Events sponsored by the City Climate Action Office range from volunteer opportunities to community-wide celebrations! As Iowa City makes progress toward a better, more resilient future, the events described below mark milestones and offer reminders of the tools, programs, and crucial resources we have in each other to achieve climate goals.
If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in any of these events, please contact Sarah Gardner at 319-887-6162 or sgardner@iowa-city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.
Climate Action Grants Info Session
Are you involved with a local nonprofit and community-based organization? Iowa City’s Climate Action and Outreach division invites you to a free info session about their Climate Action Grant program! Learn about the application process from recent awardees and get inspiration for a climate action project of your own. Join us on Thursday, February 19, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Wright House of Fashion, 910 S Gilbert St.
Who: Nonprofit and community-based organizations in Iowa City
What: A free info session about Iowa City’s Climate Action Grant program
Why: To learn about the application process and get ideas for potential climate action projects
When: Thursday, February 19, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Where: Wright House of Fashion, 910 S Gilbert St
Climate Fest 2025 Recap
Climate Fest 2025
Silver (and Green!) Screen
Climate Fest hosted a double feature of two short films with powerful messages. The first, Born Curious, explores the life of an outdoor enthusiast and explorer born in Queens. Director Julia de Guzman describes the film as “comedic and lyrical, tense and heart- warming and will inspire even the most timid among us to live braver and bolder every day.”
The second film, Green Buffalo, follows members of the Lower Sioux Indian Community from southwest Minnesota as they seek to build affordable housing, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and foster community resilience using hempcrete, a revolutionary building material.
The films started at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25, at Dream City, one of the recent Climate Action Grant awardees that has used the funding to install energy efficient equipment in its commercial kitchen utilized by local entrepreneurs as a business incubator. In between screenings, attendees got to learn more about related efforts locally from United Action for Youth and the Great Plains Action Society.
Both films are available free online. View them below or follow the link to share them.
Resilience Hub Hang Out
Resilience Hubs are community-centered spaces that offer support based on neighborhood needs. Unlike emergency shelters, they operate year-round to build long-term community strength but can also provide key services during community disaster and recovery efforts. In 2024, Iowa City embarked on a planning process in collaboration with two community organizations, the Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County and the Bike Library, to envision the unique role each might play as a Resilience Hub. In 2025, both have begun implementing those plans, with solar panels installed at the Bike Library and emergency power generators on the way for NCJC.
Residents could learn more about Resilience Hubs and future plans at the Bike Library on Wednesday, Sept. 24, from 5-8 p.m. Attendees could get started on their own home preparedness kit with an assortment of free supplies, pick up one of the Resilience Hub zines created by Neighborhood Centers staff and Bike Library volunteers, check out the new rooftop solar array, and leave inspired to help make Iowa City more ready for disruptions like extreme weather events.
Looking for another reason to visit the Bike Library?
On Sunday, Sept. 20, riders participating in the annual Farm Cycle fundraiser, which highlights local food resources and area bike routes, departed from the Bike Library for the ride. Iowa City’s Climate Action and Outreach staff were on hand from 9-10 a.m. with free sunscreen and heat awareness info.
Read Aloud at the Lagoon Shelter House
In Tending Iowa’s Land, local researcher and writer Cornelia Mutel offers a collection of essays and personal stories from experts and everyday people that probe the challenges and explore the pathways to a regenerative future for our natural environment.
Volunteer readers helped give voice to these stories on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., at the Lagoon Shelter House alongside the Iowa River. Listeners got to meet with organizations helping put sustainable principles into practice. Cambus Routes 31 and 32 have stops on N Riverside Dr. The Lagoon Shelter House is adjacent to the Iowa River Corridor Trail and pedestrian bridge, a 15-minute walk from the Downtown Transit Interchange.
Solar Art Show and Tour
In 2025, 300 newly installed ground-mounted solar panels at the Iowa City Municipal Airport came online, powering the terminal, runway lights, and ambulatory hangar with clean energy. In the summer months, the power production even exceeded the airport’s needs, flowing onto the grid to help supply nearby structures with the additional energy. That’s worth celebrating!
