1000 Friends of Iowa

Water, Prairies, & Climate Change: Iowa’s Environment in Historical Perspective
2016-11-08 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Old Capitol Museum, Senate Chamber, 21 N Clinton St., Iowa City, IA, 52242, United States
Iowa has been called the most radically transformed environment in the U.S. How has this transformation affected Iowa, the Midwest, and beyond? What will the future bring as climate change influences Iowa? How has Iowa contributed to climate change? Author Connie Mutel and UI School of Urban and Regional Planning Director Chuck Connerly talk about their mutual interest in the history and future of Iowa’s environment and its connections to global climate change.
Click here for more information.

Women Caring for the Land
2016-11-10 09:00 - 15:00 | Stanhope Library, 665 Iowa St., Stanhope, IA, 50246, United States
Women Caring for the Land incorporates a women-only, peer-to-peer informal discussion alongside an afternoon visit to see and discuss conservation practices in action.
As estimates indicate that women now own or co-own nearly half the farmland in the Midwest, many wonder whether they are doing all they can to improve soil and water quality while maintaining high agricultural productivity. Maintaining healthy soil is the key to productivity and environmental health for our farmland. Women landowners who attend this meeting will learn to assess and improve the health of their soils.
The meeting starts at 9 a.m. with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m, continental breakfast and lunch provided. We will finish up with closing discussion and dessert by 3 p.m. This meeting is sponsored by WFAN and Prairie Rivers of Iowa.
For registration information, contact Kayla Hasper at 515-232-0048 or click here for more information.

2016 Iowa Organic Conference
2016-11-13 14:00 - 2016-11-14 17:00 | University of Iowa Memorial Union, 125 North Madison St., Iowa City, IA, 52245, United States
The Iowa State University Organic Agriculture Program invites you to experience the 16th Annual Organic Conference on Sunday evening, Nov. 13 and Monday, Nov. 14 in the Iowa Memorial Union at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. The conference will feature roundtable discussion and an organic luncheon, as well as information from keynote speaker Fred Iutzi, President of the Land Institute. Workshops on a wide variety of organic crop and livestock topics will also take place.
For conference details, schedules, pricing, and more, visit sustainability.uiowa.edu/2016-iowa-organic-conference/

1000 Friends of Iowa Annual Meeting
2016-12-03 10:00 - 16:00 | Cherry Glen Learning Farm, 3989 NW 94th Ave., Polk City, IA, United States
1000 Friends of Iowa invites you to join us Saturday, Dec. 3, for our 18th annual meeting. The annual meeting will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cherry Glen Learning Farm in Polk City, IA. We’ll start with a tour of the farm, followed by great speakers, including organic farmer and soil fertility scientist Dr. Francis Thicke, plus hands-on workshops and a free screening of the documentary Dirt! The Movie. Click here to register!
For more information, contact kfoi@1000friendsofiowa.org

