of local farmers. 1000 Friends of Iowa continues to fight on behalf of Iowa’s family farmers, farmlands, and natural areas, pushing back against urban sprawl, but it has expanded its mission over recent years to combat climate change, promote sustainability, and advance renewable energy. Serving Iowans statewide, 1000 Friends of Iowa engages in community organizing, public education, policy advocacy, and its annual Best Development Awards, which highlight exemplary sustainable projects across the state. In all that they do, 1000 Friends of Iowa is working to build a greener Iowa for future generations.
New neighborhoods encroach on prime farmland in Dallas County, Iowa. Photo: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
A woman-led organization with two full-time staff members, 1000 Friends of Iowa is a small nonprofit making an outsized impact in the state. In 2015, the organization opposed the Iowa Legislature’s decision to remove the requirement to maintain at least four inches of topsoil on residential construction sites, helping to preserve this vital natural resource. The group has also partnered with the Midwest Renewable Energy Association and The Nature Conservancy to launch Grow Solar Polk County and Grow Solar Cedar Valley—two programs that combine education and bulk purchasing to expand Iowans’ access to solar power. The organization has created the Community Transportation Academy as well—a course designed to bridge the gap between transportation decision makers and advocates for accessible, people-centered transportation. In April 2025, 1000 Friends of Iowa won a landmark case against the Polk County Board of Supervisors in the Iowa Supreme Court, defending citizens’ rights to hold their governments accountable and prevent reckless development.
Kemin Industries’ Global Headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, won 1000 Friends of Iowa’s 2021 Best Development Award for its 720 kilowatt solar installation, which powers 100% of the building’s energy needs. Photo: 1000 Friends of Iowa