On Monday, Sept. 22, from 4-6:30 p.m., residents were invited to visit the airport to see an art exhibit featuring pieces by local artists made with and inspired by solar energy and curated by Public Space One. Attendees got to create solar art, get an up close look at the airport array on one of two tours (at 4:30 and 6 p.m.) led by the industry experts who helped build the array, and learn more about the solar capacity of their own homes using a handy online portal.
Drive Electric Car Show
Since 2020, EV registrations in Johnson County have more than tripled, growing from a few hundred vehicles to several thousand, including a new all-electric Ford Lightning for the City’s Green Iowa AmeriCorps team to use while providing free home energy audits to Iowa City residents!
On Saturday, Sept. 20, from 7:30 a.m. to noon, adjacent to the Farmers Market, all were invited to visit the EV Car Show to get an up-close look at many different models.
Pocket Park Celebration
On Friday, Sept. 19, Climate Fest kicked off with a special celebration of National Parking Day, joining other cities across the nation as they convert parking spaces into pocket parks to help reimagine how we use urban spaces. Participants enjoyed the free lemonade stand in the Pop Up Parking Space Pocket Park from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at the corner of Washington Street and Van Buren Street.
In Iowa City, this celebration had special meaning, as every parking ramp and meter plays a part in supporting Fare Free transit service: earlier this year when City Council voted to continue Fare Free service, they also voted to raise parking rates to help keep the buses free. Since beginning in 2023, the Fare Free transit program has helped increase bus ridership in Iowa City 68% and reduced total vehicle miles driven within the city by nearly 1.8 million miles! That not only cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions, it also makes streets safer for biking and walking by reducing the number of cars on the road.
Climate Fest Walk and Roll Weekly Bonus Item
Climate Fest 2025 featured a special gift for anyone who came to an event by bike, on foot, by bus, or in an EV. These active and alternative modes of transportation are an important strategy in Iowa City’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan to help build a more connected, vibrant community while also reducing emissions.
Past Events
Volunteer Community Bike Count
Volunteers will work in pairs at assigned intersections to observe and record information about the usage of bikes. This effort will help guide decisions about future bike facilities on city streets, including a pilot project for a bollard-protected bike lane.
September 9-11
7-9 a.m.
4-6 p.m.
If one of the dates is rained out, data collection will move to the following week.
All volunteers will receive data collection training ahead of the event on Wednesday, August 27 at Noon on Zoom. Those who sign up after that date will receive a link to the recorded training.
Volunteers can sign-up with a partner or individually. Individual sign ups will be paired with a partner based on shift preference. Volunteers must be age 18 and older or accompanied by a legal guardian.
If you are interested in volunteering for this event, fill out the online volunteer form.
Bike to Work Week Breakfast
In honor of Bike to Work Week, the City of Iowa City will be serving fresh locally made cinnamon-apple empanadas at Chauncey Swan Park at 405 E. Washington Street from 7-9 a.m.
This event will happen rain or shine, so make sure to pedal on over to the park for a spoke-tacular breakfast courtesy of the City's Climate Action Office and the Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County.
Granola bars as well as coffee and orange juice will also be served. Bringing reusable mugs or cups from home to fill up is encouraged and celebrated!
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
7-9 a.m.
While at the event, participants can also practice loading and unloading their bikes on a demo rack attached to Chauncey Swan ramp meant to give cyclists a feel for using the bike racks mounted to all city buses.
This year, Bike to Work Week takes place from May 12 through 18 as part of May’s National Bike Month. Commuting to work has seen an increase in popularity over the years. Not only does bicycling provide a healthful and fun way to travel, it also saves money and provides a way to commute.
The annual Neighborhood Energy Blitz is back on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Volunteers are needed for two shifts. The morning shift will deliver energy saving kits to households in part of the Eastside neighborhood. The afternoon shift will pick up any kits still outside and return to the meeting point to sort collected materials.
Morning shift 9 a.m. - noon
Afternoon shift 2:30-5:30 p.m.
The rain date for this event is scheduled for Saturday, May 10, 2025. The shift times are the same.
A training for all volunteers will take place on Zoom on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. A link to the call will be sent to volunteers. Those who cannot make the call can watch the recording at a later date.
