1000 Friends of Iowa

Iowa Utilities Board Hearings on Bakken Pipeline
2016-02-08 08:00 - 2016-02-11 17:00 (America/Chicago) | IA
The IUB will hold 3 days of deliberations on the Bakken Pipeline’s request for eminent domain. Though there will be no opportunity for public input, strong attendance by the public sends a message to the IUB that people care and are paying attention to their decisions. February 8-11. More information coming soon.

Iowa Caucuses Monday February 1
2016-02-01 19:00 - 21:00 | IA
Monday February 1st, Iowan’s have the unique honor of being the first in the nation to decide who we want as our nominees for President. This is an opportunity for Iowans to set the tone for the nation. In addition to this honor, we have the ability to propose resolutions that we want our respective parties to include in the state platform. as a way to help set the political agenda and ensure that our elected officials know what issues are important to us.
1000 Friends of Iowa has drafted resolutions, based on our issue priorities for you to take to your caucus site to send on to the platform committee for adoption. 2016 Caucus Resolutions

Caucus locations can be found here: http://iowademocrats.org/2016-democratic-caucus-locations/
and here:
https://www.iowagop.org/caucus-locations/

Climate Emergency Caucus
2016-01-29 19:00 - 21:00 | IA
Do you care about climate change and want to ensure the climate message gets out this caucus season? Plan to attend the Climate Emergency Caucus — Friday January 29. More information here.

1000 Friends of Iowa Sustainability and Land Use Lobby Day
2016-01-21 13:00 - 15:00 | Iowa State Capitol, 1007 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50319, United States
January 21, 2016 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Land Use and Sustainability Lobby Day. More information coming soon!

Best Development Awards Ceremony
2016-01-21 11:30 - 12:40 | Iowa State Capitol, 1007 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50319, United States
January 21, 2016 Iowa State Capitol Building from 11:30 am -12:30 pm. First floor rotunda. More information coming soon.

Deadline to submit nominations for the Best Development Awards
2015-12-15 08:00 - 17:00 | IA
December 15, 2015 is the last day to submit nominations for the 2015 best Development Awards. For more information about the awards and for a nomination form, please go here: https://1000friendsofiowa.org/now-accepting-nominations-for-the-2015-best-development-awards/

1000 Friends of Iowa Annual Meeting
2015-12-05 13:00 - 16:00 | Griffieon Farm, 11655 NE 6th Street, Ankeny, IA, United States
Join us December 5, 2015 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Griffieon Farm in Ankeny, IA. For a celebration of the past year and looking forward to exciting things in 2016. We will be joined by very special guests Jim Thompson of Main Street Iowa Project and Ed Fallon of the Fallon Forum, freshly back from the Climate march in Paris.

Bakken Pipeline Resistance Coalition Press Conference & Public Hearing
2015-11-12 08:00 - 17:00 | Boone County Fairgrounds, 1601 Industrial Park Road, Boone, IA, United States
November 12, 2015 8:00 am-5:00 PM Boone County Fairgrounds. press conference and public hearing. Speak out against the Bakken Pipeline, join us for a rally and press conference starting at 8:00 am, followed by the public hearing starting at 9:00 am. More information can be found here.

2015 - U.S. Food Sovereignty Alliance’s - Prize Winners
2015-10-14 19:00 - 21:00 | IA
In 2015, the U.S. Food Sovereignty Alliance’s two prize winners are the Federation of Southern Cooperatives in the U.S., and the Black Fraternal Organization of Honduras. The prizes will be presented on Tuesday, October 14 at the Trinity United Methodist Church, 1548 8th Street in Des Moines, IA at 7:00 p.m.
The Food Sovereignty Prize challenges the view that simply producing more through industrial agriculture and aquaculture will end hunger or reduce suffering. The world currently produces more than enough food, but imbalanced access to wealth means inadequate access to food. Real solutions protect the rights to land, seeds and water of family farmers and indigenous communities worldwide and promote sustainable agriculture through agroecology. Please check out U.S. Food Sovereignty Alliance and Food Sovereignty Prize online.
Contact:
Lisa Griffith, National Family Farm Coalition
US Food Sovereignty Alliance
(773)319-5838
lisa@nffc.net

