Sustainability discussion Tuesday in Iowa City

IOWA CITY - A wind project, local food efforts and energy-efficient buildings are among the topics college sustainability leaders will discuss Tuesday (7/28/09)  at the first roundtable of its kind at the University of Iowa.

At least 40 sustainability coordinators from Iowa colleges, along with Iowa Department of Natural Resources and other state officials, will share ideas during the daylong event at the Iowa Memorial Union.

Liz Christiansen, director of the UI Office of Sustainability, said discussions will touch on common sustainability practices on college campuses and unique efforts, including the UI's new sustainability certificate.

Students have already been signing up for the 24 semester hour program.

Obstacles to these efforts, costs, savings and environmental impacts will be addressed.

A tour of the new UI student garden is scheduled for this afternoon. The IMU has been incorporating produce from the garden in its menus.

Christiansen said it's important for colleges to undertake these efforts.

“The bulk of mitigating climate change will fall on the shoulders of people in school now,” she said.

I was able to visit the student garden when it was being planted this spring. The garden is at Hawkeye Park Road in Iowa City near the Hawkeye Recreation and Tennis Complex and the Hawkeye Drive Apartment complex. See http://www.news-releases.uiowa.edu/2009/april/042209student-garden.html for more info on the garden. It's probably a good time to visit, as it's prime produce season. See photos at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/farmerfred/sets/72157621858795244/