NewsroomSave the date for these programs, all part of ECO Iowa City’s Celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day. For more events and news about ECO Iowa City, visit http://www.icpl.org/eco-iowa-city/.
ECO Iowa City Film: Blue Gold—World Water Wars
Friday, March 26, 7-9 p.m. @ ICPL, Room A
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; refquest@icpl.org; or visit http://www.bluegold-worldwaterwars.com/. Co-sponsored by The Iowa City Foreign Relations Council.
Improving Water Quality—Starting With Your Property
Thursday, April 1; 7 p.m. @ ICPL, Room A
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. For more information, visit http://www.agriculture.state.ia.us/FieldServices/urbanConservation.asp.
ECO Iowa City Film: The Great Squeeze — Surviving the Human Project
Friday, April 2; 7-9 p.m. @ ICPL, Room A
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; refquest@icpl.org; or visit http://www.thegreatsqueeze.com/. Co-sponsored by The Iowa City Foreign Relations Council.
A Watershed Year—Anatomy of the Iowa Floods of 2008 by Connie Mutel
Saturday, April 3; 2-3 p.m. @ ICPL, Room A
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; refquest@icpl.org; or visit http://www.uipress.uiowa.edu/books/2010-spring/mutel-water.htm.
Make a Rain Barrel and Capture Water for Your Garden
Thursday, April 8; 7 p.m. @ ICPL, Room A
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. For more information, visit http://www.earthviewenvironmental.com/.
Second Sunday Project GREEN Garden Forum: Great Plants for the Great Plains
Sunday, April 11; 2-4 p.m. @ ICPL, Room A
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; or visit http://www.projectgreen.org/gardenforums.htm.
Waste Reduction and Recycling in Iowa City
Tuesday, April 13; 7 p.m. @ ICPL, Room A
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. For more information, visit http://www.icgov.org/default/?id=1614 or http://sustainability.uiowa.edu/.
Iowa City Landfill & Recycling Center Tour
Saturday, April 17; 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. (1 hour each; limit of 20 people each). Sign up at ICPL.
Take a tour of the Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center and learn about landfill engineering, groundwater protection, methane collection, state diversion goals, and waste reduction programs including composting, recycling, household hazardous waste disposal and more. Don’t forget to wear your boots! For more information, visit http://www.icgov.org/default/?id=1614.
Preschool Storytime: “The Garbage Monster” with Debbie Dunn and Jennifer Jordan
Thursday, April 22; 10:30-11 a.m. @ ICPL, Room A
“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.
Ecopalooza: Sponsored by the Iowa City Sierra Club and ECO Iowa City
Thursday, April 22 @ ICPL, Room A
4:00-5:30 p.m. – Come learn about local environmental groups and how you can get involved!
5:30-6:30 p.m. – Earth Day: Celebrating 40 Years! Featuring three local speakers to discuss past, present and future environmental initiatives.
For more information, visit http://iowa.sierraclub.org/icag/ or http://www.icpl.org/eco-iowa-city/.
Family Special: Earth Day SOS
Saturday, April 24; 10:30-11:30 a.m. @ ICPL, Room A
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.
First Farmers Market in May
Saturday, May 1; 7:30- noon @ Chauncy Swan Parking Ramp – Lower Level
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. For more information, visit http://www.icgov.org/default/?id=1108.
Rain Barrel Sale
Saturday, May 8; 8 a.m.-1 p.m. @ Iowa City Fire Department Training Center, 1001 S. Clinton St.
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. For more information, visit http://www.upcycle-products.com/.
What is ECO Iowa City?
It is an 18-month-long initiative, funded by a grant awarded last spring by the International City/County Management Association, which allows the Iowa City Public Library and the City of Iowa City Recycling Division to combine forces with community groups and local governmental agencies to improve environmental sustainability in Iowa City. The grant focuses on urban composting and local food, energy conservation, urban stormwater management and smart waste disposal. For more information, visit http://www.icpl.org/eco-iowa-city.
For more information, contact:
Maeve Clark
Information Services Coordinator
Iowa City Public Library
319-887-6004
maeve-clark@icpl.org
Jen Jordan
Recycling Coordinator
Public Works Division
319-887-6160
jennifer-jordan@iowa-city.org