"Growing Sustainable Communities" Conference in Dubuque on Oct. 6-7
2015-10-06 - 2015-10-07 | IA
The 8th annual Growing Sustainable Communities conference will be held on the Dubuque riverfront in early October. Hosted by the City of Dubuque and Sustainable City Network, the event features two days of education, inspiration and collaboration for those interested in the convergence of economic prosperity, ecological integrity and social/cultural vibrancy in community design and development.
City government professionals will present case studies on sustainability initiatives in the Midwestern communities of Grandview, Mo., Madison, Wis., St. Paul, Minn., South Bend, Ind., Lawrence, Kan., Moline, Ill., and the Iowa communities of Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Davenport, Charles City, Ames, Iowa City and Dubuque. Researchers from seven universities and numerous nonprofits will also present their findings.
The speaker line up includes Beth Osborne, senior policy adviser at Transportation for America and former Acting Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy at the U.S. DOT. She will deliver the Tuesday luncheon keynote address. Gloria Rubio-Cortes, president of the National Civic League and executive editor of the National Civic Review, will deliver the Wednesday morning plenary address; and Peter Kageyama, author and community development consultant will present the Wednesday luncheon keynote address.
Registration information can be found at http://www.gscdubuque.com/

Minicozzi to discuss development areas
2015-08-27 08:00 - 17:00 | Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, Des Moines, IA, United States
Joe Minicozzi of Urban3 LLC will discuss mixed-use developments that cater to pedestrians at 8 a.m. Aug. 27 at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. He will also discuss what types of developments create the best return for local government investments. Networking begins at 7:30 a.m. Urban3 is a consulting company formed by an Asheville, N.C., real estate developer. The keynote address is sponsored by the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, Iowa Economic Development Authority and others. RSVP by Aug. 24 to GreenStreets@iowa.gov.

Smart Growth - Event August 26 & 27
2015-08-26 07:30 - 2015-08-27 09:30 | IA
If a picture is worth a thousand words, consider the maps produced by planner and speaker Joe Minicozzi. For more information, visit http://dmampo.org/events/speaker-joe-minicozzi/.
Minicozzi-Joe-300x225Minicozzi, the principal at consulting company Urban 3, uses three-dimensional illustrations of cities to show value per acre – highlighting the development patterns with the highest return on public investment.
Minicozzi is conducting similar research on Greater Des Moines and will share his observations and findings at a series of events August 26 and 27 in Des Moines. All are open to the public and free to attend. Each presentation will be tailored toward different audiences’ interests.
Wednesday, August 26 – 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, 420 Watson Powell Jr. Way #200, Des Moines
“Viewing Cities as Investment Portfolios”
Why should cities invest in what they’ve already built? What is the connection between the physical design of cities and their fiscal sustainability? How can we maximize returns on our municipal investment portfolios? Please join us for this engaging discussion, looking at a community’s assets-land, tax base, and infrastructure-as a financial investment portfolio. Joe Minicozzi – Municipal and Elected Officials (printable event flier PDF).
RSVP to GreenStreets@iowa.gov
Wednesday, August 26 – 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Modus Engineering, 130 East 3rd Street, Des Moines.
Young Leaders Social and Meet & Greet with Joe Minicozzi
Studies across the United States show that young professionals desire to live and work in places that emphasize walkability and mixed uses. Turns out mixed use, walkable places are often also the types of places that generate the greatest financial returns for business and communities. You are invited to a networking event on the beautiful rooftop patio of Modus Engineering with spectacular views of the Des Moines skyline and the state capitol for an informal meet-&-greet with Joe Minicozzi of Urban3. Joe is a much sought after presenter on the value of investing in walkable, mixed use projects. Joe Minicozzi – Young Leaders Meet & Greet (printable event flier PDF)
RSVP to GreenStreets@iowa.gov
Wednesday, August 26 – 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines
Creating More Fiscally Efficient and Sustainable Cities
How can cities be more fiscally efficient and sustainable? How do counties benefit from maximizing investments in city projects? What types of developments create the quality of life and financial returns that local governments and residents are seeking? Join us in this entertaining presentation and discussion that will have you thinking differently about how cities grow and develop. Joe Minicozzi – General Public (printable event flier in PDF)
RSVP to GreenStreets@iowa.gov
Thursday, August 27 – 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines
“Development Nodes: Good for Business and Cities”
Development nodes are good for businesses and local governments. How can the return on investment in urban and suburban development nodes in the metro area be maximized? How can the business case be bolstered for more investment in walkable, mixed use developments? What types of developments create the best return for city and county investments? Why should we be spending as much time with city finance staff as with city engineering staff in the development process? Join us in a lively discussion as Joe Minicozzi of Urban3 shares the results from a recent study of greater Des Moines metro area development types and the impact of those development types on local government investment portfolios. Joe Minicozzi – Business and Developers (printable event flier in PDF)
RSVP to GreenStreets@iowa.gov
The event is part of The Tomorrow Plan 2015 Speaker Series and is made possible by the following sponsors: Iowa Economic Development Authority, Iowa Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Capital Crossroads and the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Conservation Policy Landowner Workshop
2015-07-31 10:00 - 14:00 | Indian Hills Community College, Centerville, IA, United States
Good morning. I wanted to let PFI farmers and landowners know of an opportunity to provide input on Iowa conservation policy and implementation of conservation programs at the state and federal level.
State and federal officials are looking for input from landowners on conservation policy and implementation of conservation programs. To facilitate this dialogue, Drake University Agricultural Law Center is holding a Conservation Policy Landowner Workshop in Centerville on July 31, 2015.
This regional workshop is part of a larger project supported by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University that will evaluate Iowa’s past and existing conservation policy and provide discussion and guidance on further developments and innovations.
The Conservation Policy Workshop in Centerville will focus on the role of landowners, both farm operators and non-operators, in conservation policy and program implementation. The workshop will be held at Indian Hills Community College – Room 15/16 on July 31, 2015 from 10 – 2. The workshop will allow producers and landowners to provide input on state and federal conservation policy as well as program implementation and contracts with USDA and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Lunch will be provided.
Landowners interested in attending the Centerville Workshop should RSVP Ed Cox at edcox@ommglaw.com or call 641-856-3251. For more information on the state-wide project contact 515-271-4956 or email Matt Russell at matt.russell@drake.edu.
Thanks,
Ed Cox

Pro H2O – Celebrating 20 Years
2015-06-11 18:00 - 21:00 | IA
Are you Pro H2O?
If you swim, paddle or fish in our state’s lakes, rivers and streams; walk, run, hike or bike along our waterways; enjoy seeing Iowa’s wildlife thrive; or use water to care for the land, yourself and your family you are!
Save the date for a special edition of our annual event, Pro H2O, celebrating the Iowa Environmental Council’s 20th anniversary.
Questions? Contact Development Director Jamie Burch at 515-255-1194 x202 or burch@iaenvironment.org

Brownfield Site Restoration and Remediation
2015-05-12 12:00 - 2015-05-14 18:00 | IA
May 12-14, 6-hour online course covering the components of a brownfield transaction and the critical due diligence tasks necessary to complete a successful transaction, including legal, real estate, environmental, financing and risk transfer. Instructed by Mark Selman, P.E. $295. Learn more…

Randy Rodgers Publisher & Executive Editor
Sustainable City Network • www.sCityNetwork.com
801 Bluff St. • Dubuque, IA 52001 • 563-588-3853
For Leaders in Government, Education & Healthcare
Think before you print.

Designing Wayfinding Systems that Extend Your Civic Brand
2015-04-30 13:00 - 14:00 | IA
Thursday, April 30, 1-hour webinar featuring Grant Hayzlett, who has worked with more than 100 civic projects involving signage, furniture and interactive elements that all work together to illustrate and promote a community’s civic brand. Free webinar sponsored by National Sign Plazas. Register now…

Randy Rodgers Publisher & Executive Editor
Sustainable City Network • www.sCityNetwork.com
801 Bluff St. • Dubuque, IA 52001 • 563-588-3853
For Leaders in Government, Education & Healthcare
Think before you print.

