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About The Library: ECO Iowa City
ECO Iowa City
A grant-funded initiative to improve environmental sustainability in Iowa City.
Look for us at these events:
- 27th Annual Prairie Preview
- What: Come early to browse, meet prairie friends and visit the exhibits.
- Where: 15 Foster Road
- When: Tuesday, March 9
Seeds of Sustainability
What: CSeeds of Sustainability is a series of community events offered by Backyard Abundance and partners. It culminates with a March 12-14 presentation and workshop led by Dave Jacke, author of the award-winning two-volume book entitled Edible Forest Gardens.
Where: Pomerantz Center, 21 E. Market Street
When: Tuesday, March 12-14
ECO Iowa City Film: Blue Gold—World Water Wars
What: The energy crisis might just be trumped by another problem ... water. Across the globe, fresh water is becoming scarcer because of development, agriculture, pollution, and a growing population. This film includes several stories of people intent on keeping clean water a basic human right. Popcorn will be provided. For more information, contact 356-5200, opt. 5;
Where: Iowa City Public Library, Meeting Room A
When: Friday, March 26, 7-9 p.m.
Improving Water Quality—Starting With Your Property
What: Discover what you can do to improve water quality in your home by capturing the rain that falls on your property. Learn about best management practices including rain barrels, rain gardens and more to improve water quality and reduce the quantity of water that runs off your property. Speaker: Amy Bouska, Urban Conservationist with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardships-Division of Soil Conservation.
Where: Iowa City Public Library, Meeting Room A
When: Thursday, April 1; 7 p.m.
ECO Iowa City Film: The Great Squeeze — Surviving the Human Project
What: This documentary takes a look at the ecological and economical problems associated with our reliance on energy that was once cheap and abundant. For a more sustainable future, the filmmakers argue that we must take action to save the planet as well as human civilization. Popcorn will be provided. For more information, contact 356-5200, opt. 5;
Where: Iowa City Public Library, Meeting Room A
When: Friday, April 2; 7-9 p.m.
A Watershed Year—Anatomy of the Iowa Floods of 2008 by Connie Mutel
What: Connie Mutel will read from her new anthology, “A Watershed Year: Anatomy of the Iowa Floods of 2008,” published by the University of Iowa Press. Other readers include Witold Krajewsk, Wayne Petersen, and John Castle. Co-sponsored by Prairie Lights Bookstore, University of Iowa Press, and ECO Iowa City. For more information, contact: 356-5200, opt. 5;
Where: Iowa City Public Library, Meeting Room A
When: Saturday, April 3; 2-3 p.m.
Make a Rain Barrel and Capture Water for Your Garden
What: Join ECO Iowa City to learn how to make a simple rain barrel to improve water quality and reduce the amount of runoff at your home. Speaker: Chant Eicke, environmental scientist and wetland delineator with EarthView Environmental, LLC.
Where: Iowa City Public Library, Meeting Room A
When: Thursday, April 8; 7 p.m.
Local Foods Connection Fair
What: Meet local farmers and learn how you can enjoy fresh produce throughout Iowa’s growing season!
Where: Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center
When: Saturday, April 10. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Second Sunday Project GREEN Garden Forum: Great Plants for the Great Plains
What: Robert Henrickson is the Assistant Director of Horticulture Programs for the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. He will present plants that are often overlooked, but which are easy to grow and don’t require additional water, fertilizers, or pesticides to thrive. Bob’s visit is co-sponsored by ECO Iowa City and The Second Sunday Garden Forums are sponsored by the Iowa City Public Library and Project GREEN. For more information, contact 356-5200, opt. 4; 351-1149
Where: Iowa City Public Library, Meeting Room A
When: Sunday, April 11; 2-4 p.m.
Waste Reduction and Recycling in Iowa City
What: Where does your garbage go after it leaves your curb or dumpster? How long does it take for materials in a landfill to decompose? Is recycling really that important? What are the City and the University doing to reduce waste and increase recycling? Join Iowa City Recycling Coordinator Jen Jordan and Liz Christiansen, Director of Office of Sustainability at the University of Iowa, to learn about waste reduction and recycling in Iowa City and at the University of Iowa.
Where: Iowa City Public Library, Meeting Room A
When: Tuesday, April 13; 7 p.m.
