 The snow has melted and temperatures have reached jacket-free levels. That means it’s time to discover all that Iowa City’s natural areas have to offer.
There are over 1,000 acres of prairie, wetlands, and forest in the Iowa City area, providing habitat for beautiful native plants and animals. Get outside to bike, hike, swim, canoe, or view native species in their natural habitat.
For more information about Iowa City’s natural areas, take a look at the recently updated Natural Areas of Iowa City brochure.
 This construction season, prepare to see more routes for cyclists in Iowa City.
Plans are in place to add bike lanes to five sites on Iowa City streets this year.
1) Dodge and Governor Streets (Burlington to Summit)
2) Mormon Trek Blvd. (Hwy 1 to Melrose)
3) Clinton (Benton to Church)
4) Foster Rd. (Dubuque to Prairie Du Chien)
5) McCollister Blvd.. (Gilbert to Sycamore)
Bike lanes segment five or more feet of pavement on the side of the roads for cyclists to ride on, providing a route that is safe and separate from vehicles. Stay tuned for more information.
 Don’t miss your chance to plant your own produce this season!
Registration opened for plots in one of Iowa City’s community gardens on April 1. Many plot leases have filled quickly, but there are still spots available at Wetherby Park.
Register online at icgov.org/activityregistration. For more information, contact Recreation Program Supervisor Jeff Sears at jeff-sears@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5100.
For garden plot availability, location, fees, and more, visit www.icgov.org/gardenplots.
Iowa City City Hall is starting a pilot program for composting, in an effort to fulfill goals established in the city’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.
From April 1 to May 31, City Hall employees and visitors will be able to compost their organic waste in a large bin available in the city breakroom, and in smaller bins available in city departments. Many employees wanted compost options at work, and one of the goals in the city’s recently adopted Climate Action Plan is to reduce waste at City facilities.
After the pilot program, composting could be extended to other city facilities.
Iowa City is taking its action on climate change to the next level with a new opportunity through a national organization.
A summer fellowship at the City of Iowa City will provide full-time employment to an equity fellow, who will connect with populations that are disproportionately affected by climate change. This fellowship, offered by the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN), will identify populations most vulnerable to changes, such as people facing challenges of low income or language barriers. This effort will involve engaging with these populations about their needs, and creating methods to achieve climate goals in a fair and equitable way.
Equity is an important pillar of Iowa City’s recently completed Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, and this position will help create a groundwork for future equity-driven sustainability efforts through the City.
For more information about the fellowship and to apply, visit the USDN webpage.
 Applications are open for local organizations to receive proceeds from the annual Farm to Street dinner in August.
The dinner, hosted by Johnson County, Iowa City, and the Iowa City Downtown District, serves a meal of local foods to members of the community. The beneficiary of the event will be expected to have two members serve on the Farm to Street planning committee, recruit 20 volunteers to help clean after the event, provide an informational table at the event, and prepare to give a report at the 2020 Farm to Street dinner discussing what the funds were used for.
This organization should be working to enhance the local food system. Past organizations benefited have included Table to Table and the Iowa Valley Global Food Project.
Find out more and apply online by April 30.
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