Cooling Water Solutions for Power Plant Professionals
2015-04-28 12:00 - 2015-04-29 16:00 | IA
April 28-29, 4-hour online course examining cooling tower fundamentals including basic design details and heat transfer, followed by discussion of chemistry and water treatment issues. Instructed by Brad Buecker and Raymond Post, P.E. $299. Learn more…

Randy Rodgers Publisher & Executive Editor
Sustainable City Network • www.sCityNetwork.com
801 Bluff St. • Dubuque, IA 52001 • 563-588-3853
For Leaders in Government, Education & Healthcare
Think before you print.

The Benefits of Biomass Combined Heat & Power
2015-04-23 13:00 - 14:00 | IA
Thursday, April 23, 1-hour webinar featuring Sullivan County, N.H., Facilities Director John Cressy describing the county’s $3.4 million biomass CHP system. Free webinar sponsored by Hurst Boiler. Register now…

Randy Rodgers Publisher & Executive Editor
Sustainable City Network • www.sCityNetwork.com
801 Bluff St. • Dubuque, IA 52001 • 563-588-3853
For Leaders in Government, Education & Healthcare
Think before you print.

Meet the Author: Dennis Keeney
2015-04-17 18:30 - 20:00 | Beaverdale Books, 2629 Beaver Ave #1, Des Moines, IA, 50310, United States
The Keeney Place
Through a nostalgic reflection of his Iowa farm upbringing, Professor Keeney takes the reader through his personal and professional journey of understanding the true meaning of agricultural change. Despite earning some of the highest honors bestowed by his profession, Dr. Keeney became increasingly disillusioned with industrial agriculture. Through his leadership at Iowa State University’s Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, he regained his confidence in the future of a sustainable agricultural system that will replace today’s factory farms. Dennis R. Keeney was the first Director of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University. He is past president of the Soil Science Society of America, the American Society of Agronomy, and is a Fellow of the American Academy for the Advancement of Science.

11th Annual Golden Silo Awards
2015-04-01 12:00 - 13:30 | Kinze Innovation Center, 2172 M Ave (I-80, Exit 216), Williamsburg, IA, 52361, United States
Silos and Smokestacks Present:
The 11th Annual Golden Silo Awards.
This event will celebrate individuals and organizations who are preserving and telling the story of American agriculture.
Registration Deadline: March 25, 2015
For more information, visit http://www.silosandsmokestacks.org/.

EPC Public Hearing: 4" Topsoil Requirement
2015-03-27 13:00 - 17:00 | Wallace Building Auditorium, 502 E. 9th Street, Des Moines, IA, United States
With the current discussion about impaired waters, run-off, erosion and nitrates in our drinking water – the EPC needs to hear Iowans expect better. To establish healthy landscapes, improve on-site storm water retention, lessen runoff and soil erosion, and improve water quality – we need to retain four inches of healthy soil.
If you are unable to attend the public hearing, comments may be submitted to the Storm Water Coordinator by mail, fax or orally on or before April 1, 2015.
Storm Water Coordinator
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
502 E. 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone: 515-725-8417
Fax: 515-725-8202

2015 Main Street Iowa Application Workshop
2015-03-26 13:00 - 17:00 | Cedar Falls Public Library (2nd floor meeting room), 524 Main Street, Cedar Falls, IA, 50613, United States
Regional application workshop hosted by Main Street Iowa. The workshop will cover topics ranging from the basics of the Main Street Approach® and program services of Main Street Iowa to the mechanics of completing an application in 2015 for Main Street Iowa designation, selection criteria, application distribution and review. Please pre-register for this event to ensure adequate space and materials. Contact Michael Wagler, Main Street Iowa State Coordinator at 515.725.3051 or michael.wagler@iowa.gov with questions.

EPC Public Hearing: 4" Topsoil Requirement
2015-03-25 18:00 | Easter Ave. Branch Library, Room A, 6000 Eastern Avenue, Dubuque, IA, United States

Field Day
2015-03-25 17:30 - 19:00 | Steve and Dennis Berger farm, 1267 Elm Ave, Wellman, IA, 52356, United States
Iowa Learning Farms, along with the Iowa Cover Crop Working Group and Washington County Farm Bureau, will host a field day Wednesday, March 25, from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Steve and Dennis Berger farm, rural Wellman.

