UIEC: Projects

1. UIEC Green Consulting

Description: UIEC Green Consulting is seeking to engage organizations on campus and beyond who would like to achieve a more sustainable future. We will work with your organization, providing education and advice, on how to make future decisions on issues ranging from consumption, travel, and energy use. We will soon be ready to provide this service so contact us today so we can begin tailoring a presentation and action plan for your organization. Let's do this together!

Please click here for a draft of the current document outlining this project.

A planning meeting is scheduled for March 27th at 7pm in Miller Room (IMU) -- same place we have our meetings.

2. Film Showing

Description: To raise environmental consciousness, the UIEC will be showing "A Land out of Time". This movie discusses some of Bush's environmental comprimises since his presidency.

Movie will be showed at our meeting on April 3rd!

3. UIEC Garden

When: Ongoing
Where: Next to North Hall
Description: Spring is just beginning and it is time to get involved with the garden. We are going to need regular people to spend some time pulling weeds and keeping things aesthetic. A compost bin is also located at the garden, so bring your food scraps and contribute! Please contact Adam Perkins or Kyle Sieck for more information on getting involved.

4. Phasing Out Plastics (POP)

Group Photo

When: Ongoing
Description: POP is an ongoing project with Facilities Managment to improve campus recycling. Waste sorts at various locations have provided an insight into the UI waste stream. Over 50% of the waste is recyclable material, a good portion of it being plastic. The UI is committed to reducing their waste contribution to the waste stream.

The data collected in the fall helped the UI gain $60,000 worth of grant money to be used towards new bins and an advertising campaign. Currently, the advertising campaign is being worked on as bins will be released in the following months.

A recycling summit, yet scheduled, will also take place sometime in the Spring.

Current Data:
Main Library: Data
Pentacrest: Data | Video
Further information: Facilities Managment Website.

To get involved, or if you have any questions, please contact Tim Knab, Ben Kaplan or Rachel Nathanson.

5. The Climate Cruiser Project

When: Ongoing
Description: The Climate Cruiser project is intended to promote green modes of transportation. Individuals within our society who choose such environmentally responsible practices are hardly, if ever rewarded for their unselfish contributions to the planet. UIEC members walked the Iowa City streets and picked student bike riders at random. In an attempt to thank these Climate Cruisers for their "greenheartedness" we gave recipients gift cards from Oasis Falafel, Dairy Queen, Pita Pit, Brueger's Bagels, as well as other small prizes. We hope to continue this project to build the green buzz on campus. We thank everyone who contributed and participated in the project. If you ride a bike, and you're lucky, you may be the next Climate Cruiser chosen to receive a prize! Keep it Green, Keep it Clean. Please contact Ben Kaplan with any questions, comments or ways to get involved.

6. Weir Building

When: March 29th & 30th, April 5th, 12th & 13th.
Where: Coralville Lake
Description: Students will help repair a "knickpoint" in the riverbed around Woodpecker trail at Coralville Lake by creating a "weir" (kind of like a miniature dam wall). The weir will be created by cutting down shade-tolerant tree species (such as Sugar Maples), whose removal will also improve the oak forest community. This project will also involve volunteers from Brenda Nation's Intro to Environmental Sciences class. Please contact Tim Knab if you are interested or have any questions.

Download the Sign-Up Sheet.
Download a document with More Information.

7. Earth Day at Coralville Lake

When: April 18th - 20th
Where: Coralville Lake
Description: Groups of students will have a chance to help a local woodland by pulling and removing invasive species from within Coralville Lake. In exchange for their time and effort, the park will give volunteers 2 nights of free camping, a free t-shirt, free lunch and a free chilli dinner (over a fire). Additionally, on Friday there will be a Pipe Ceremony to bless the event. Please contact Tim Knab if you are interested or have any questions.

Itinerary please click here.
Registration please click here.

You must register with Mary Sue by April 1st to confirm your attendance!

8. Swaptree

Description: Swaptree is a website in which people can join, list whatever item they have (cds, books, movies, ect) that they want to swap. They can also list items they are seeking. Members can search through others items and can "swap" with each other. The only cost is shipping. Get rid of an old book and get a new one!

Click here to sign up!

http://www.swaptree.com/WebFrmnewuserhomepage.aspx?promotioncode=Iowa

The UIEC makes $1 for every user that joins!

9. Greenraising

When: Ongoing
Description: Greenraising is an opportuntiy to make money for non-profit organizations. The way it works is that the UIEC registers themselves as a beneficiary, and tries to get school or organizations to purchase green products -- such as office supplies -- using their name. The UIEC then receives a percentage of the total sales we helped acquire. By helping others to purchase their green products online, rather than from a megastore, the UIEC could gain funds. Anyone willing to take a hold of this project should contact Kyle Sieck.

10. Reusable Bags Competition

Description: UIEC members have created a design competition for reusuable bags. Please see the following website for more information, or email: makethingsbetter@live.com.

Competition ends March 28th!

http://www.myspace.com/makethingsbetter

Webmaster Needed!
Do you have mad website skills? We are looking for anyone tech-minded to run the website! Even if you are not experienced, but are interested, Tim Knab can teach you! Email him, he's nice I promise! The gratitude you would receive would be endless!

Treasurer Needed!
Are you interested in financial matters, or taking business classes? You should help us manage our money! Contact Kyle Sieck or Eric Holthaus if you are interested!