Stand with Iowa December 15, 2016
2016-12-15 08:00 - 17:00 | Polk County Court House, 500 Mulberry St, Des Moines, IA, United States
Stand With Iowa December 15th!
Iowa Needs You!
CALLING ALL WATER PROTECTORS & PIPELINE FIGHTERS FROM ACROSS THE MIDWEST
Stand up for Iowa! Protect our soil, water, health, climate, and future.
Join with pipeline fighters and water protectors from across the Midwest on Thursday, December 15th in Des Moines, Iowa.
We will stand with Bakken Pipeline Resistance Coalition partners Iowa Sierra Club and BOLD Iowa at their day in court. Together, we will stand for the Missouri, Des Moines, South Skunk, and Mississippi Rivers. We will stand with the Iowa landowners contesting abuse of eminent domain. We will stand for the protection of our children, our communities, and our futures.
We need a big crowd, and we need you there! The state needs to see that our numbers are growing!
What: Stand with Iowa Rally! to tell Iowa’s courts they must shut this pipeline down
Where: Polk County Courthouse, 500 Mulberry St. Des Moines, IA
Date: Thursday, December 15th
Time: Gather at 8 AM outside courthouse; hearing from 9 am to 11 am; march to Cowles Common 11: 15 am; Rally at Cowles Common at 11:30 am
More information: Visit our facebook event page or this website for updates
We will meet at the courthouse at 8 am to fill the room with water protectors! Together, we will stand with those testifying on behalf of Iowa’s land and water. Please respect courthouse rules: no signs, no phones inside the courthouse (outside at the rally ok). Pipeline fighter t-shirts are ok. Following the hearing, we will march four blocks to Cowles Common for a rally. Tweet #StandForIowa and #NoDAPL to show your solidarity and support!
We’ve been mad ever since the Iowa Utilities Board, relying on empty promises and misinformation from Dakota Access, threw Iowans under the bus when it approved the Dakota Access’ Bakken pipeline last March. Now, on December 15th, we will finally get our day in court when lawyers representing both landowners and water and soil protectors appear before an appeals judge to show that the IUB, in approving the pipeline, violated legal precedent and ignored the safety of Iowa’s soil, water, and, most importantly, its citizens.
Make no mistake; even if Dakota Access were to complete the pipeline construction, and even if it were to begin transporting its water-threatening, climate-disrupting fracked oil, the court has the authority to shut it down. This historic legal proceeding provides the perfect backdrop for all of us opposed to the pipeline to stand together and demand that the injustice perpetrated by Governor Branstad’s unelected, three-person board be undone.
We need you on the 15th to stand with us to protect Iowa’s rivers, soil, communities, climate, and public health! We are on the right side of history and we won’t back down.
In solidarity,
The Bakken pipeline Resistance Coalition

AARP's The Missing Middle
2016-12-16 08:00 - 10:00 | Des Moines University Olsen Center, 3200 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, United States
Age-Friendly Greater Des Moines
Join AARP and the volunteer and community leaders of the Greater Des Moines Age-Friendly Initiative for the fourth annual report to the community, featuring special guest Daniel Parolek.
A national thought leader in architecture, design, and urban planning, Mr. Parolek will speak on the concept of Missing Middle Housing. He’ll address how these types of developments are helping to meet the growing demand for age-friendly housing and walkable urban living.
Please RSVP at: http://aarp.cvent.com/events/aarp-iowa-age-friendly-greater-des-moines-ia-12-16-16/event-summary-1a2414b2e88a4096b8060a25d11c66a9.aspx

Show your support for Des Moines Sustainability Taskforce at City Council!
2016-12-19 04:30 - 19:30 | Des Moines City Council Chambers, 400 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines, IA, United States
In August, the Des Moines City Council met to set priorities for 2017 for the city’s strategic plan. One of the priorities that the council identified at the workshop meeting was the creation of a sustainability task force.
The taskforce was the idea of a group of Des Moines area organizations, including 1000 Friends of Iowa. the purpose of the task force is to help the City of Des Moines achieve a 5 star rating with Star Communities Network – with a focus on addressing climate change and environmental justice.
Monday, December 19 at 4:30 pm the city council will officially vote on the priorities that they identified., including the task force. Please join us to support the task force!

Benefit Show to continue help for Water Protectors
2016-12-23 20:00 | Bogg’s Hull Ave Tavern, 834 Hull Ave, Des Moines, IA, United States
Benefit show at Bogg’s Hull Ave Tavern all proceeds will go to help Mississippi Stand.
Des Moines Live presents:
Agrinex
https://www.facebook.com/Agrinex.Black.Metal/
Primal Breath
https://www.facebook.com/Primal-Breath-118844914853353/
Curseword
https://www.facebook.com/curseworddsm/
Still Shine Railroad
https://www.facebook.com/still.railroad?fref=ts
Ghostbusters
8pm
-$5 suggested donation that goes directly to Mississippi Stand.
-A BATTLE WAS WON BUT THE WAR IS FAR FROM OVER! We won at Standing Rock but still have water protectors with Mississippi Stand who badly NEED OUR HELP and are working RIGHT HERE IN IOWA! Their legal fund is all but diminished and these people are fighting to protect clean drinking water for ALL OF US and ALL OF OUR CHILDREN. There is a link in the posts for more information, and the total amount raised will be announced at the end of the show!
-Also this will be an awesome night full of some of Des Moines best local bands at one of our oldest watering holes..so show up for the music or for the cause or both but show up!

