Robert Hirschfeld
@rfhirschfeld.bsky.social
Director of Water Policy at Prairie Rivers Network in Illinois.
The rural Midwest doesn’t have to be a sacrifice zone for corn and soybeans.
The rural Midwest doesn’t have to be a sacrifice zone for corn and soybeans.
Pinned
How Herbicide Drift from Farms Is Harming Trees in Midwest
Researchers are starting to pay closer attention to the widespread damage wrought by agricultural herbicides. Drifting sprays may not kill trees, shrubs, and other nontarget plants outright, but exper...
e360.yale.edu
Proud that our research on widespread herbicide damage to trees is being covered by @yalee360.bsky.social
And our findings have been backed by @illinoisdnr.bsky.social's 2024 study, which found herbicides at 97% of forest, prairie & wetland sites tested across Illinois e360.yale.edu/features/her...
And our findings have been backed by @illinoisdnr.bsky.social's 2024 study, which found herbicides at 97% of forest, prairie & wetland sites tested across Illinois e360.yale.edu/features/her...
Reposted by Robert Hirschfeld
I've been making the media rounds this week.
Today in my local paper, I'm urging Illinois policy makers (who should know better!) not to repeat the ethanol disaster—one of the worst land use and natural resource policies in American history—but this time for jet fuel.
Today in my local paper, I'm urging Illinois policy makers (who should know better!) not to repeat the ethanol disaster—one of the worst land use and natural resource policies in American history—but this time for jet fuel.
My Turn | Illinois agriculture should aim higher than jet fuel
"The governor is right that Illinois agriculture is in crisis. But the solution will not come from chasing another biofuel boom. It will come from using our extraordinary soils to
www.news-gazette.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:17 PM
I've been making the media rounds this week.
Today in my local paper, I'm urging Illinois policy makers (who should know better!) not to repeat the ethanol disaster—one of the worst land use and natural resource policies in American history—but this time for jet fuel.
Today in my local paper, I'm urging Illinois policy makers (who should know better!) not to repeat the ethanol disaster—one of the worst land use and natural resource policies in American history—but this time for jet fuel.
We're sorry you've been poisoned by drinking "forever chemicals." Here's a credit on your next bill.
November 25, 2025 at 5:15 PM
We're sorry you've been poisoned by drinking "forever chemicals." Here's a credit on your next bill.
Illinois EPA issues a health advisory for PFAS found in a community water supply.
November 25, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Illinois EPA issues a health advisory for PFAS found in a community water supply.
I've been making the media rounds this week.
Today in my local paper, I'm urging Illinois policy makers (who should know better!) not to repeat the ethanol disaster—one of the worst land use and natural resource policies in American history—but this time for jet fuel.
Today in my local paper, I'm urging Illinois policy makers (who should know better!) not to repeat the ethanol disaster—one of the worst land use and natural resource policies in American history—but this time for jet fuel.
My Turn | Illinois agriculture should aim higher than jet fuel
"The governor is right that Illinois agriculture is in crisis. But the solution will not come from chasing another biofuel boom. It will come from using our extraordinary soils to
www.news-gazette.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:17 PM
I've been making the media rounds this week.
Today in my local paper, I'm urging Illinois policy makers (who should know better!) not to repeat the ethanol disaster—one of the worst land use and natural resource policies in American history—but this time for jet fuel.
Today in my local paper, I'm urging Illinois policy makers (who should know better!) not to repeat the ethanol disaster—one of the worst land use and natural resource policies in American history—but this time for jet fuel.
jeeeee-sus chriiiist i-i luuuuuvv you-uuuuu yeh-esss iiii doooo-oooooooo
November 23, 2025 at 4:34 PM
jeeeee-sus chriiiist i-i luuuuuvv you-uuuuu yeh-esss iiii doooo-oooooooo
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimmm
the maaaaaaaaaaaaaannn
in the box
the maaaaaaaaaaaaaannn
in the box
November 23, 2025 at 4:11 PM
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimmm
the maaaaaaaaaaaaaannn
in the box
the maaaaaaaaaaaaaannn
in the box
Off to the Charles E. Grassley Reeducation Camp for this guy
And he was promptly renditioned to the nearest manure lagoon.
