September 2019
First Hearing City of Des Moines Proposed Zoning Code
Join us at the City Council Chambers on September 9 for the first public hearing on the proposed zoning code. This code is a complete overhaul of what the city had before. And though we like a lot of what is in it -- form-based code, an emphasis on walkable neighborhoods, reduction of minimum parking requirements, and updated solar regulations -- there are things we want to see changed. Specifically, it is important to remove any minimum house size requirements…
Find out more »Impact of Climate Policies Workshop with MIT researcher Travis Franck
An interactive Climate Action Workshop with Boston-area climate scientist Dr. Travis Franck will be Sunday, Sept. 29, 1-4 p.m. in Waveland Hall at Plymouth Congregational UCC, 42ndand Ingersoll. The workshop, sponsored by the Plymouth Creation Care & Justice Coalition, studies the effects of specific policies and tactics used to address climate change. Dr. Franck, a program director for Washington. D.C.-based Climate Interactive, employs En-ROADS Climate Solution Simulator, a model that calculates the impacts on the environment of various actions. En-ROADS, developed…
Find out more »November 2019
Taking a stand for the Land – 1000 Friends of Iowa Annual Meeting
Join us for Taking a Stand for the Land – reviving the sponge! 1000 Friends of Iowa Annual Meeting When: Saturday, November 23, 2019 Where: Cherry Glen Learning Center, 3989 NW 94th Ave, Polk City, IA 50226 What Time: 10:00 am-3:00 pm Register today! Join us for a day packed with information, old and new friends, great food and fun. With a focus on soil restoration and watershed management, we’ll start the day with a tour of the Cherry Glen…
Find out more »January 2020
Best Development Awards Ceremony and Luncheon
Join us Tuesday, January 21 at the Iowa State Capitol Building for 1000 Friends of Iowa's Best Development Awards Luncheon and Ceremony. We will be located in the first floor rotunda. Join us in celebrating amazing projects from across Iowa that embody the principles of responsible land use, smart growth and sustainable development. We will be recognizing 13 projects in nine categories chosen by a panel of expert jurors. The projects are from across the state and are models of…
Find out more »August 2021
Heal House Solar Project Ribbon Cutting
Join us on Wednesday, August 11 at 10 am for the ribbon cutting of the new Heal House Solar Project in Indianola, IA. The Indianola Sustainability Committee, which focuses on helping the City of Indianola move forward their sustainability goals, including responsible land use and conserving resources, wanted to do something special when a homeless advocate purchased an abandoned motel and renovated it into a homeless shelter. Along with partners, including 1000 Friends of Iowa, the group, through the Warren…
Find out more »September 2021
Des Moines Area Green Stormwater Infrastructure Bike Tour
Join us Wednesday, September 8th for a great two-hour tour of green stormwater infrastructure along the Gay Lea Wilson Trail. Meet @ Mally’s Park Trail Head 5792 NE Berwick Dr. Berwick, IA. Tour begins at 4:30 pm For several years, the Des Moines metro has been hit hard by floods. One of the best ways to deal with flooding is to restore our landscape so that it is better equipped to handle the water. Come on the tour to check…
Find out more »January 2022
1000 Friends of Iowa Annual Membership Meeting
Join us Wednesday, January 12 at 5:30 for our virtual Annual Membership Meeting.
Find out more »Best Development Awards Ceremony
Join us Thursday, January 27 at 11:00 am for our annual Best Development Awards Ceremony! Our Best Development Awards is a highly respected awards program. The awards ceremony is an anticipated event at the Statehouse each January, attended by recipients, community members, and legislators. The awards showcase projects that employ the principals of smart growth, utilize the most resilient, efficient, and thoughtful development practices in different categories including: Renovated Commercial Transportation/Complete Streets Innovative Leadership (Small and Large Community categories) Renewable…
Find out more »June 2022
Leveraging Federal Infrastructure Dollars for Clean Transportation
Join 1000 Friends of Iowa and the Des Moines Area MPO on Thursday, June 2 at 11:00 am central for a great webinar on how cities can leverage federal infrastructure funds to advance clean transportation. We will be joined by Beth Osborne from Transportation for America, who will walk us through the opportunities presented to local governments for investments in transit, walking, biking, rolling, electrification, and other climate-informed transportation allocations. Don’t miss out! Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fr3wCdZbRvC2nSoSIMVslg
Find out more »December 2022
Walk, Pedal, Ride — Saving our landscapes by changing our streetscapes
Join us for our 24th annual meeting - a day packed with information, old and new friends, great food and fun. With a focus on transportation, we’ll get a sneak peek at a new report by 1000 Friends of Iowa, 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, MoveMN, and Transit Riders United which looks at how transportation and land use shows up in climate plans and if those goals are reflected in comprehensive land use plans and local transportation plans. We will follow this with great speakers who will discuss what it is going to take to get people out of their cars and on the bus or using other modes of transportation. They’ll talk about the challenges and ways that we can get involved. We will follow up with a delicious lunch and plans for the coming year!
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