The Green School House Effect
April 2021
WE'RE HIRING!
Come spend your summer working alongside our team to create change in your community. The 3 month Summer Service term application is open. Find more information here. Direct your questions to GIACrecruitment@gmail.com
Green Iowa AmeriCorps has also opened the application for full-time (11 month commitment) positions that will start this fall. Check out the open positions tab on the Green Iowa AmeriCorps website and scroll down to the full-time position application.
DISTRICT UPDATE
In Tree News...
The district’s grounds crew is in the process of removing all of the remaining ash trees on district property. The actual removal of the trees will most likely take place over the summer months. As you may know, these trees are being removed due to the Emerald Ash Borer.
For those who don’t know, Emerald Ash Borer is an insect native to north-eastern Asia. Here in Iowa, it is considered an invasive species. The female insects lay their eggs in the bark crevices on ash trees. Once hatched, the larvae burrow and feed they damage tissues responsible for transporting water and nutrients. Initial damage appears as thinning in the upper canopy, which leads to branches dying over time, eventually killing the tree. Removing ash trees prevents the reproduction of this non-native beetle.
The good news is that the grounds crew already has a plan to plant new trees in place of the ash trees. At the least, one removed tree will result in one new tree planted. In places where space allows, up to three new trees will replace the stressed and dying ash tree.
GARDEN UPDATE
April Showers Bring May Flowers
Does your school have its own garden? Do you want to start your own garden at home? Well, now is the time to do it. Get some seeds and start planting! Timing is everything and regional adaptation makes all the difference. Here is a simple garden guide checklist for growing Zone 5.
Garden Bed Digging
April is a good time to dig new flower beds and veggie gardens when the weather permits! Be careful not to dig when it's too wet. You will end up with large clumps of soil that dry into rock hard lumps and compact your garden soil. A good rule of thumb is to use a shovel to dig down 6 inches. Grab some of the loose soil and roll it into a ball, then drop it from waist height. When it falls to the ground the ball should break into many small pieces, if it breaks into 3-4 pieces your soil is too wet to be working.
Seed Starting
In early April start plants indoors from seeds to set out unprotected in mid-May. These include tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and annual flowers such as marigolds, zinnias, & borage, along with perennial herbs and flowers which take a little longer to germinate and establish.
Plant Seedlings
Plant seedlings, aka baby plants, of broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, leeks, parsnips, celery, lettuces, spinach, chives, parsley, thyme, sage, oregano, other perennial herbs, and onion sets outdoors mid month.
Direct sow seeds
As soon as you can work the ground, plant directly in the soil seeds of peas, carrots, radishes, turnips, beets, greens, endive, swiss chard, dill, cilantro, and other cool weather loving plants. Seeds of corn and other warm season plants should wait until the soil is warmer.
You can plant small amounts of radishes, spinach, and lettuces, and other quick growing cool season plants every 2 weeks until hot weather is upon us in June.
Plant certified potato seed pieces. Good Friday(April 2) is the traditional planting day in Iowa.
Let GIA members know if you would like seeds for your school garden or even to take home. We were able to get a donation from the Seed Savers Exchange Herman's Garden Community Seed donation program. We've got everything from Corn, Beans, Squash & Peppers, to flowers and herbs.
ACTION STEPS
Be a Stormwater Steward
What is stormwater runoff? Due to the fact that much of our community’s soil surfaces are covered in streets or buildings, water from rainfall and snowmelt becomes stormwater runoff. It eventually drains into a storm drain located along our streets that leads to an underground storm sewer system. In many communities, that sewer system empties directly into local waterways such as creeks, streams, rivers, and lakes.
What is the problem? As stormwater moves across impervious surfaces it collects pollutants such as bacteria from animal waste, sediment, nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers, pesticides, gas and oil, heavy metals, salt, and litter. All of those pollutants flow right into our water system.
What can we do? We can combat water pollution by collecting trash before it reaches the storm drains.Plant a garden or flowers in your lawn to soak up excess stormwater. Capture rainwater from downspouts with a rain barrel to water your garden and trees. Plant a tree in your yard! We challenge you to host a trash clean-up in your neighborhood and make sure those storm drains are clear of litter and debris. Post pictures of your good deed on Facebook or Instagram and be sure to tag Green Iowa AmeriCorps Sustainable Schools so that we can feature you on our social media!
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
Van Allen Elementary Green Team Posters
Please enjoy the educational posters that 4th through 6th graders at Van Allen Elementary made to raise awareness for ways in which you can reduce your carbon footprint. If you want to calculate your own carbon footprint, check out the Environmental Protection Agency's carbon footprint calculator!
GET INVOLVED!
- Earth Day is the 22nd of April - Do you have a project idea? Talk to your teacher or your family about planning a trash clean-up, plant flowers or a veggie garden, plastic-free day, or something else!
- Join a zoom discussion with the Iowa City Public Library and Green Iowa AmeriCorps on Aimee Nezhukumatathil’s book, “World of Wonders” on April 17th, 4-5 pm. Register here!
- The discussion of “The Rachel Carson Documentary” will take place over Zoom with the Iowa City Public Library on April 7th at 7 pm. Register here!
We are celebrating Earth Fest during the month of April. Enjoy content from more than two dozen Iowa City-based environmental organizations by marking "Interested or Going" on both of our Facebook events! Part 1 & Part 2
- Earth Fest Grab Bags are available for FREE to the first 40 registrants. With donations from Earth Fest exhibitors, these thoughtful bags are full of goodies for green lifestyles! Register here to pick up yours!
This month’s Endangered Species Series will cover freshwater mussels. Register for the virtual lesson here!
The weather is warming up and birds are becoming more active! Green Iowa AmeriCorps is hosting a series of in-person bird walks in collaboration with the city's Climate Action & Outreach Division. COVID-19 safety measures will be followed, and registration is required, as space is limited. Register here!
Opportunities to VOLUNTEER with Green Iowa AmeriCorps - Energy and Community will grow along with all living things in the springtime! Keep track of what’s going on by bookmarking Green Iowa’s page on the United Way Volunteer Portal. Or email us at greeniowaic@gmail.com to let us know you’re interested in volunteering for environmental stewardship!
Apply for the Witinok Advancing Science Education Award! Two or more $250-$750 awards will be given to advance science education or support sustainability projects at your school. Students and teachers can apply; the deadline is April 15th. Apply here!
CONTACT US
Lisa Stark | stark.lisa@iowacityschools.org
Meg McAloon | mcaloon.meg@iowacityschools.org
Check out our Facebook Page!
Check out our Instagram!
Green Iowa AmeriCorps website!