West Des Moines Public Meeting on Veterans Parkway and Bike Trail
2017-01-04 17:30 - 19:30 | West Des Moines City Hall, Council Chambers, 4200 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, IA, United States
The City of West Des Moines is holding a public meeting for landowners and other stakeholders to give input on possible alternative routes for the proposed Veterans Parkway expansion. The expansion of this up-to-six lane highway will have a serious impact on the Great Western Bike Trail and greenway, and on neighboring land owners. To see the proposed alternatives – follow this link.

Best Development Awards Ceremony
2017-01-19 11:30 - 13:30 | Iowa State Capitol Building First Floor Rotunda, 1007 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, United States
Join us Thursday, January 19 at the Iowa State Capitol Building to recognize this year’s winners of 1000 Friends of Iowa’s Best Development Awards!
The ceremony will start at noon and will be located in the first Floor Rotunda. Lunch will be provided before the ceremony begins.
The Best Development Awards recognizes communities, businesses and individuals who are doing development with sustainability in mind. These are projects that show us there is a better way to do things and these projects can serve as models for others.
Please register for the event by clicking here.
Come early and meet with your legislators to talk bout land use issues! We’ll provide talking points and handouts.

Beekeeping classes
2017-01-24 06:00 - 2017-02-28 20:00 | Cherry Glen Learning Farm, 3989 NW 94th Ave., Polk City, IA, United States
Cherry Glen Farm will be hosting Beekeeping classes–each class includes hands-on activities. We also host on-site field days

If an adult attends one child can attend free
Tuesday evenings, Jan.24-Feb. 28; 6:00-8:00 PM
Saturday mornings, Jan 28-March 4: 8:00-10:00 AM
Cost: $40

Register at: cherryglenfarmiowa@gmail.com
515-450-1207 or 515-619-9014

People's Climate Movement Des Moines
2017-04-29 13:00 - 15:00 | Iowa State Capitol West Terrace, 1007 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, Iowa, 50319, United States
On Saturday April 29, Iowans from across the state will join together at the People’s Climate Rally in Des Moines, IA to stand up for good jobs, environmental justice and clean energy. At the same time Iowa will take a stand to oppose the dismantling of the Clean Power Plan, the expansion of fossil fuels, and the weakening of provisions that support renewable energy, equity and creation of good jobs.
Though the focus of the event is serious, there will be fun for the entire family. The day will be interspersed with music, great speakers and activities for young and old!
Who: The People’s Climate Movement Rally Des Moines, IA
When: Saturday, April 29 from1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: West Terrace on the Iowa State Capitol Grounds
What: Music, great speakers and kids activities
RSVP: http://bit.ly/2paX7kk
David Osterberg from the Iowa Policy Project will be the emcee for the event. There will be music featuring Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Dartanyan Brown, and Native American drummers. Numerous organizations from around the state will have booths and there will be kids activities including kite making and kite flying, art areas and games for kids as well.
The People’s Climate Movement Des Moines is a coalition of thirty organizations, Churches, scientists and more, who are joining together to find real solutions to the climate crisis while supporting good jobs, social justice and clean energy. Organizations include 1000 Friends of Iowa, Central Iowa Sierra Club, and the Bakken Pipeline Resistance Coalition. Please RSVP at: http://bit.ly/2paX7kk.
Click here for location information.

Shirm/Stephenson Prairie Remnant Tour Sunday June 25 3:30 pm
2017-06-25 15:30 | Shirm/Stepenson Prairie, 3067 Pleasant View Trail , Peru, IA, 50222, United States
This tour, near Peru, IA is one you won’t want to miss! It’s a rare opportunity to see an “off the beaten path” gem of remnant prairie, prairie reconstruction, and savanna managed for over 20 years. The management goal was to improve habitat for hunting.
Dress for grassland and woodland setting. Bring water and bug repellent. Mobility aids will be present, so don’t let that prevent your attendance. We hope to have Pheasants Forever members as our guests as well. See you on the prairie!!