Iowa City Landfill & Recycling Center Tour
What: Iowa City Landfill & Recycling Center Tour
Where: Iowa City Landfill
When: Saturday, April 17; 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. (1 hour each; limit of 20 people each). Sign up at ICPL
Preschool Storytime: “The Garbage Monster" with Debbie Dunn and Jennifer Jordan
What: “The Garbage Monster” giant puppet, along with Iowa City’s Recycling Coordinator Jenn Jordan, will teach us how to make a dreaded chore more fun, followed by activities and a recycling relay. This is a preschool-age oriented program recommended for children who are 3, 4, or 5 years old. For more information, contact 356-5200, opt. 6.
Where: Iowa City Public Library, Meeting Room A
When: Thursday, April 22; 10:30-11 a.m.
Ecopalooza: Sponsored by the Iowa City Sierra Club and ECO Iowa City
What: Earth Day: Celebrating 40 Years! Featuring three local speakers to discuss past, present and future environmental initiatives.
Where: Iowa City Public Library, Meeting Room A
When: Thursday, April 22 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Family Special: Earth Day School's Out Special
What: Kids can help Mother Earth by learning how to protect the environment and recycle through crafts and activities. Roxane Mitten will demonstrate how to worm wrangle and make garden compost. Other activities include crafts, refreshments (worm dirt cake), and a recycling relay. For more information, contact 356-5200, opt. 6.
Where: Iowa City Public Library, Meeting Room A
When: Saturday, April 24; 10:30-11:30 a.m.
School's Out Special: “Pizza Garden” with Scott Koepke
What: Tomatoes, broccoli, and spinach ... oh my! There’s no school, so what better time for kids to plant their own pizza garden with seedlings provided by Scott Koepke of New Pioneer Food Co-op. Limit of 50 participants. For more information, contact 356-5200, opt. 6
Where: Iowa City Public Library, Meeting Room A
When: Friday, April 30; 1-2 p.m.
First Farmers Market in May
What: Visit the ECO Iowa City booth at the Iowa City Farmers Market to get a coupon for Iowa City Community Compost and view the rain barrel that will be available for purchase the following Saturday, May 8.
Where: Chauncy Swan Parking Ramp – Lower Level
When: Saturday, May 1; 7:30- noon
Rain Barrel Sale
What: Purchase a 55-gallon rain barrel for $40 while supplies last. One per household, Johnson County residents only. Available in black, blue, terra cotta or gray. First-come, first-served for colors. No reservations. Barrels are from Upcycle Products and are food quality barrels that were previously used to ship pickled food overseas.
Where: Iowa City Fire Department Training Center, 1001 S. Clinton St.
When: Saturday, May 8; 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
The Bur Oak Blog
What: Come here to find original interviews with authors and photographers, plant-of-the-week photos and facts to assist your exploration and enjoyment of the natural environment of the Midwest, fun facts about what's going on weekly right outside your window, and announcements of upcoming events for local authors.
Appliance Recycling
What: MidAmerican Energy works with qualified contractors to pickup and dispose of qualifying appliances at no cost to you, and you’ll receive a rebate within four weeks of appliance pickup.
Where: Iowa
When: Schedule a pickup by calling 800-621-2757. Call center hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Report
Iowa City recently completed a comprehensive greenhouse gas emissions inventory which includes a community-wide total of emissions produced within the city limits for the years of 2000 and 2008. Also included in the report is emissions data for the city government and all of the buildings, facilities, processes, and vehicles that the City of Iowa City owns and operates.
This report completes the first of the five milestones in the "Cities for Climate Protection Campaign" which Iowa City has been participant of since 2008. This program is supported by ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, which Iowa City joined after the major signed the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement in 2007. Iowa City is currently in the process of undertaking the next two milestones of the campaign, which will be to adopt an emissions reduction target and develop a climate action plan for the community.
For more information about the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Report, contact Brenda Nations, City of Iowa City Environmental Coordinator.
Vermicomposting Handout
Learn how to create your own worm composting bin. Download the "Steps to Creating a Vermicomposting Bin" handout courtesy of Backyard Abundance.
About ECO Iowa City
Our focus:
- urban composting & local food
- energy conservation
- urban stormwater management
- smart waste disposal
Who will benefit:
Iowa City residents
When:
Spring 2009 to Fall 2010
Managed by:
Iowa City Public Library & the City of Iowa City Public Works Division
Funded by:
International City /County Management Association
How:
With the $57,000 grant, ECO Iowa City will provide a series of opportunities for Iowa City residents, including hands-on workshops, programs and seminars to offer information and free
resources, including:
- seed and start give-a-ways,
- coupons for free Iowa City Community Compost,
- free compact fluorescent bulbs and winterizing kits,
- subsidy for compost bin and rain barrel,
- free smart waste disposal events
For more information contact:
