Earth Month Symposium

Thank you to everyone who hosted or attended events during the Earth Month Symposium. Below you will find recordings of some of the events.

Symposium Kickoff Campus Updates

To kick off the Symposium, schools highlighted new, innovative, or prominent sustainability programs, classes, and projects happening on their campus.

Rooting for a Sustainable Future: Native Plants and Prairie Restoration

Student intern, Megan Lenss, explains the benefits and services of native plants and their importance in building a sustainable future.

Renewing a Human Rights Agenda: The Climate Crisis

Explore the human rights impacts of climate change, particularly on marginalized communities. Speakers: Dr. Louise Seamster, Stratis Giannakouros, and Dr. Maureen McCue.

IRA Webinar: Resume & Interview Guidance

Students and recent graduates who are entering the workforce can find out what recruiters from two Iowa-based environmental engineering firms are looking for in a resume and learn how to structure it to give you the best chance of earning an interview.

Corporate Social Responsibility with Courtney Moline

Learn about how HNI Corporation is pursuing positive change for people and the planet. Courtney Moline is the sustainability manager at HNI. She leads the implementation of sustainable initiatives for HNI's furniture and fireplace brands and supports HNI's long-term corporate social responsibility efforts.

Sustainable Dining Panel

Representatives from the dining programs of each of Iowa’s three state Universities (UI, UNI, and ISU) took part in a panel discussion on recent advances their programs have made in the domain of local food sourcing, food waste tracking, reduction, and disposal, accessibility to those with dietary restrictions, and/or other sustainable practices.

Combating Racism in Agriculture

UI Environmental Coalition hosted a panel discussion on agriculture with:

  • Malik Salsberry - Garden Share Program Coordinator at Community Food Share 

  • Giselle Bruskewitz - Food Hub Sales and Partnerships Manager

  • Kayla Carter - Apprentice at Grow: Johnson County 

  • Trisha Etringer - Ho-Chunk Operations Director for the Great Plains Action Society

  • Suzan Erem - Executive Director of Sustainable Iowa Land Trust

Climate Change Teach-In

The UI Presidential Sustainability Charter Committee organized a Climate Change Teach-In to celebrate Earth Day. The event consisted of a series of short, 30-minute presentations from UI faculty and staff.

  • Manure Matters (begins at 0:00 minute mark)

  • The Tree of Life: What we know and why it matters (begins at 23:36 minute mark)

  • Climate Science & Policy: Navigating the Flood of Information (begins at 52:00 minute mark)

  • Mitigating Climate Change is the Greatest Health Opportunity of our Century (begins at 1:17:04 minute mark)

  • What Does Climate Change Mean For Our Water Resources (begins at 1:53:50 minute mark)

  • Climate Quiz (begins at 2:22:14 minute mark)

  • What Your Bathtub Can Teach You About Climate Change (begins at 2:53:05 minute mark)

  • Lessons From The Past: Using Archaeology To Examine Key Human-Environmental Relationships (begins at 3:21:49 minute mark)

  • Nearly 40 Years of Iowa Renewable and Sustainable Energy Policy: The Nation’s First Renewable Energy Mandate Was Passed in 1983 in Iowa (beings at 3:50:38 minute mark)

  • Health Benefits of a Healthy Landscape Campus (begins at 4:23:59 minute mark)

  • How Did CO2 Get Locked up in Fossils in the First Place? (begins at 4:53:58 minute mark)

  • The Status of the Paris Agreement In 2021 (begins at 5:22:18 minute mark)

  • Imagine Earth Day 2070 (begins at 5:52:00 minute mark)


Sustainable Dining Panel
Apr
30

Sustainable Dining Panel

Representatives from the dining programs of each of Iowa’s three state Universities (UI, UNI, and ISU) and Grinnell College will have a panel discussion on recent advances their programs have made in the domain of local food sourcing, food waste tracking, reduction, and disposal, accessibility to those with dietary restrictions, and/or other sustainable practices. Each representative will then be given time to expand on sustainability and accessibility goals their respective dining program has set for the coming years, and delineate the challenges that must be overcome in order for these goals to be achieved.

Event link https://uiowa.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcpfu6pqjkoEtQOhYJkgAmMLnds4P9f8Q2p

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Energy Resiliency & Justice Conversation
Apr
28

Energy Resiliency & Justice Conversation

Climate change is causing extreme and unpredictable weather events that pose bigger threats to our energy systems. Last August's derecho in Iowa and the recent cold snap in February that impacted various communities in different parts of the country caused prolonged outages, higher utility bills, food and water shortages, and more. Vulnerable populations such as low-income, disabled, and Black, Indigenous, and other people of color face disproportionate outcomes as they lack resources to recover from disasters and are often overlooked during decision-making processes.