Address: 3067 Pleasant View Trail — Take Peru Road to the stop sign in the town of Peru. Turn South on Odell Ave. Odell Ave. will quickly turn into Brown Street. Proceed West on Brown Street out of town (the road will turn into Gravel). The gravel road will come to a Y intersection. Bear LEFT and then quickly LEFT again on Pleasant View Trail. After approximately 2 miles, take the grade B road RIGHT where a log home is located. Look for parking directions at this destination.

Des Moines Sustainability Tour July 26
2017-07-26 13:50 - 17:10 | 400 E Court Ave Des Moines, IA, 400 E Court Ave, Des Moines, IA, United States
Wednesday July 26 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm the Des Moines Citizens Sustainability TaskForce (which 1000 Friends of Iowa is part of), will host a Sustainability Tour in Des Moines Iowa.
Among those attending the tour are: Des Moines City Council members, Mayor Cownie, Polk County Supervisors, members of the Planning and Zoning Commission, and others interested in a sustainable Des Moines.
The tour will highlight existing projects within the city limits that were designed with sustainability in mind. Projects include:
— A park shelter that is LEED Certified and incorporates sustainable elements such as stormwater mitigation, rain gardens, and geothermal heating and cooling.
— A residence that is in the process of being rehabbed with sustainability and renewable energy elements. The house incorporated a non-profit’s programming into the rehab design. In includes rainwater collection, repurposed construction material that resulted in zero construction waste, compost tumblers from barrels, and a basement that has been converted for vertical farming and hydroponics, as well as youth programming.
— Two projects that won a 1000 Friends of Iowa Best Development Award. Both projects started by renovating existing structures and incorporating solar and numerous other sustainable features. One is a mixed use building (shown in photo) and the other is a business.
— A stormwater and watershed restoration project at Easter Lake.
DART is providing a bus for the tour and will pick us up at 400 E Court in the parking lot. Space on the bus is limited, so please RSVP soon.
Please RSVP by emailing: Kari@1000friendsofiowa.org or calling 515-288-5364.
For those who would like to join for just a portion of the tour or need to drive on their own, the tour route is:
1:50 p.m. Meet at the back parking lot of City Hall, 400 E. Court Ave., to board bus
2:05 p.m. – 2:20 p.m. Stop #1 — 1650 Garfield Ave. – MLK, Jr. Shelter House (Ward 2)
2:40 p.m.- 3:00 p.m. Stop #2 — 1409 16th St. — Homes 4 My Peeps Sustainable Project home (Ward 1)
3:10 p.m.- 3:40 p.m. Stop #3 – 800 19th St. (corner of 19th and Center Street) – Green and Main – 2016 BDA winner for Renovated Mixed Use Building (Ward 3)
3:50 p.m. – 4:20 p.m. Stop #4 — 130 E. 3rd St. — Market One Building – 2016 BDA winner for Renovated Commercial Building (Ward 4)
4:30 p.m. – 4:50 p.m. Stop #5 — Easter Lake Watershed Project (Ward 4)
5:00-5:10 p.m. Drop off at City Hall, 400 E Court Ave.

RDG Planning and Design - 2018 Design Residency
2018-10-24 - 2018-10-25 | RDG Planning and Design, 301 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 500309, United States
JOIN US:
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23 – 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Welcome Ceremony
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24 – 8:00 am – 9:45 am Introductory Panel
Kick-off Design Residency with the vision, program structure and goals. Presenters provide an overview into climate resilience followed by a curated panel discussion. Confirmed participants include:
• Eric Weiland, Advisor/Program Manager – FEMA
• Jonathan Rosenbloom, Dwight D. Opperman Distinguished Professor of Law; Director, Environment and
Sustainability Program – Drake University Law School
10:00 am – 11:45 am City Administrators Panel
Defining the role city and community leaders play in addressing resilience issues. Sharing real-world experience with crisis events and attempts at implementing resilience planning and policy.
Discussing obstacles communities face in shaping and implementing resilience planning and policy. Confirmed participants include:
• Laura Graham, Sustainability Coordinator – City of Des Moines, Iowa
• Jonathan Gano, Public Works Manager – City of Des Moines, Iowa
• Dan Holderness, City Engineer – City of Coralville, Iowa
• Matt McQuillen, City Manager – City of Clive, Iowa
11:45 am – 1:30 pm Lunch / Walking Tour of Des Moines
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm Economics and Risk Management Panel
Describe the critical role economic issues play in shaping community development and resilience.
Discuss economic obstacles that communities face in shaping resilience planning and policy
Confirmed participants include:
• David Keiser, Natural Resource Economics – Iowa State University
• David Courard-Hauri, Economics and Environmental Policy – Drake University
3:15 pm – 4:30 pm Policy and Risk Planning Design Charrette
4:45 pm – 5:30 pm Website Visioning Charrette
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Dinner / Happy Hour
6:30 pm Resident Work Session

