Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

March 2026 | Visit us online at www.icgov.org/climateaction. 

By the numbers: Iowa City water usage

Water use requires energy. The energy it takes to treat and deliver the water for ten houses annually could power your home’s refrigerator for six years, and the energy to heat it could fuel your car for more than three years!

Iowa City Water Treatment Plant pumps out about 2 billion gallons of water per year, the same amount of water in a year the Chicago treatment facilities treat in a day.

The amount of water drawn from and returned to the Iowa River for use in Iowa City passes under the Park Road bridge every 90 seconds when the river is at its lowest flow rate of 150 cubic feet per second.

Apply now for a Climate Action Grant

The City offers Climate Action Grants in order to inspire and promote public involvement in the implementation of Iowa City’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan with projects that increase energy efficiency, encourage low or no-emissions transportation, minimize waste and/or consumption, support sustainable activities, and promote preparedness and resilience.

Awards of up to $10,000 are available for non-profit and community-based organizations and for-profit businesses serving Iowa City. Applications are being accepted now through April 1.

For more information, call 319-887-6161 or visit icgov.org/ClimateActionGrants.

Mark your calendars for this year's Energy Blitz

The City's annual neighborhood energy-saving event is scheduled for Sat., April 25! If you’re interested in volunteering, email ClimateAction@iowa-city.org to receive a reminder when the sign up goes live on March 25. For questions or more information, call 319-887-6164 or visit icgov.org/CAevents.

Community garden plots gear up for spring

Community gardening plot renewal runs through March 6. Returning gardeners should re-register by calling 319-356-5100 or visiting in person at Robert A. Lee Recreation Center or Mercer Park Aquatic Center.

New to community gardening? Plot registration will open to the public on Tues., March 17. Registrations will be taken in-person only at Mercer Park Aquatic Center beginning at 7 a.m. For more information, call 319-356-5100 or visit icgov.org/GardenPlots.

Know a great food access organization? Spread the word!

The Beneficiary Application for Farm to Street 2026 is now open!

This month's reason for hope: renewable energy's unstoppable momentum

In 2025, solar and wind surpassed coal as a global energy source. Find more climate hope on the Project 51 web page.

Prom ReRun encourages reuse

On Sat., March 14, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Johnson County high school students and community members will have the opportunity to pick up gently used formal wear items at no cost through Prom ReRun. The event will be held at Robert A. Lee Recreation Center, 220 S Gilbert St. 

Donations for the event will be collected through March 12 at six Iowa City drop-off sites, including City Hall.

Accepted donation items include dresses, dress pants, suits, vests, shoes, head wraps, scarves, ties, clothes hangers, garment bags that are clean and in good repair.

Items not accepted include: jewelry, accessories, purses/bags/clutches, cosmetics/make-up.

For all event information, please visit icgov.org/reduce.

Save the date for Earth Expo!

Earth Expo brings together community organizations that are committed to sustainability and combating climate change! Join your hosts Green Iowa AmeriCorps and experience hands-on activities, informative displays, and opportunities to get more involved.

• Sat., April 11, 1-4 p.m.
• Robert A. Lee Recreation Center, 220 S Gilbert St.

John Clayton

Climate Action Commissioner

How do you take climate action?

The most effective way to take climate action is to engage in political actions to guide government policy. While I don't have the global impact, at the granular level, I enjoy establishing more native prairie grasses and flowers.

Why is it important to take climate action?

Climate action is important to me. I am a religious person, and my faith guides me to honor The Creator and therefore care for The Creator’s creations. That means we must take action to save future generations of all life.

What can others do to take climate action?

What people can do to curb the climate crisis is to take it seriously. Individual practices, such as not using plastic bags for groceries, are admirable, but in the big picture, individual actions here and there have not mitigated climate change. The crisis is steadily getting worse, not better. Only large-scale government policy can answer our needs.

Iowa City’s Climate Action Commission meets monthly

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

More events from around the community:

• UI Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative will host a session on data centers March 9 and a session with author Elizabeth Kolbert April 11. 
• 100 Grannies will host a session on water pollution in Iowa March 7.

Event listings and links are shared for community awareness. Inclusion does not imply City endorsement or sponsorship.

Sign up for updates!

Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram using #SustainableIC.

Subscribe to this and other news at icgov.org/subscribe.

This newsletter is published by the City of Iowa City Climate Action and Outreach Division. For more information, or if you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in any Climate Action programming, contact ClimateAction@iowa-city.org at 319-887-6162.

Stay Connected:

Facebook
facebook.com/CityofIowaCity

Instagram
@CityofIowaCity

Nextdoor
City of Iowa City

Newsletters
icgov.org/e-subscriptions

Website: www.icgov.org