If we want to ensure responsible, equitable land use; and we want to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for transportation, we have to start doing things differently. In November 2021, The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was passed. This was a massive bill directing unprecedented amounts of federal dollars to transportation infrastructure – including increased funding for transit, rails, clean transportation, and even some for eliminating some stretches of highways. But it also increased the amount of money that could go to building more highways. This could offset any gains we make from more transit, etc. However, much of these funds are flexible, meaning states and communities have some wiggle room. But our decision makers need to hear from us if we want to make sure that these dollars are spent wisely and in ways that are better for our communities. In the Fall of 2023, along with our partners, we released a report entitled Flex Your Grants: Leveraging Federal Dollars for Clean Transportation. This report looked at various pots of money that could be used for projects that help reduce our reliance on personal vehicles and gives examples for what some cities and states are doing. The Advocacy Tool Kit is a guide on how to influence transportation decisions in your state and how federal dollars are spent. Check out the Tool Kit Here!
All posts by Kari Carney
Leveraging Federal Funds for Clean Transportation!
This summer, 1000 Friends of Iowa has worked with our partners in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan to ensure Federal Transportation dollars are being spent on clean transportation options, such as transit, and other multi-modal options. As part of this work we commissioned a report from the Shared Use Mobility Center called “Flex Your Grants! Leveraging federal dollars for clean transportation projects.”
This report explores different pots of funding and how it can be used for something other than more highways. The report also gives examples of how the funds have been used in other states & communities. Check out the report here:
Click to access FlexYourGrants_Final_September2023.pdf
Stay tuned for ways you can get involved with influencing how federal dollars are spent!
Transportation for People and the Climate
Check out this new report by 1000 Friends of Iowa and our partners at the REAMP Network. The report looks at how land use and transportation show up in climate plans and how climate is reflected in comprehensive land use plans and transportation plans. The report explores with communities in 5 states have done, shares best practices, and recommendations. Check it out by clicking here.
Community Conversations
While most of us have been staying at home during Covid-19, we have been working with sustainability teams across central Iowa to do webinars on critical topics and plan for how to move forward equitable climate and sustainability action on the local level. Check out these community conversations Below:
100% Clean Renewable Cities Panel Discussion
Sustainable City Code with Johnathan Rosenbloom
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories and UNI’s CEEE
The Intersection of Urban Food Systems and Climate Change
DSM Urban Forest Master Plan and Climate Change
Climate Action – Leading with an Equity Lens
Land use, transportation, sustainability, and climate change – webinars and trainings for Cities, Counties and Planners
1000 Friends of Iowa, along with our partners, have started a series of webinars on key topics of interest and importance to city and county staff and planners across the state.
Please check out our first two webinars and stay tuned for more to come! If you have topics for webinars that you would like to have, just email us at Kari@1000friendsofiowa.org
- Webinar 1: Zoning for Solar
- Webinar 2: EV Ready Communities
- Webinar 3: Comprehensive planning with a Climate and Sustainability lens (Coming in February 2022).
- Webinar 4: Transportation Planning to Reduce VMTs (Coming in April 2022)
Hiring for Temporary Sponsorship Fundraising Position.
1000 Friends of Iowa is seeking an independent contractor for at least a two to three month contract to coordinate our Best Development Awards Sponsorship Program.
Our Best Development Awards is a 19-year old awards program that recognizes smart growth and sustainable development in Iowa.
A successful candidate must have strong communication skills, be organized, detail oriented and able to work independently. Candidate should have experience with fundraising, prospecting, and direct donor asks; and should be proficient with social media, email, and familiar with Google drive.
Scoop of Work includes, but is not limited to:
Coordinate and implement all tasks related to the 1000 Friends of Iowa Sponsorship program. Tasks include, but are not limited to:
- Updating and revising sponsorship materials and create other promotional materials
- Updating and adding to prospect list
- Coordinating the mailing of sponsorship ask letters and emails
- Conduct follow up calls to make the ask for sponsorships
- Coordinate fulfillment of “benefits” for sponsors
- Create sponsorship acknowledgement materials
- Communicate KFOI mission, values and Best Development Awards program goals.