20 Years - Taking a Stand for the Land - Annual Meeting and Celebration
2018-10-27 10:00 - 16:00 | University of Northern Iowa’s (UNI) Center For Energy & Environmental Education, 8106 Jennings Drive Cedar Falls, IA, Cedar Falls, IA, 50614, United States
Join us October 27 for our 20th Anniversary Annual Meeting. From 10:00 pm to 4:00 pm, with our special guest Eric Giddens, Energy Program Manager for Community Energy and Climate Action at the UNI’s Center for Energy and Environmental Education. We’ll also have a “walking workshop” led by the Tallgrass Prairie Center, a story telling panel sharing stories and insights from the past 20 years of 1000 Friends of Iowa and much more!
Registration is $35 per individual/$60 per couple for members or $45 per individual/$70 per couple for non-members.
Center for Energy and Environmental Education,
8106 Jennings Dr, Cedar Falls, IA
October 27, 2018 10:00 am -4:00pm
Eric Giddens
Register today by clicking here!

Food Access in Your Neighborhood
2018-11-01 18:00 - 20:00 | Martin Luther King Jr Community Center 1650 Garfield Ave, Des Moines, IA 50316, 1650 Garfield Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50316, United States
Whether it is the lack of a grocery store, farmers market, community gardens, or fresh, affordable, and healthy food – We need better access to food in all of our neighborhoods.
We know with the impacts of climate change, the issue of food access will get even worse.
Come help us give the City of Des Moines ideas on how to improve food access for ALL residents. Join us for a free dinner, activities for kids, some take-home ideas and items, and most importantly… opportunities to let your voice be heard.
Thursday, November 1, 2018 6:00 -8:00 pm Martin Luther King Jr Community Center 1650 Garfield Ave, Des Moines, IA 50316
Sponsored by the Des Moines Citizens’ Taskforce on Sustainability, 1000 Friends of Iowa, Habitat for Humanity, The Martin Luther King Jr Neighborhood association, Eat Greater Des Moines, Homes 4 My Peeps, and Iowa State University.
For more information, contact: Kari Carney 515-288-5364 or kari@1000friendsofiowa.org
This Conversation is the first of at least three Race, Climate and Community Conversations. Join us in 2019 for Housing & Energy and another on Health and Safety.

Best Development Award Ceremony
2019-01-22 11:45 - 13:00 | Iowa State Capitol Building First Floor Rotunda, 1007 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, United States
Join us for a light lunch starting at 11:45 a.m. and an inspiring awards ceremony at 12 noon.

First Hearing City of Des Moines Proposed Zoning Code
2019-09-09 16:30 - 19:30 | Des Moines City Council Chambers, 400 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines, IA, United States
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 in the code, remove the requirement that every house has to have a garage and remove the requirement that every house has a basement. These requirements do not fit with the cities goal to reduce green house gas emissions and ensure affordable, mixed income housing and neighborhoods. Large, minimum house requirements mean that homes will become unaffordable to purchase and unaffordable to heat and cool.
Many home buyers and renters are looking for homes with a smaller footprint, homes that are in neighborhoods that are walkable and bikeable and have easy access to public transit. These requirements leave out many people and are short sighted. In addition, the city should move towards mixed-income neighborhoods and developments. Research shows that well thought-out mixed income neighborhoods reduce poverty and increase opportunity, as well as other benefits. Minimum housing requirements could make mixed income house an impossibility.
In addition, we would like to see more of an emphasis on urban agriculture and urban forest and woodlands incorporated into the zoning code. We would also like to see food gardens allowed in the front yards and parking.

