 Zero Waste. Cradle to Cradle. Certified Plastics Neutral. With so many labels to signal a product’s eco credentials, how do you know which check out and which are merely marketing tools?
Join Recycling Coordinator Jane Wilch and Climate Action Coordinator Sarah Gardner for an interactive discussion of the good, the bad, and the just plain complicated ecolabels popping up on consumer products, including a little label they both think is doing hero’s work to make recycling easier.
As with previous “Speaking of” discussions, this will be a casual conversation without slides or charts. It’s a chance to ask questions and learn some useful information along the way.
Register at this link to take part in the virtual discussion at noon on August 15.
Green Iowa AmeriCorps Events: Nature Walks and Prairie Plant ID
Enjoy a relaxed ninety-minute hike through Hickory Hill or Waterworks Prairie Park and learn to identify some plants along the way.
Meet at the Hickory Hill parking lot, 800 Conklin Dr., 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 3
Meet at Waterworks Prairie Park, 2875 N Dubuque St., 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 10
Register online or call 319-339-5399 for more information.
|
 Michelle Wiegand
Iowa City Farmers Market Manager
 Why does climate action matter to you?
There are so many reasons! Very simply, I love the natural world and want to help preserve it for future generations. However, we really need to remember to consider humans as part of that natural world and ecosystem. This means we need to look at our impacts on climate and also how different communities are affected by climate challenges, often in disproportionate ways, as well.
How do you take climate action?
I was initially drawn to native landscaping because of the incredible wildlife benefits, but I’ve become even more invested because of the additional environmental benefits, such as reduced water usage, carbon sequestration, and lower gas usage from the reduced size of our lawn.
I appreciate that the Farmers Market not only supports the local economy, but also reduces greenhouse gas usage because of shorter transportation from field to marketplace.
In my work, by promoting recreation outdoors and the conservation of green spaces, I hope to influence future generations of conservation stewards.
What can others do to take climate action?
One big way is choosing where and how to spend/invest your money. Think about what things you can reuse, start a clothing swap with friends and family, purchase used when possible, buy from markets that support local producers, like the Farmers Market and Diversity Market. Remember that the Iowa City Farmers Market accepts EBT and provides Double Up Food Bucks for EBT users, as well.
To get started with native planting, check out the IC Native-Plant Gardeners and Enthusiasts Facebook group and other local gardening groups (Wild Ones, Backyard Abundance) for advice and sometimes plant swaps or giveaways.
Get out and enjoy our local parks and conservation sites, and see how you can get involved. Take your little ones outside, let them get dirty, and encourage their curiosity by using field guides and apps like “Seek”, “iNaturalist”, and “Merlin” to discover the natural world around them. Allowing kids time in nature is good is good their physical and mental health, contributes to learning in a wide-range of subject areas, but also helps inspire future nature stewards.
Iowa City’s Climate Action Commission meets monthly
 |
|
Access upcoming and past meeting packets at the Climate Action Commission web page. |
|