November 21, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Off to the Charles E. Grassley Reeducation Camp for this guy
A GOP lawmaker in South Dakota admits the truth: agriculture is a major source of water pollution, and “voluntary conservation” isn’t solving it.
Something you can’t get Illinois’ Democratic supermajority—or many environmental groups—to admit.
Something you can’t get Illinois’ Democratic supermajority—or many environmental groups—to admit.
November 21, 2025 at 8:30 PM
A GOP lawmaker in South Dakota admits the truth: agriculture is a major source of water pollution, and “voluntary conservation” isn’t solving it.
Something you can’t get Illinois’ Democratic supermajority—or many environmental groups—to admit.
Something you can’t get Illinois’ Democratic supermajority—or many environmental groups—to admit.
Reposted by Robert Hirschfeld
"Agricultural, chemical and mining industry groups celebrated the EPA’s push to curb federal water regulations"
Of course they celebrated—their business model depends on polluting our water.
story by @juanpab.bsky.social www.wbez.org/environment/...
Of course they celebrated—their business model depends on polluting our water.
story by @juanpab.bsky.social www.wbez.org/environment/...
Trump administration to strip protections for wetlands and streams, leaving Illinois habitat at risk
At the heart of the proposal announced earlier this week is a new, stricter definition to the long-debated legal term, “Waters of the United States."
www.wbez.org
November 21, 2025 at 3:08 PM
"Agricultural, chemical and mining industry groups celebrated the EPA’s push to curb federal water regulations"
Of course they celebrated—their business model depends on polluting our water.
story by @juanpab.bsky.social www.wbez.org/environment/...
Of course they celebrated—their business model depends on polluting our water.
story by @juanpab.bsky.social www.wbez.org/environment/...
"Agricultural, chemical and mining industry groups celebrated the EPA’s push to curb federal water regulations"
Of course they celebrated—their business model depends on polluting our water.
story by @juanpab.bsky.social www.wbez.org/environment/...
Of course they celebrated—their business model depends on polluting our water.
story by @juanpab.bsky.social www.wbez.org/environment/...
Trump administration to strip protections for wetlands and streams, leaving Illinois habitat at risk
At the heart of the proposal announced earlier this week is a new, stricter definition to the long-debated legal term, “Waters of the United States."
www.wbez.org
November 21, 2025 at 3:08 PM
"Agricultural, chemical and mining industry groups celebrated the EPA’s push to curb federal water regulations"
Of course they celebrated—their business model depends on polluting our water.
story by @juanpab.bsky.social www.wbez.org/environment/...
Of course they celebrated—their business model depends on polluting our water.
story by @juanpab.bsky.social www.wbez.org/environment/...
This bailout is “a bridge” to the next bailout.
That’s how American farm policy works.
That’s how American farm policy works.
Rep. Ashley Hinson on a bailout for farmers: "I'm pleased to hear that the administration acknowledges the struggles our farmers are facing and will be focused on this bridge. We need this bridge, these payments to go out to our folks so they can continue to operate."
November 21, 2025 at 3:06 PM
This bailout is “a bridge” to the next bailout.
That’s how American farm policy works.
That’s how American farm policy works.
Metaphor Alert
BREAKING: The UN climate talks COP30 have been evacuated due to a fire breaking out inside the venue in Belém, Brazil.
November 20, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Metaphor Alert
I don't want to punish my kids either, but sometimes it's what's best for them.
*LEAVITT: TRUMP DOES NOT WANT TO EXECUTE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
November 20, 2025 at 7:39 PM
I don't want to punish my kids either, but sometimes it's what's best for them.
The President called for his opponents to be executed.
Let's see what's in the news.
Let's see what's in the news.
November 20, 2025 at 7:37 PM
The President called for his opponents to be executed.
Let's see what's in the news.
Let's see what's in the news.
On one hand, it's good no one takes seriously the President calling for the execution of his opponents.
On the other hand, it's very, very bad no one takes seriously the President calling for the execution of his opponents.
