ABOUT OUR PROJECTS
See what we are up to with our partners
Environmental Education and Volunteer Events
Partner: All
It is a firm belief of ours that environmental conservation stems from community involvement. Here at Green Iowa Americorps, we want to provide communities with environmental education and hands-on experience through events and volunteer work, that will excite anyone of all backgrounds to help our environment. We offer an array of events pertaining to several environmental topics that are geared toward everyone. Interested in attending any of these events? Check out our event calender to find out more about them!
Making WPU a Tree Campus
Partner: William Penn University
William Penn University is prepping to become a Tree Campus USA site. WPU can receive an annual tree campus higher education recognition by meeting the five standards (Arbor Day Foundation):
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Establishment of a campus tree advisory committee
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Evidence of a campus tree-care plan
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Verification of the plan’s dedicated annual expenditures
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Observing Arbor Day
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Creating a service-learning project aimed at engaging the student body.
Tree Campus Higher Education was founded in 2008 to promote a healthy and beautiful campus that helps the environment and community. We are excited to plant more trees and get students engaged with the environment.
William Penn University's Tree Inventory Map
Making WPU a Bee Campus
Partner: William Penn University
William Penn University is working on becoming a Bee Campus USA Affiliate. The goal of this is to make our community more sustainable for bees, one of our most important pollinators. There are three goals that aim towards this. First, creating more foraging opportunities for bees by planting native species that these pollinators use throughout the campus. Second, creating more nesting sites, as many of their natural nesting sites have been destroyed due to urbanization and agriculture. Lastly, reducing the use of harmful pesticides as these pesticides can travel onto plants that pollinators, often resulting in the death of multiple bees and other pollinators. Being recognized as a Bee Campus USA Affiliate would mean that our efforts on working on these goals would be recognized and help promote these practices throughout the community.
Reclaiming WPU'S Remnant Prairie
Partner: William Penn University
William Penn University is home to one of the less than 0.1% remnant prairies left in Iowa. This prairie had become overrun with sumac, dogwood, and eastern red cedars. We have removed the majority of the woody vegetation that persisted on approximately six acres of this prairie and are continuously working at restoring this prairie to its natural state. We have much more to do for this project, but we are beyond excited to see this prairie flourish.
Hydroponic Towers
Partner: William Penn University
Hydroponic Towers are a perfect way to grow food when you're short on space. You can grow an array of produce ranging from fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Hydroponics uses gravity to deliver water vertically, up the tower to continually supply nutrient-dense water to the plants. They use significantly less water, providing an efficient and sustainable way to grow food! We have built two hydroponic towers to be placed in the Union at William Penn University. These towers will provide fresh produce to William Penn students as well as give them the opportunity to develop some green thumb skills.
Oskaloosa Public Library Pollinator Garden
Partner: SWCD, Oskaloosa Public Library
A pollinator garden is a garden that is planted with mostly flowers that are rich in nectar and pollen; attracting a range of pollinating species. At the Oskaloosa public library, we are designing and planting a pollinator garden that will provide habitat and food for our native pollinators. This project will also serve as a rain garden that will help prevent the accumulation of groundwater that the library currently experiences; improving the water and soil quality in Oskaloosa.
Indian Hills Branch Landscaping
Partner: William Penn University, City of Oskaloosa
What do we like to do with empty land? Add native flowers and grasses! The Indian Hills Branch in Oskaloosa has a small area around their building that currently contains some grasses and shrubs. They have asked us to design and plant a garden using native prairie flowers and grasses. Not only are these flowers and grasses beautiful, but they also serve a purpose. The majority area of this project is slopped, leading water to flow downhill onto the sidewalk and parking area. Using native prairie plants with deep roots will help lead to greater water infiltration into the soil and slow the rate of erosion from runoff. This natural prairie landscaping will also be able to provide a more suitable habitat for wildlife and pollinators, all while being a beautiful sight to see!
Stormwater Retention Basin
Partner: William Penn University, City of Oskaloosa
A stormwater retention basin is a man-made, excavated area used for the prevention of flooding from stormwater. This basin, located near Indian Hills, was created as a solution to the excess of standing water this area was experiencing. Now we are designing and planting prairie flowers and grasses to help with soil infiltration so that excess water can be absorbed into the ground. This also helps naturally filter the water. This is a great opportunity to improve soil and water quality, as well as provide habitat to our wildlife and pollinators.
COVER CROP ASSESSMENTS
Partner: Mahaska County Soil and Water Conservation District
Cover Crops have become a very common and useful Nutrient Reduction Strategy put in place by Iowa farmers to improve soil health and prevent erosion of soil. As part of our partnership with Mahaska County SWCD, our members perform cover crop assessments to insure that farmers that are part of one of the many cover crop programs have planted their cover crops and that their cover crops are properly germinating and performing their job as a Nutrient Reduction Strategy.
Want to learn more about cover crops?
WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT
Partners: Mahaska County Soil and Water Conservation District & Muchakinock Creek Watershed Project
As part of our partnership with the Mahaska County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), our members assist with water collection and nitrate testing for the Muchakinock Creek Watershed Project. Collection and testing is done once a month to determine the levels of nitrate present in the watershed, as well as the nitrate levels of water coming into the watershed from various drainage tiles. These test help the Muchakinock Creek Project Coordinator and Mahaska County SWCD to pinpoint areas with high nitrate pollution levels and to work with producers in those areas to reduce nitrate runoff from farm fields and look at Nutrient Reduction Strategies.
Professional Development Trainings
Partner: All
As part of Americorps, Green Iowa members have many different opportunities to take part in multiple trainings to develop professional skills for future careers. These opportunities can include conferences, training programs put on by different local organizations, field days, personal projects, and more.
