Residents can begin setting out compost for curbside collection next week. The program is available to people currently receiving City garbage, recycling and yard waste services. 

Participants need a yard waste sticker and self supplied 35-gallon container with a lid. Set your container out by 7 a.m. on your collection day. Food can by mixed with yard waste. Crews will begin pick-up on Monday, March 13.

The new program will help divert some of the roughly 18,000 tons of food waste that reaches the Iowa City Landfill each year. Residents will be able to compost many different types of foods, including fruits/vegetables, meats and grains, as well as paper products like pizza boxes, leftover containers and uncoated, disposable dishes. For program information and compost instructions visit icgov.org/foodwaste.

Join Recycling Coordinator Jennifer Jordan for a Facebook Live Q&A on the new curbside composting program at noon on Friday, March 17. Short instructional videos will also be posted to Facebook each weeknight next week. To see the videos and join the live conversation like the City of Iowa City Government Facebook Page. 

The City of Iowa City continues to make progress on its 15 action steps as part of the Affordable Housing Action Plan that the City Council approved in June. 

As part of its plan, the City is supporting the local FUSE - Housing First program, a project designed to provide the most vulnerable members of our community with permanent housing while also connecting them with supportive services. 

In Johnson County, the program is currently working on raising money and developing housing. Twelve local agencies, including the City of Iowa City, are working together to pursue funding options to develop a 12 to 15-plus unit housing project with single occupancy units for people who are program eligible. 

As part of the City's Affordable Housing Action Plan, the Council has also adopted an inclusionary zoning code amendment for the Riverfront Crossings District and continues its funding for existing local programs including the General Rehab and Improvement Program GRIP and UniverCity Neighborhood Partnership Program. 

Come celebrate a special bird, with a declining population, that returns to Iowa City every year. 

The annual Iowa Purple Martin Seminar will happen at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at the Iowa Clothing Center, located at 1005 Nutmeg Ave., Kalona. 

The City supports three houses for Purple Martins, the largest North American swallow. The houses are located at the wastewater treatment plant, the water plant, and at the East Side Recycling Center. City staff provided the distinctive bird houses because of the Purple Martin's declining population and the fact that they rely on humans for housing. 

Purple Martins spend their winters in South America and make their way to Iowa each April. They raise their young in houses here, as seen pictured above, and then migrate south in August.

These birds enjoy human interaction and are beneficial because they eat insects, including mosquitos. For several years, the City has hosted successful Purple Martin breeding colonies.

Those interested in learning more about bird conservation should attend the Purple Martin Seminar. 

A workshop on fair lending practices will be held at no cost to the public. 

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago will present the workshop from 9 to 11 a.m., Thursday, March 30, 2017 at the Johnson County Extension Office, located at 3109 Old Hwy 218 South. 

Dr. Marva Williams, Economic Development Director, and Scott Grotewold, Fair Lending Risk Specialist, Supervision and Regulation, both of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago will present.

There is no cost to attend the training, but pre-registration is required and can be done online at eventbrite.com. The deadline to register is Monday, March 27. 

City staff are working hard to create a 10-year Management Plan for natural areas owned by the City. 

This plan will prioritize maintenance and management efforts to protect the functional, economic, recreational and aesthetic values of these areas. Metrics from this work will be used to report progress toward Iowa City's STAR Communities rating, a measure provided by the nation's leading framework and certification program for local sustainability. 

This project includes creating a geographic information system (GIS) database of all natural areas owned and maintained by the City, assessing the current condition of each and providing recommendations for maintenance and enhancements these areas. Work will also involve providing a recommendation of priorities and cost estimate for recommended tasks. 

As spring approaches be sure to explore the natural areas of Iowa City. 

Install a rain garden, bio-retention cells, rain barrels and pervious pavement and the City may kick-in some money for the project.

The City's Best Management Practice Program aims to improve the quality of stormwater runoff and reduce the amount of pollutants entering the storm sewer system and waterways.

The program covers the cost of plantings, dirt, rock, pavement and contractor labor used to install projects that protect stormwater quality. Program information and an application for reimbursement is available on the City of Iowa City website. 

Watch for sustainability updates on the City of Iowa City Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #SustainableIC. If you haven't already, give us a like and follow! To subscribe to this newsletter and other City news visit icgov.org/e-subscriptions.

4-STAR: In March 2016, Iowa City was awarded a 4-STAR Community Rating for sustainability excellence, by being formally certified in the STAR Community Rating System. STAR offers the nation's leading certification program in evaluating local sustainability, encompassing social, economic and environmental performance measures. More info: www.STARcommunities.org.