 In April, four more Iowa City residents completed a nine-week training course to join the ranks of Iowa City’s Climate Ambassadors.
The City wishes to recognize Harriet Yi Woodford, Anna Chapman, Katherine Peterson, and Brady Richlen for their hard work and commitment to taking climate action.
As part of the program, Climate Ambassadors took a deep dive into all five sections of the City’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, learned effective climate communication strategies, and participated in weekly discussions.
For more information on the program, visit icgov.org/CAambassadors.
 Congratulations to the 2026 recipients of Climate Action Grants: Iowa City Downtown District, The Arc of Southeast Iowa, Iowa City Free Lunch Program, Englert Theatre, Claude, Rots Bounty Gourmet Fungi, Kindred Coffee, One Ancient Hope Presbyterian Church, Public Space One, Iowa Valley RC&D, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, and Trinity Episcopal Church.
Grants this year will be used to purchase electric cargo bikes, improve efficiency in buildings, promote electrification, and more. Stay tuned for updates in future newsletters!
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The "Steering Away from Car Dependency" webinar that took place May 15 was recorded. In case you missed it, view it on the City channel! |
 Have an interest in helping Iowa City achieve its ambitious climate goals? Applications are being accepted now through Tuesday, June 9 for a vacant half term that will run through Dec. 2027. More information about the Climate Action Commission, serving on boards and commissions generally, and an online application form can all be found on the City website.
 Alex Buchanan
Climate Action Commissioner
 How do you take climate action?
My favorite way to take climate action is to bike! Not only does it make parking downtown much easier, but the fresh air and exercise are added bonuses. My kids have all grown up on two wheels, and it’s now our default mode of transportation.
Why is it important to take climate action?
As a parent, climate action is the most direct way to secure a healthy, stable future for my children. Beyond my home, I’m motivated by community resilience and protecting the neighborhoods and local institutions that keep us connected, supported, and rooted (shout out to PS1, RSFIC, the Iowa City Public Library, the Bike Library, and the Morningside-Glendale Neighborhood Association, to name a few hubs important to me!). I also feel a professional responsibility to improve our built environment and advance system-level change; through my work with K–12 school leaders and designers, I help shape healthier, more-efficient learning spaces while contributing to broader market transformation. Together, these balanced perspectives keep me focused on urgent, big-picture priorities while staying grounded and hopeful in my day-to-day life.
What can others do to take climate action?
Whether you are taking public transportation, eating a plant-forward diet, attending a neighborhood meeting, or planting a more diverse garden, your actions create a ripple effect. Start with what feels doable and meaningful to you, and stay curious!
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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