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May 2023 | Visit us online at www.icgov.org/climateaction. 

Energy Blitz Volunteers

On Earth Day (April 22), the average temperature in Iowa City was a brisk 35 degrees.

Despite the chill, 57 volunteers showed up to help distribute energy saving kits and collected 134 pounds worth of old batteries and bulbs.

Volunteers collectively walked 142.5 miles to reach 833 households in the Creekside Neighborhood.

The kits contained energy saving devices and tips that can help avert an estimated 478,142 pounds of CO2 annually

Morning volunteers (above) and afternoon volunteers (below) smile through the snow flurries!

Join Us for the June 10 Spot the Hot Kickoff!

Photo credit: NOAA

Save the date for a unique kickoff event that combines citizen science, public health, and community resilience. From 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, June 10, all are invited to Mercer Park Shelter 2 to learn about Spot the Hot, an initiative of Iowa City and Cedar Rapids to identify urban heat islands in the Corridor. 

Heat islands are hotspots in the city where temperatures can be up to 20° F higher due to lack of tree cover, extensive pavement or concrete, and other factors. Identifying these areas helps local decision-makers take actions to reduce the health impacts of extreme heat, which often disproportionately impact the most vulnerable.

Volunteers are needed to help gather the data! To learn more, visit icgov.org/SpotTheHot.

Beyond No Mow May: Iowa City Lawn Love

Check out the new video series called Iowa City Lawn Love, which showcases Iowa City’s passion for unique yards and native plants! Each short video will feature a different yard, beginning with Jenny Trana's healthy habitat, pictured above.

If you are interested in "rewilding" your own yard, you can find information on the City's provision for natural spaces and steps to designate a natural or conservation area at icgov.org/LawnLove.

Even Once a Week Makes a Difference!

Did you know Iowa City residents walk, bike, and take the bus to work at rates higher than the national average?

Joining those climate-friendly commuters is easy. Start by giving yourself one day each week to leave the car in the garage and get some fresh air instead. Walk to the bus stop, hop on a bike, or even try carpooling with a co-worker.

It’s the kind of commute you can feel good about, one that makes our community heathier, cleaner, and more livable – not just in the future but here and now.

Find resources to support your commuting options at icgov.org/walkandroll.

Multiple Iowa City Events Celebrate Bike to Work Week

Bike to Work Week is May 15-21 and this year there are many ways to get involved. Look for fun, free Climate Action Matters reflective bands at the breakfast hosted by Big Grove on May 15. Find other fun bike events on the Bike Iowa City event calendar. 

Have an elementary student in your household? Find out if they can access free tune-ups and safety checks in a Bike Rodeo held at their school this month. Multiple area elementary schools are participating!

Climate Resilience Corps Connects Students and Neighbors

"The 'zine' is nicely laid out, the graphics are superb, and the information is worthwhile. Keep up the good work." So said Jeff Falk, praising the high school students' efforts in Climate Resilience Corps.

The City High students, together with Green Iowa AmeriCorps, recently completed a project begun in October that included training on climate impacts in our area, conversations with neighbors about their climate concerns, the creation of a zine with resilience information, and assembly of home resilience kit starter packs. The kits and zine were delivered in April to 206 households in their neighborhoods.

Copies of the zine are available at the library and by request from the City Climate Action and Outreach office: see the students' work for yourself!

Farmers Market Opens for 2023

On May 6, Iowa City’s beloved open-air market will be back in the Chauncey Swan parking ramp. Open from May through October, the market will run from 7:30 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.

In May, during National Bike Month, Move Naturally to the Market will reward people who bike or walk to the Saturday Farmers Market with a $2 coupon to spend at the market.

Visit Iowa City’s Farmers Market for fresh, locally produced products from new and returning vendors! 

More information is available on the Iowa City Farmers Market web page.

Backyard Composting Cycles Nutrients on a Hyper-Local Scale

Divert food waste and make rich soil for your plants by getting a Home Composter! Composting at home saves transportation emissions and frees up space in the Johnson County compost facility. Home Composters are available to all Johnson County community members for $25 each. Supplies are limited to one bin per household, so after the first 50 sign-ups, any additional requests will be placed on a waitlist. Pickup will be 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Saturday, June 17. Green Iowa AmeriCorps will provide more information about the bin pickup closer to the date. 

Sign up online to reserve your compost bin today!

Root for Trees Deadline

Root for Trees vouchers must be redeemed by May 15, so go get your tree if you have not already done so! The next cycle for Root for Trees will open in September. Find more information at icgov.org/rootfortrees.

Water Treatment Plant to Host Open House during Public Works Week

All are invited! Come help thank Public Works staff and celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Iowa City Water Treatment Plant with an Open House from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 20, 2023. The Water Division's event is located just south of Waterworks Prairie Park at 80 Stephen Atkins Drive. 

The event will feature remarks from Mayor Bruce Teague, tours of the water facility, City equipment on display, exhibits dedicated to the water facility's history, and more family fun!

Handiwork Highlighted at Upcoming Book Repair Workshop

Join Antelope Lending Library Director, Cassi Elton, and learn how to make simple book repairs at home! Participants will learn the names for parts of a book, how to assess basic book damage, learn to reattach loose pages and book covers, and more.

You are invited to bring along broken books you'd like to repair. This workshop is designed for mass market books, not antique or fragile items. 

• 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 23
• Eastside Recycling Center, 2401 Scott Blvd. SE

This event has no cost, but registration is required, as space is limited. Register by emailing the City's Recycling Coordinator, Jane Wilch, at jwilch@iowa-city.org.

Brinda Shetty

UI Sustainability Program Manager

What is your favorite way to take climate action?

I’ve meditated for years on the saying, “live simply so others may simply live” (Unknown). Being very intentional about consuming what I need, maximizing utility of purchases, and wasting as little as possible are my favorite ways to take climate action. I love thrift store shopping and that feeling of a great find! I’m also truly appreciative of the City’s curbside composting/food waste program. I don’t compost myself, and this program has really helped me see household food waste and adjusting to reduce it.

What can others do to take climate action?

I think the easiest and most impactful thing that can be done is for everyone to get out and vote!

There are so many ways to act. Reducing energy use, driving less, eating more veggies are all great places to start. Personal behavior is hard to change but being willing to try is important. I hope the need for climate action becomes evident to all and choices can be made through a sustainability lens.

Why is climate action important to you?

Climate action is critical to preventing major threats to our natural environment, infrastructure, and human health. Acting now will mitigate the danger and assist in creating equity by reducing the disproportionate impact of climate change. For me, easing potential suffering is the most important reason to act.

Iowa City’s Climate Action Commission meets monthly

Access upcoming and past meeting packets  at the Climate Action Commission web page.

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This newsletter is published by the City of Iowa City Climate Action and Outreach Division. For more information, contact Sarah Gardner at 319-887-6162 or Sarah-Gardner@Iowa-City.org