On the other hand, it's very, very bad no one takes seriously the President calling for the execution of his opponents.
November 20, 2025 at 7:33 PM
On one hand, it's good no one takes seriously the President calling for the execution of his opponents.
On the other hand, it's very, very bad no one takes seriously the President calling for the execution of his opponents.
On the other hand, it's very, very bad no one takes seriously the President calling for the execution of his opponents.
Illinois has already destroyed 90% of its historic wetlands. Now the majority of those that remain lack federal protection.
These wetlands soak up floodwaters and keep them out of your basement. They keep your drinking water clean.
Tell @govpritzker.illinois.gov to protect
Illinois wetlands.
These wetlands soak up floodwaters and keep them out of your basement. They keep your drinking water clean.
Tell @govpritzker.illinois.gov to protect
Illinois wetlands.
November 20, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Illinois has already destroyed 90% of its historic wetlands. Now the majority of those that remain lack federal protection.
These wetlands soak up floodwaters and keep them out of your basement. They keep your drinking water clean.
Tell @govpritzker.illinois.gov to protect
Illinois wetlands.
These wetlands soak up floodwaters and keep them out of your basement. They keep your drinking water clean.
Tell @govpritzker.illinois.gov to protect
Illinois wetlands.
Donald Trump should order Pam Bondi to indict Donald Trump so MAGA can rally around the witch hunt and get his numbers back up.
🚨Truly horrible poll numbers for Trump amongst REPUBLICANS.
November 20, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Donald Trump should order Pam Bondi to indict Donald Trump so MAGA can rally around the witch hunt and get his numbers back up.
Meels - Willow Song (Official Music Video)
YouTube video by MeelsVEVO
youtu.be
November 20, 2025 at 3:32 AM
It’s strange how much pressure you can feel to not admit ignorance on a subject.
But the world is a complex, complicated place; you can’t know everything!
Questions are good, and people need to be able to explain things at multiple levels of understanding.
But the world is a complex, complicated place; you can’t know everything!
Questions are good, and people need to be able to explain things at multiple levels of understanding.
The actual secret to why I know stuff is that I ask a question any time I don’t understand literally anything. I don’t care how simple it is. Anybody who makes fun of you for asking a simple question likely doesn’t know the answer either
November 20, 2025 at 1:09 AM
It’s strange how much pressure you can feel to not admit ignorance on a subject.
But the world is a complex, complicated place; you can’t know everything!
Questions are good, and people need to be able to explain things at multiple levels of understanding.
But the world is a complex, complicated place; you can’t know everything!
Questions are good, and people need to be able to explain things at multiple levels of understanding.
Reposted by Robert Hirschfeld
The fact is the feds aren’t doing their jobs and Congress has not been doing theirs for a VERY long time on environmental issues. So yes states need to step up and step over the fearmongering of powerful lobbies such as big ag and developers.
This is a test of whether Pritzker has what’ll take too.
This is a test of whether Pritzker has what’ll take too.
I'm in the @chicagotribune.com today calling on @govpritzker.illinois.gov to protect the Illinois wetlands that keep floods out of our basements & our water clean.
EPA's new rule would strip the vast majority of Illinois wetlands of Clean Water Act protections.
Article by @adrianaperez.bsky.social
EPA's new rule would strip the vast majority of Illinois wetlands of Clean Water Act protections.
Article by @adrianaperez.bsky.social
Illinois lawmakers urged to ‘step up’ and ‘fight like hell’ as EPA moves to cut wetlands protections
New U.S. EPA rule would strip protections from 72% of the state’s remaining wetlands, which play a crucial role in mitigating flooding and filtering drinking water.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:39 AM
The fact is the feds aren’t doing their jobs and Congress has not been doing theirs for a VERY long time on environmental issues. So yes states need to step up and step over the fearmongering of powerful lobbies such as big ag and developers.
This is a test of whether Pritzker has what’ll take too.
This is a test of whether Pritzker has what’ll take too.
Reposted by Robert Hirschfeld
I'm in the @chicagotribune.com today calling on @govpritzker.illinois.gov to protect the Illinois wetlands that keep floods out of our basements & our water clean.