Impact of Climate Policies Workshop with MIT researcher Travis Franck
2019-09-29 13:00 - 16:00 | Plymouth UCC Church 4126 Ingersol Ave Des Moines, IA 50312
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 by Climate Interactive, uses the latest climate research and has been used by the United Nations, industries, governments, and climate leaders around the world to shape climate policies.
Dr. Travis Franck is a Program Director for Climate Interactive and is leading Climate Interactive’s efforts to apply interactive decision support tools to understand how climate change impacts agriculture and people’s livelihoods. Climate Interactive is a not-for-profit organization that helps people see what works to address climate change and related issues like energy, health, food security, and disaster risk reduction.

Taking a stand for the Land - 1000 Friends of Iowa Annual Meeting
2019-11-23 10:00 - 15:00 | Cherry Glen Learning Farm, 3989 NW 94th Ave., Polk City, IA, United States
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 Farm, followed by three great speakers and a delicious lunch!
Our speakers are:

Rich Leopold is well know in the state as a conservationist. Rich is the former Director of the Iowa Department of Natural resources and the former Executive Director of the Iowa Environmental Council . Currently the Director of the Polk County Conservation Board, Rich will talk about work that he has been involved in within Polk County and efforts to not only improve our parks, but also our soil and our watersheds.
Allison Van Pelt of the Metropolitan Planning Organization. Allison will talk about the “Rain Campaign”. A project to improve soil and better manage rainwater/storm water throughout the Greater Des Moines metro area.
Linda Shenk of Iowa State University. Linda will tell us about a watershedproject she and students are working on in Story County.

Lunch will be provided. We will have vegan and gluten-free options available. Please RSVP by sending in your registration today!
RSVP By Clicking here:

Best Development Awards Ceremony and Luncheon
2020-01-21 11:45 - 13:30 | Iowa State Capitol Building First Floor Rotunda, 1007 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, United States
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 innovative design and innovative solutions – all focused on improving the communities they are located in.
We will start serving the luncheon at 11:45 and will begin the ceremony shortly after. Please RSVP by clicking here.
PS, come early and join groups from across the state for Energy Efficiency day beginning at 9:30 am.

Heal House Solar Project Ribbon Cutting
2021-08-11 10:00 - 11:00 | Heal House, 906 S Jefferson Way, Indianola, IA, 501125, United States
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 County Group Buy program, facilitated efforts to raise money for the installation of a solar energy system for the homeless shelter. Tis project is an exciting one with responsible land use and smart growth efforts, as well taking one step to ensure the homeless community in Indianola is included in clean energy transition.

Des Moines Area Green Stormwater Infrastructure Bike Tour
2021-09-08 16:30 - 18:30 | Gay Lea Wilson Trail at Mally’s Park Trail Access, 5792 NE Berwick Dr, Berwick, Iowa, 50032, United States
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 out what Polk County and the City of Des Moines have been doing to restore the landscape with green stormwater infrastructure, such as wetlands, oxbow restoration, bioswales, rain gardens and much more! The tour will be guided by John Swanson, Polk County Watershed Management Coordinator.

The trail is an easy, flat and shaded trail. The ride will be about 9 miles one way. If you cannot ride, we will have some locations that are accessible by car for you to join us.