Transit Equity Day is a day dedicated to honoring the life and legacy of Rosa Parks on her birthday, Feb. 4. Join the Climate Action Division, Human Rights and Equity, and the Iowa City Public Library as we hold two events in honor of Rosa Parks and her unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and human rights.
Join us on International Day of CO2 Emission Reduction for the first of two events around the book, Inclusive Transportation: A Manifesto for Repairing Divided Communities by Veronica O. Davis.
Iowa City Public Library in Meeting Room A
Discussion will be facilitated by the Climate Action team
Inclusive Transportation: A virtual conversation with author Veronica O. Davis, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, 6-7 p.m.
Celebrate Black History Month with a virtual conversation with author, Veronica O. Davis. This conversation will be facilitated by Climate Action Commissioner, Angie Smith.
On Zoom, prior registration is required.
Did you miss the virtual discussion? You can find it on YouTube here.
Climate Fest 2024
The City's 5th annual Climate Fest celebrated the many ways our community has taken action to address climate change.
Citizen scientists needed for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS)! Climate change is impacting rainfall in Iowa City. Join a corps of volunteers working to collect precipitation data that can be used by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) researchers.
Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024: Fare Free at Big Grove, 5-8 p.m.
Join us in celebrating one year of fare free transit in Iowa City! Pit your wits against transit questions in a lively game of trivia, share your favorite reason to take the bus on a collaborative comment wall, and raise a glass to toast our hardworking bus drivers. Enjoy fun activities and games for all ages and hobnob with Bus Buddies!
Sing with Family Folk Machine as they lead a Community Sing at Chauncey Swan Park.
TheScale of Hope at The Chauncey FilmScene, 7-8 p.m.
Before and after the film, League of Women Voters will assist with voter registration int he FilmScene lobby, and freewill donations from filmgoers will go to the group to support them in their important work. Check out FilmScene's new reusable popcorn containers, purchased with grant support from Iowa City's Climate Action and Outreach division
Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024: Level Up Your Plan
Craft your personal electrification plan in ICPL's Digital Media Lab using a handy online portal from Rewiring America, you will be able to generate a personalized plan for your household. Drop in anytime between 3-6 p.m. to meet with coaches from Johnson County Clean Energy District, who can help answer questions about their experience with heat pumps, solar panels, induction stoves, heat pump water heaters and more! Climate Action staff will assist attendees with questions about tax rebates and incentives. Grab a cup of cocoa or tea brewed on an induction cooktop!
Friday, Sept. 27: Nonprofit Nerd Out at the Senior Center, 2-4 p.m.
Fighting food waste, protecting water and prairies, increasing affordable housing and transportation, growing healthy food- Iowa city nonprofits are truly inspiring agents of change! But what inspires them? Find out at the Nonprofit Nerd Out. This unique tabling event includes fun-informative mini presentations from local organizations. Come away newly inspired and connected to the great work happening in our community. Connect with local nonprofits, grab free swag, explore opportunities, events, and more!
Saturday, Sept. 28: EVs at the Market, 7:30 a.m.-Noon
Driving an electric vehicle is convenient, less expensive than driving a gas car, and fun! Whether you already own an EV and want to share the love or you are EV curious and want a chance to talk to real, local drivers, this event is for you! The electric vehicle show will run alongside the Iowa City's Farmers Market downtown as part of National Drive Electric Week.
All Month long: Bus Stop Mosaics
Bus shelters in Iowa City neighborhoods get a beauty treatment for the month of September: a celebration and reminder of the role of transportation in our climate future. Enjoy the artwork designed by Erica Danner and installed by volunteers from Sept. 1- Sept. 28.
Muscatine Ave/Court Street - Buzz Stop
Collaborative decorating by the Morningside-Glendale and Longfellow Neighborhood Associations
North Van Buren Street/East Jefferson Street - Butterfly Stop
Decorated by the Iowa City Public Library staff and teen volunteers
East Court Street/South Westminster Street (Court Hill Park entrance- Under the sea Stop
Decorated by Climate Action and Outreach staff and community Climate Ambassadors
Lakeside Drive/Nevada Ave - Petal Stop
Decorated by City staff Climate Ambassadors and community Climate Ambassadors
To review the City's bus routes/stops visit the digital map.
Check out the locations of Climate Fest events on this Google Map here.