Now more than ever, we need to look into overcoming challenges and finding opportunities on how Iowa can improve its overall energy system to ensure that it is both resilient and equitable. We hope that this discussion can inspire Iowans to turn ideas into action as we strategically and collectively work to combat the climate crisis while centering on environmental justice. 

Register to attend at https://iaenvironment.salsalabs.org/energyconversation/index.html

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Building a New Table:  Food and Farm Stories
Apr
24

Building a New Table: Food and Farm Stories

The Johnson County Food Policy Council invites you to the 7th annual public forum featuring stories from food business entrepreneurs and community leaders. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in small group topic discussions about food justice related issues and provide input on equitable solutions to injustices in the food system. Join us as we identify opportunities to increase the accessibility of starting and sustaining food businesses in the community as well as opportunities for creative partnerships and resource sharing.

Register to attend https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wQFFp17JTvSeiqpSg-S0Tg

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Inside the Human Rights Classroom:  Experiences Fighting for Accountability With--and Within--Traditional Movement Environmentalism
Apr
22

Inside the Human Rights Classroom: Experiences Fighting for Accountability With--and Within--Traditional Movement Environmentalism

The community is invited to share in conversations between students and a range of experts on different issues who are scheduled to speak to Professor Aaron Marr Page's Human Rights in the World Community course. On April 22, the guest expert is Michelle Cook. Michelle is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation and born of the Honághááhnii (One Who Walks Around You) clan. She served as a Commissioner on the Navajo Human Rights Commission, is a founding member of the Water Protector Legal Collective, created an intersectional indigenous-led divestment campaign, and has testified before UN bodies and representatives.

To join the conversation, log in at: https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/99241305002

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Climate Change Teach-In
Apr
22

Climate Change Teach-In

The UI Presidential Sustainability Charter Committee has organized a Climate Change Teach-In to celebrate Earth Day.  The event will consist of a series of short, 30-minute presentations from UI faculty and staff explaining climate change and other environmental challenges, followed by a Keynote Address "Imagine Earth Day 2070" by Professor Jerry Schnoor.  Find details at https://events.uiowa.edu/41786  

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Round Table Discussion on Underrepresentation in Sustainability
Apr
21

Round Table Discussion on Underrepresentation in Sustainability

Join the student-interns behind UI's Underrepresented Students in Sustainability program for this round table discussion on underrepresentation in sustainability. All students are welcomed to attend and share their thoughts on how underrepresentation affects the student experience in sustainability. Students will have a chance to speak among themselves, and staff from each university will be in attendance to hear and respond to your thoughts and ideas.

Link to the event at https://uiowa.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYkdeGvpzouHNJEYcqlhcFdzoLGEGbWz39a

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Environmental Brunch Seminar: Travis Kraus - Iowa's Initiative for Sustainable Communities
Apr
21

Environmental Brunch Seminar: Travis Kraus - Iowa's Initiative for Sustainable Communities

This Environmental Brunch Seminar features Tony Kraus from Urban and Regional Planning. His talk will focus on the Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities.

Join Zoom Meeting https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/99943856574?pwd=NlVQMzJ3bVdSQ1VjdEZ3dDlvSDg3UT09 (Links to an external site.)

Meeting ID: 999 4385 6574 Passcode: Iowa_ENVS

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Honors Lunch and Learn with The Office of Sustainability
Apr
19

Honors Lunch and Learn with The Office of Sustainability

Learn more about sustainability and how you can make a difference on campus at our Lunch and Learn featuring the University of Iowa Office of Sustainability. This event will focus on discussions surrounding sustainability, so come with your questions ready!

Panelists include Office staff and interns.

Register at the following link: https://uiowa.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAtc--vqj0sHNZf2jjW1j4rvtvoMtLWwcX0

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Wild & Scenic Film Festival
Apr
17

Wild & Scenic Film Festival

IEC is bringing the On Tour festival to Iowa, featuring films and panels that will spark conversation about making Iowa a better place to live, work, and explore!

Featuring films and local panels focusing on climate change, clean water, clean energy, and environmental justice.

Iowa college students can attend FREE by selecting the “sponsored college student” ticket option. Click to reserve your ticket https://www.iaenvironment.org/get-involved/council-events/iec-wild--scenic-film-festival

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Asking Your Legislators To Take Climate Action:  A Guide To Meeting With Your Elected Officials
Apr
15

Asking Your Legislators To Take Climate Action: A Guide To Meeting With Your Elected Officials

Our elected officials represent us and should therefore act on the opinions of their constituents. In order to do that, they have to know what their constituents want. One of the best ways to let them know if through conversation. However, meeting with an elected official or one of their staff can be incredibly intimidating. This workshop will give you tools to make the process a little easier through conversation with other students and congressional staffers!