Please Register at bit.ly/DSMbiketour.
For more information, contact: kari@1000friendsofiowa.org

1000 Friends of Iowa Annual Membership Meeting
2022-01-12 17:30 - 19:00 | https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcrf-6pqzwrH9ARFssZ1yWeYS4BD-4J-crp
Join us for the 2021 annual membership meeting on January 12, 2022 starting at 5:30 pm. This meeting will be via zoom.
We will review the past year and what we’ve accomplished, get a preview of what’s to come in 2022, and we will hear from two guest Speakers:

Cassandra Sonne with the Center for Energy and the Environment (CEEE) at the University of Northern Iowa. Cassie is the program director of the brand new Resilient Iowa Communities program. Cassie will give us an overview and preview of the new program. This is a program that was developed as a direct result of the work that 1000 Friends of Iowa has done over the last four years. The program’s focus is to ensure that communities put sustainability of their “to do list”. It provides a menu of best practices in 5 categories, including Transportation and Land Use, as well as resources, technical support, and recognition for communities.
Allison Van Pelt, with the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. Allison will talk about the innovative toolkit she created and other work she is doing to help communities in Central Iowa start to think about how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their communities and in the region.

In addition, we’ll get a sneak peek of the 2021 Best Development Awards Winners.
Don’t miss out! Register today! https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcrf-6pqzwrH9ARFssZ1yWeYS4BD-4J-crp

Best Development Awards Ceremony
2022-01-27 11:00 - 13:30 | Iowa State Capitol Building First Floor Rotunda, 1007 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, United States
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 Energy
And much more!

The Best Development Awards not only recognize communities and businesses throughout the state doing impeccable work, but they also cause a ripple effect – educating and mobilizing individuals to dream big about responsible land use and serve as a shining example of what’s possible through smart, practical land use policy in Iowa.
* Currently, the BDA Ceremony is scheduled to take place on the First Floor Rotunda of the Iowa State Capitol Building. If covid cases should increase over the holidays, we may move the ceremony to a virtual platform.

Leveraging Federal Infrastructure Dollars for Clean Transportation
2022-06-02 11:00 - 12:15 | IA
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. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fr3wCdZbRvC2nSoSIMVslg
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
A recent report from the Georgetown Climate Center highlighted how important these local decisions are, because the funds coming from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act could actually increase greenhouse gas pollution if not used well.
Meanwhile, Headwaters Economics just released their findings that 75% of communities in the Midwest have little capacity to apply for the new funds or to think creatively about how to apply in ways that improve the quality of life for residents while decreasing pollution. If you work with local governments or state DOTs, don’t miss the opportunity to learn from Beth! Hope to see you there!
About Beth Osborne: Beth Osborne is the Director of Transportation for America, a national nonprofit committed to a transportation system that connects people to jobs and essential services by all modes of travel no matter their financial means or physical ability. Beth served as Acting Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Transportation, where she managed the TIGER Discretionary Grant program and the Secretary’s livability initiative as well as supporting stronger vehicle fuel economy standards, the national freight commission and several safety initiatives. She also worked for Sen. Tom Carper (DE) as an advisor for transportation, trade and labor policy, legislative director for environmental policy at the Southern Governors’ Association and legislative advisor to Reps. Ron Klink (PA-04) and Brian Baird (WA-03).
Please register in advance for the webinar by following this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fr3wCdZbRvC2nSoSIMVslg

Walk, Pedal, Ride -- Saving our landscapes by changing our streetscapes
2022-12-10 10:00 - 14:00 | Griffieon Family Farm, 11655 NE 6th, Ankeny, IA, 50023, United States
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 take about the challenges and ways that we can get involved. We will follow up with a delicious lunch and plans for the coming year!

We have two great speakers — Josh Mandelbaum who is a city council member for the city of Des Moines and a Commissioner for the Des Moines Regional Transit Authority; and Alec Davis, a well know entrepreenuer in central Iowa and the president of the Des Moines Street Collective. The location is the Griffieon Farm 11655 NE 6th Street, Ankeny, IA

When
December 10th, 2022 10:00 AM through 2:00 PM

Location

11655 NE 6th Street
Griffieon Farm
Ankeny, IA 50023

2026 Annual Meeting
2026-08-10 08:00 - 17:00 | IA
Join us Saturday, September 19 from 10 am-3 pm for our 2026 Annual Meeting in Des Moines, IA. This year, our meeting focuses on a new and disturbing land use threat – data centers.
The cost to attend is $35 per person and includes lunch and snacks. In addition to guest speakers, we will have a panel discussion from residents in Iowa that have been involved in data center fights near them. Register today!