This position could be extended for the right candidate to do ongoing and reoccuring sponsorship & fundraising work
Anyone interested in this position should submit a resume and cover letter to kari@1000friendsofiowa.org or call 515-288-5364 for more information. More information about the Best Development Awards can be found at www.1000friendsofiowa.org.
Climate Action at the local level
DES MOINES: The city of Des Moines is one step closer to moving forward with developing a climate action plan. On May 6, 2019, during a City Council work session, Eric Giddens of the University of Northern Iowa Center on Energy and Environmental Education discussed the results of a newly completed Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for the city of Des Moines. Check it out here.
The city of Des Moines adopted the energy and water benchmarking ordinance at its June 3rd meeting. The much-watered down ordinance that was passed is not the end of it. The council will revisit the ordinance and a proposed change in August.
Later in the year, the city of Des Moines will be voting to approve an MOU with UNI’s Center for Energy and environmental Education to start the process of creating a citywide climate action plan! These efforts are being lead by the Des Moines Citizens Taskforce on Sustainability.
IOWA CITY: The city of Iowa City adopted a Climate Action plan in 2018. Check out their plan here. We appreciate the cities leadership in creating and adopting the plan. Now we must ensure the city implements to GHG reduction steps laid out in the plan. Stay tuned for how you can get involved.
AMES: The city has established key energy goals to reduce their green house gas emissions. In addition, the city is in the process of updating their greenhouse gas emissions inventory and creating a community solar garden. A community group – the Ames Climate Action Team – has formed to help push the city to do even more to address climate change.
Celebrate smart development
1000 Friends of Iowa is pleased to celebrate the winners of the 2017 Best Development Awards. The Awards Program showcases projects that exemplify the connections between building, land, and natural resource development and quality of life. With a mission focused on responsible land use, 1000 Friends of Iowa promotes smart growth planning principles that help achieve socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable communities. The public is invited to recognize our award recipients with us.
The projects recognized in this year’s awards are located in the following cities: Charles City, Clive, Denison, Des Moines, Dubuque, Glidden, Marshalltown, Muscatine, Norwalk, Sioux City, Waterloo. Find details on the award-winning projects at http://1000friendsofiowa.org/2017-best-development-award-winners/
What: 2017 Best Development Awards Ceremony
When: January 16, 2018, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Where: Iowa State Capitol Building, 1st Floor Rotunda
2017 Best Development Award Nominations
Edited Nov. 29, 2017: Thank you for your interest! Nominations closed on Nov 17, 2017. Please join us for the Awards Ceremony.
Everyone is welcome to attend our Awards Ceremony to celebrate our winners — Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. A light lunch will be served at the beautiful Capitol Rotunda beforehand.
Want to do more to help? Volunteer to set up and tear down by sending email to awards@1000friendsofiowa.org
Become a Sponsor for the 2018 BDA!
1000 Friends of Iowa’s Best Development Awards – Become a sponsor!
Iowa communities are facing turning points; how they move forward impacts Iowa for generations to come.
Showcasing Iowa’s very best works raises the bar, encouraging and inspiring tomorrow’s efforts to higher levels of sustainability.
With 15 years of project winners and more to come, the Best Development Awards create a platform of sustainable growth models that are innovative, economically viable, and serve their communities well.
The Best Development Awards recognizes projects in 12 categories:
- Residential – New, Renovated
- Commercial – New, Renovated
- Civic – New, Renovated
- Mixed Use Space
- Innovative Leadership
- Storm Water Management
- Transportation/Complete Streets
- Renewable Energy
- Urban Placemaking/Green Space
Timeline: Award nominations open September 1, 2018. Nominees are judged by independent jurors in December and the awards ceremony is January 22, 2019.
Your generous, tax-deductible sponsorship gift will enable us to amplify awareness of innovative development works and further inspire residents, cities, businesses, and organizations to do well by Iowa’s resources. Won’t you become a sponsor today?
To download the full sponsorship packet, click here.
To make a sponsorship gift, click here.
Sponsorship Benefits:
To see and read more about winners, check out The Iowan Magazine feature on 2015 winners: http://bit.ly/29SV8Xh and go to http://1000friendsofiowa.org/our- programs/best-development-awards/