Register to attend http://www.mobilize.us/defendourfuture/event/376289/

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Student Sustainability Forum
Apr
15

Student Sustainability Forum

This discussion forum is intended for students from different universities to discuss what exactly sustainability looks like at their respective school. Topics for discussion will include working with university administration, engaging people who are apathetic about sustainability initiatives, environmental justice and how to implement it in a university setting, successful and unsuccessful projects, turning sustainable ideas into action, and many more!

Join the event http://iastate.webex.com/iastate/j.php?MTID=m7dabe5c96679f22fa193d470d404f68f


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Solve Climate by 2030
Apr
14

Solve Climate by 2030

Join us in learning about steps you can take in the Cedar Valley to move the needle on Climate Change! We have three local speakers sharing about their area of expertise. Learn about ways we can fit in to help solve climate change. After hearing from our speakers we will have breakout rooms for people to engage with other attendees to share ideas and brainstorm.

Link to event https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ehrj42am504ec0c1&oseq=&c=&ch=

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Corporate Social Responsibility with Courtney Moline
Apr
13

Corporate Social Responsibility with Courtney Moline

Courtney Moline is the sustainability manager at HNI Corporation. She leads the implementation of sustainable initiatives for HNI's furniture and fireplace brands and supports HNI's long-term corporate social responsibility efforts. As a signatory of the UN Global Compact and as one of Newsweek’s America’s Most Responsible Companies in 2020, HNI is committed to environmental and social responsibility. HNI supports the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals and conducts business in a manner that supports these principles and goals.

Come learn about how HNI is pursuing positive change for people and the planet.

Link to attend http://uiowa.zoom.us/j/92267909399

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IRA Webinar:  Resume & Interview Guidance
Apr
13

IRA Webinar: Resume & Interview Guidance

This webinar will help students and recent graduates who are entering the workforce prepare for resumes and interviews. You will find out what recruiters from two Iowa-based environmental engineering firms are looking for in a resume and learn how to structure it to give you the best chance of earning an interview.

These unprecedented times have changed the hiring process with less in person contact and more virtual communication. This webinar will help guide you through the virtual interview process and explain the etiquette needed for these conversations. You will be set up for success and ready to nail your virtual interview!

 Webinar Registration: https://uni.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_blRyQXgpTXmPwZvRW8Ss3A

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Supporting Underrepresented Students in Sustainability
Apr
7

Supporting Underrepresented Students in Sustainability

Join us to learn how your institution can support underrepresented students in sustainability! Students Hallie Lartius and Julia Krist created the UI Office of Sustainability's Underrepresented Students in Sustainability (USS) Program in 2019. A year later, the program has provided mentoring and funding to over 25 students and future leaders in sustainability. In this presentation, we will offer a guide on how to create similar programs at your institution and share our own students' experiences on underrepresentation in sustainability.

Link to event at https://uiowa.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMlc--gpjItEtfeDHXxt9aZ2uVwPp_ggEIA

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Renewing A Human Rights Agenda:  The Climate Crisis
Apr
7

Renewing A Human Rights Agenda: The Climate Crisis

In this webinar, we will explore the human rights impacts of climate change, particularly on marginalized communities. In addition, we will discuss why there is reason for hope despite the fact that the U.S. has so far failed to respond adequately to the crisis. Speakers: Dr. Louise Seamster, Stratis Giannakouros, and Dr. Maureen McCue.

Join the event at https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/94839769875

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Rooting for a Sustainable Future: Native Plants and Prairie Restoration
Apr
6

Rooting for a Sustainable Future: Native Plants and Prairie Restoration

Did you know the tallgrass prairie roots were once so dense that pioneers’ plows couldn’t cut through the Iowa soil? Did you know Iowa has a native tortoise, the Ornate Box Turtle? Come to this event to learn more about the tallgrass prairie ecosystem and the natural history of Iowa. Led by student intern Megan Lenss, this event will discuss the benefits and services of native plants and their importance in building a sustainable future. Each participant will receive a free native plant field guide!

Link to event at https://uiowa.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMqfuCqrzIjH9PXYRbHGvphG5-wwDP1GX5h

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Environmental Brunch Seminar: Dr Chris Brochu - Environmental Controls of Crocodile Diversity in East Africa
Mar
31

Environmental Brunch Seminar: Dr Chris Brochu - Environmental Controls of Crocodile Diversity in East Africa

This Environmental Brunch Seminar features Dr. Chris Brochu from UI's Earth and Environmental Sciences. His talk will focus on the Environmental Controls of Crocodile Diversity in East Africa.

Join Zoom Meeting https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/99943856574?pwd=NlVQMzJ3bVdSQ1VjdEZ3dDlvSDg3UT09 (Links to an external site.)

Meeting ID: 999 4385 6574 Passcode: Iowa_ENVS

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Event One
Apr
2

Event One

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

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