More sustainable efforts on the way

In its proposed fiscal year 2020 budget, the City of Iowa City is continuing its commitment to funding sustainable initiatives.

Climate Action Grants

The city plans to continue to fund Community Climate Action Grants, totaling $50,000. These funds will be dispersed to local organizations, at up to $5,000 each, to fund projects tied to climate action.

Past projects have included sewing classes for migrants and refugees, aimed to reduce textile waste, and bicycle giveaways for kids to encourage sustainable transportation at a young age.

Unlike last year, the projects must have a clear connection to action on climate change. Apply for Community Climate Action Grants between Feb. 1 and March 1 at icgov.org/sustainability.

Other sustainable efforts

A number of other items in the proposed budget contribute to a more sustainable Iowa City, including:

• A large solar installation at the new Public Works Streets Building
• LED lighting and HVAC system updates
• Funding for the Green Iowa AmeriCorps program (which provides free energy audits in homes of Iowa City residents)
• An efficiency and methane study to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the Wastewater Treatment Plant

What's that tree?

Navigate the diverse array of nearly 50,000 trees populating Iowa City’s urban forest through a new online inventory, Tree Plotter, the product of three years of data collection.

The interactive map shows individual trees in the city with information about each tree’s species and size, and includes information about the environmental benefit that Iowa City’s trees are providing on a daily basis, such as air quality and energy savings. This information will help the Parks and Forestry Division manage and maintain Iowa City’s urban forest for years to come.

Plan-It Geo, which conducted the analysis and mapped the trees, provides online tutorials for navigating and using the tree inventory.

What to know about winter biking in Iowa City

You don’t have to stop biking (for fun or transportation) just because there’s snow on the ground.

Iowa City maintains many trails between schools and other areas that are on commute routes. Other trails are not maintained, so that they can be used for other winter recreation activities. More details on trail maintenance can be found at https://www.icgov.org/wintertrailsprogram.   

To stay safe while biking in the winter, remember to dress in layers and ensure your hands, feet, and face are protected from the chilly wind. Keeping a low tire pressure or investing in studded tires can increase stability while riding in slushy conditions. And remember it gets dark early in the winter, so don’t forget a light on your bike if you won’t be riding home before the sun goes down.

Yard waste collection temporarily suspended

From now until Friday, March 15, curbside organics will be collected by appointment only. The weekly pick-up will be suspended to conserve fuel during this period of low volume. To schedule an appointment for pick up, call 319-356-5151 at least 24 hours before your regular collection day. Normal service will resume on Monday, March 18.

To reduce food waste from freezing to the bottom of your organics cart:

• Wait to put your organics container at the curb until 7 a.m. on your curbside collection day (if the container is regularly stored indoors).
• Line your container with cardboard or newspaper 
• Place food waste in paper bags or ASTM D6400 certified compostable bags 

If you keep your container outdoors and regularly add food waste to it, the material may freeze to the container. This can cause the materials to not empty during curbside pickup. Material will thaw and loosen from container when temperatures warm up again.

Visit www.icgov.org/foodwaste for more information about curbside organics collection.

Housing rehabilitation collaborates with AmeriCorps

Participants in Iowa City’s housing rehabilitation programs will also receive free home energy audits thanks to a collaboration between the City and Green Iowa AmeriCorps.

This collaboration would begin with Iowa City residents who sign up for the City’s owner-occupied housing rehabilitation programs.  New applicants will schedule a free home energy audit through Green Iowa AmeriCorps.  Information received from the audit may assist to identify what repairs and work will be done under the rehabilitation project.  Recent past recipients will also be provided the opportunity to sign up for a free home energy audit.  The energy audit will allow homeowners to learn what areas of their home need work to reduce air infiltration, improve energy efficiency and may decrease utility bills.

All Iowa City residents are eligible for a free energy audit through Green Iowa AmeriCorps. To arrange yours, call 319-339-5399, email greeniowaIC@gmail.com, or visit greeniowaamericorps.org.

Upcoming Events

Endangered Species Series

Kids ages 5 to 12 are invited to learn more about sea turtles, a well-known but endangered species, threatened by harmful environmental conditions.

Sign up to attend the Getting to Know Endangered Species event focusing on sea turtles on Sunday, Feb. 17 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in Meeting Room B at the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center, 220 S. Gilbert St. The event is $6 for Iowa City residents and $11 for nonresidents. Register online and stay tuned for more events.

Freeze Fest

You can still enjoy the outdoors in the winter during Freeze Fest, a fun, outdoor learning event for families.

Activities include snow painting, games, winter hiking, winter survival skill building games, ice skating, and ice fishing (weather permitting). All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Join in on the fun at no cost at Terry Trueblood Park Lodge on Sunday, Feb. 10 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Upcycling Series

Don’t throw away your clutter -- upcycle it!

The upcycling series shows you how to craft items found around your home into something new. Join in on this month’s events at the Eastside Recycling Center, 2401 Scott Blvd, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 6 -- Bird Feeder Bottles

Feb. 13 -- Upcycled Drink Coasters

Feb. 20 -- Wine Cork Upcycling

Feb. 27 -- Upcycled T-shirts (bags & aprons)

These events are free to attend, but RSVP is required, as space is limited. Materials are provided, or feel free to bring your own. Activities are suitable for ages 12 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

To RSVP, contact Rachel Oswald at 319-339-5399 or rachel-oswald@iowa-city.org.

Curbside Waste Reminders

All curbside waste customers should have received a new, 65-gallon recycling cart to replace the 18-gallon recycling bin. If you did not receive a new cart, or received a duplicate, call 319-356-5151. If you don’t want your old recycling bin, curbside crews will pick it up during your normal service day on the week of Feb. 4 to 8.

Organics carts for food and yard waste are back for curbside customers who did not receive one last year. If you would like a 95-gallon organics cart, fill out a Request Form for one to be delivered to your home. If you would like a 25-gallon organics cart, stay tuned to www.icgov.org/organics and the Sustainable Iowa City Newsletter for cart pickup event information.

Prairie Preview

Learn more about how to connect with nature at Prairie Preview XXXVI from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5 at the Clarion Hotel Highlander Conference Center, 2525 N. Dodge St.

University of Iowa Outdoor Recreation & Education Associate Director Dave Conrads will give a presentation on how to connect young people with nature. Following the presentation, UI Wildlife Camps and Nature Recreation Area will host a panel Q&A session.

This event is free and open to the public. Stay up-to-date on Facebook and the Bur Oak Land Trust website.

PIN Grants

Neighborhood associations are invited to apply for grant funding intended to beautify or strengthen their community.

The Program for Improving Neighborhoods (PIN) grant offers up to $5,000 to programs and projects such as park improvements, neighborhood events, sidewalk repairs, and more.

Grant applications are due to the Iowa City Office of Neighborhood Outreach on March 29 at 5 p.m.

For more information about PIN grants, visit the program website.

Sustainability Spotlight

This month’s spotlight features Blake Rupe, the coordinator of the University of Iowa Sustainable Water Development Program. She believes that if people put whatever effort they can toward sustainability given their means, that should be seen as a success.

See Blake's full spotlight at icgov.org/sustainability. 

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