WATERLOO - Each state in America is saving the planet in its own, unique way.

That's the message one group is trying to get out as they traverse all 50 states, making short videos about the individuals, organizations and businesses helping Americans live more sustainable lives.

Ben Evans, Julie Dingman Evans and Mark Dixon, who are filming, editing and producing their own videos, have made Iowa their 10th state on their year-long journey.

The group, which is called Your Environmental Road Trip, or YERT, stopped in Waterloo for a few days last week to edit some of their latest footage. They stayed at the home of Tahirah and Travis Elliott of Waterloo.

"The point is to share and to make accessible and to sort of normalize the idea of sustainable behavior, and show what ordinary Americans are doing to be sustainable," said Ben Evans, co-founder of YERT.

"We're trying to really share their experiences, so that people who are confused by the groundswell of environmental information don't have to be quite so confused."

YERT did not film in Waterloo but will be traveling to Ames to visit researchers at Iowa State University regarding crop research and biofuels. Evans said Iowa is a nationwide leader when it comes to corn research, but that the emphasis on corn also comes at a cost.

"We're constantly surprised at how much is going on in America, but at the same time, there's an amazing amount of disconnect in some places," Evans said.

All of the group's current videos, from places like Illinois, New Jersey and Massachusetts, as well as their ongoing blog, are available free on www.yert.com. Videos and blogs from Iowa will soon go up as well.

"I hope people are entertained, that they learn something they might not have known and feel it's OK to ask 'why' about their own behavior and policies going on in the country," Evans said.

Contact Amie Steffen at (319) 291-1464 or amie.steffen@wcfcourier.com.