2015 Main Street Iowa Application Workshop
2015-03-25 13:00 - 17:00 | Appanoose Rapids Brewing Company, 332 East Main Street, Ottumwa, IA, 52501, United States

2015 Main Street Iowa Workshop
2015-03-23 13:00 - 17:00 | Cliff’s Place, 417 Main Street, Manning , IA, 51455, United States
Regional application workshop hosted by Main Street Iowa. The workshop will cover topics ranging from the basics of the Main Street Approach® and program services of Main Street Iowa to the mechanics of completing an application in 2015 for Main Street Iowa designation, selection criteria, application distribution and review. Please pre-register to ensure adequate space and materials. Contact Michael Wagler, Main Street Iowa State Coordinator at 515.725.3051 or michael.wagler@iowa.gov with questions.

EPC Public Hearing: 4" Topsoil Requirement
2015-03-18 18:00 | City Services Center, Five Seasons Conference Room, 500 15th Avenue SW, Cedar Rapids, IA, United States

2015 Raccoon River Watershed Association Conference
2015-03-07 08:30 - 15:30 | Drake University, Aliber Hall, 2507 University , Des Moines, IA, United States
The Raccoon River Watershed Association will hold their 2015 conference, “Life in the Raccoon River: Water Quality”, on March 7, 2015. There is no cost to attend. Additional details will be added as they’re finalized. The day’s agenda is as follows:
9:00 a.m. – Welcome Steve Roe, President, RRWA
9:05 – 9:50 a.m. – Water Chemistry in the Raccoon presented by Jeff Mitchell, Laboratory Supervisor, Des Moines Water Works
10:00 -10:20 a.m. – Macroinvertebrate bacterial resistance to triclosan at the Outlet Creek (IA) WWTP outfall and potential for downstream resistance migration presented by Ethan Wilson & Alex Schriber, BVU
10:25 -10:45 a.m. – BVU Watershed Research Group presented by Dr. Melinda Coogan, Associate Professor of Biology, Buena Vista University
11:00 – 11:15 a.m. – An Overview of Drake University Research in the Raccoon River presented by Dr. Keith Summerville, Professor of Environmental Science and Policy, Drake University
11:15 – 11:45 a.m. – The Effects of land Use and Land Cover on Benthic Macroinvertebrates in the Raccoon River presented by Rebekah Reynolds, 2015 RRWA Research and Education Grant Recipient, Drake University
12:00 – 1:30 p.m. – Lunch – lunch is on your own, consider bringing a sack lunch and continue the discussion!
1:30 – 2:00 p.m. – Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy presented by James Gillespie, Director, Iowa Division of Soil Conservation, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
2:05 – 3:00 p.m. – Panel on Farming and the Nutrient Loss Problem with Jim Caligiuri, Izaak Walton League, Agriculture Committee chair & John Gilbert, farmer, Practical Farmers of Iowa
3:05 – 3:30 p.m. – Phenology in the Raccoon River, Dr. Lee Searles

9th Annual Iowa Water Conference
2015-03-02 - 2015-03-03 | Scheman Building, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, United States
The theme for the 9th annual Iowa Water Conference is Currents and Currencies: Trends and Motivators for Better Water Management. The conference will be held March 2 and 3, 2015 at the Scheman Building in Ames, Iowa. For additional information and to register visit http://www.aep.iastate.edu/iwc/.

Iowa Cover Crops Conference
2015-02-17 - 2015-02-19 | Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center, 1800 50th Street, West Des Moines, IA, 50266, United States
Iowa Cover Crops Conference highlights include:

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey will share his personal use of cover crops in his own farm operation.
Nearly a dozen farmers will speak about their experiences using cover crops.
Individuals studying and using cover crops in seven Midwestern states will share their latest results from controlled and on‐farm demonstrations.
Agribusinesses will be providing attendees with their latest products and innovations related to cover crops during sessions and as exhibitors.
