Community Climate Action Grants (Iowa City)

Community Climate Action Grants (Iowa City) is sponsored by City of Iowa City, IA. These grants inspire and promote public involvement in implementing Iowa City's Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.

Action Matters: Climate News for March Action Matters: Climate News for March City of Iowa City sent this bulletin at 03/06/2025 02:44 PM CST Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page . March 2025 | Visit us online at www.

icgov. org/climateaction . By the numbers: Climate Action Grants Since 2017, 56 community projects have been funded through Climate Action Grants.

The total dollars invested in the community through Climate Action Grants to date exceed $305,000. Building efficiency and renewable energy projects like solar arrays, LED lighting, window and door improvements, and heat pumps accounted for 24 projects. Do you have a project idea in mind for a Climate Action Grant?

Reach out to our office with questions! 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, 2025. For more information, call 319-887-6161 or visit icgov.

org/ClimateActionGrants . Community garden plot registration is in full swing for spring Community gardening plot renewal runs through March 7. 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 18.

Registrations will be taken in-person at Mercer Park Aquatic Center beginning at 7 a. m. For more information, call 319-356-5100 or visit icgov.

org/GardenPlots . Check out a local video that highlights community gardening as climate action! "It's not just about the vegetables:" Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share sign-ups are open now An estimated 30,000 and 50,000 U.S. consumers belong to a CSA.

Many other individuals might be wondering, "What even is a CSA?" Community Supported Agriculture shares the risks and rewards of small-scale diversified farming. Like investors, CSA members pay upfront for the produce a farmer will provide throughout the season.

This arrangement allows farmers to buy the seeds, transplants, and other inputs they need for the growing season and pay for their farm labor without waiting until harvest to generate revenue. The typical CSA member has an interest in supporting local food and sustainable agriculture, and they also cook with whatever veggies are available in season! A dozen or more CSA farms serve Iowa City residents.

Find the full list at the Iowa State University Extension CSA directory Activities for all ages at this year's Earth Expo On Sat. , April 5, at the 2025 Earth Expo, meet organizations that are committed to sustainability and combating climate change! Enjoy the Sustainable Fashion Show displaying locally sourced, repurposed, and second-hand pieces by community designers and stylists, starting at 2 p.

m. Robert A. Lee Community Rec Center, 220 S.

Gilbert St. Iowa City’s Climate Action Commission meets monthly Access upcoming and past meeting packets at the Climate Action Commission web page . Volunteer for this year's Neighborhood Energy Blitz Let Green Iowa AmeriCorps help you weatherize your home for cost-savings!

Come get instruction and hands-on practice in weatherizing windows and doors to keep your home energy-efficient and comfortable year-round! Sat. , March 8, 9 - 11 a.

m. Environmental Education Building at Eastside Recycling Center, 2401 Scott Blvd. SE Donation drive for Women's History Month The Green Iowa AmeriCorps team is partnering with CommUnity Crisis Services, Shelter House, and Crowded Closet to collect needed resources.

Visit icgov. org/GreenIowa for the full list of donation requests. Drop off items at Iowa City Public Library, 123 South Linn St.

or New Pioneer Co-Op, 22 South Van Buren St. Lecture series from 100 Grannies informs and inspires The Barbara Schlachter and Ann Christenson Memorial Lecture Series 2025 is a partnership between the Iowa City Senior Center (ICSC) and 100Grannies for a Livable Future. Each Wednesday in March, at 3 p.

m. in room 302 of the Senior Center, hear a different engaging speaker on topics such as water quality, plastic pollution, food and agriculture, and the future of climate action. No pre-registration is required and all are welcome!

For more information, visit ICSC's activities registration page online . How do you take climate action? My favorite way to take climate action is through my daily lifestyle and paying attention to my carbon footprint.

I try to follow the refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, recirculate rule. I limit my purchases on new clothing and other household items – I always ask myself, “Do I need this? or just want it?

” Before I purchase anything new, I shop at local resale and thrift stores – we are fortunate to have several in our community! I try to buy food that is locally grown and compost leftovers. I have planted many native grasses and forbs in our back yard.

Weather permitting, I ride my e-bike for as many errands that I can. My husband and I installed a solar array on our house 13 years ago. We are investigating installing a heat pump for our home, and we have a hybrid vehicle and an all-electric vehicle.

Why is it important to take climate action? Climate action is important because I believe it is this generation’s responsibility to be “good ancestors” and protect the Earth for future generations. I am an active member of 100Grannies .

Our mission is to work toward a livable future for all – our motto is Educate, Advocate, Agitate . We educate the community on issues of clean water, clean air, and renewable energy for a healthy sustainable environment. In collaboration with the Senior Center, we sponsor a film series in the fall and a lecture series in the spring on environmental concerns.

We participate in the county fair, parades, and festivals. We communicate with our elected officials and write letters to the editor to advocate for the planet. When necessary, we agitate.

What can others do to take climate action? Individual actions matter – but I believe it is also important to be part of an organization to have more of an impact. By being a member of the 100Grannies, I feel I can have a louder voice to speak out for the environment.

As Bill McKibben, of 350. org says, “join an organization – we are better together. ” More events from around the community: Iowa City Foreign Relations Council discussion series on climate change – events March 7 and 29 In case you missed it: view the recording of the Inclusive Transportation webinar that took place Feb.

25. 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 or call 319-887-6162. facebook. com/CityofIowaCity icgov.

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