EPA's new rule would strip the vast majority of Illinois wetlands of Clean Water Act protections.
Article by @adrianaperez.bsky.social
EPA's new rule would strip the vast majority of Illinois wetlands of Clean Water Act protections.
Article by @adrianaperez.bsky.social
Illinois lawmakers urged to ‘step up’ and ‘fight like hell’ as EPA moves to cut wetlands protections
New U.S. EPA rule would strip protections from 72% of the state’s remaining wetlands, which play a crucial role in mitigating flooding and filtering drinking water.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:08 PM
I'm in the @chicagotribune.com today calling on @govpritzker.illinois.gov to protect the Illinois wetlands that keep floods out of our basements & our water clean.
EPA's new rule would strip the vast majority of Illinois wetlands of Clean Water Act protections.
Article by @adrianaperez.bsky.social
EPA's new rule would strip the vast majority of Illinois wetlands of Clean Water Act protections.
Article by @adrianaperez.bsky.social
One of the best undergrad classes I took was called “Science in Context.”
It was team taught by a physics professor and historian.
The entirely syllabus was reading this book front to back.
It was team taught by a physics professor and historian.
The entirely syllabus was reading this book front to back.
The Making of the Atomic Bomb is one of the best books ever written.
Ok BlueSky: what are your favorite history books in terms of sheer page-turning, narrative propulsion? Thinking along the line of Killers of the Flower Moon, etc. Nonfiction chronicles that read like novels or movies.
November 19, 2025 at 11:24 PM
One of the best undergrad classes I took was called “Science in Context.”
It was team taught by a physics professor and historian.
The entirely syllabus was reading this book front to back.
It was team taught by a physics professor and historian.
The entirely syllabus was reading this book front to back.
I'm in the @chicagotribune.com today calling on @govpritzker.illinois.gov to protect the Illinois wetlands that keep floods out of our basements & our water clean.
EPA's new rule would strip the vast majority of Illinois wetlands of Clean Water Act protections.
Article by @adrianaperez.bsky.social
EPA's new rule would strip the vast majority of Illinois wetlands of Clean Water Act protections.
Article by @adrianaperez.bsky.social
Illinois lawmakers urged to ‘step up’ and ‘fight like hell’ as EPA moves to cut wetlands protections
New U.S. EPA rule would strip protections from 72% of the state’s remaining wetlands, which play a crucial role in mitigating flooding and filtering drinking water.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:08 PM
I'm in the @chicagotribune.com today calling on @govpritzker.illinois.gov to protect the Illinois wetlands that keep floods out of our basements & our water clean.
EPA's new rule would strip the vast majority of Illinois wetlands of Clean Water Act protections.
Article by @adrianaperez.bsky.social
EPA's new rule would strip the vast majority of Illinois wetlands of Clean Water Act protections.
Article by @adrianaperez.bsky.social
Reposted by Robert Hirschfeld
The Trump Administration is pushing to expand the RFS to require billions of gallons of additional soy biodiesel. Trump's Big Beautiful Bill also included billions of dollars in new biofuel subsidies. Way too many Democrats support this nonsense! 4
e360.yale.edu/features/cor...
e360.yale.edu/features/cor...
The ‘Green’ Aviation Fuel That Would Increase Carbon Emissions
The U.S. agriculture lobby has long promoted ethanol for cars. If President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” becomes law, the industry would be given tax credits for producing crop-based fuel for planes, ...
e360.yale.edu
November 19, 2025 at 2:04 PM
The Trump Administration is pushing to expand the RFS to require billions of gallons of additional soy biodiesel. Trump's Big Beautiful Bill also included billions of dollars in new biofuel subsidies. Way too many Democrats support this nonsense! 4
e360.yale.edu/features/cor...
e360.yale.edu/features/cor...
DC and Silicon Valley know what’s best for you.
One Nation Under Grok
One Nation Under Grok
November 19, 2025 at 12:10 AM
DC and Silicon Valley know what’s best for you.
One Nation Under Grok
One Nation Under Grok