COSC's Evergreen Party Was a Hit!

Thanks to everyone who made our 2009 Evergreen Party a success! Here's a visual summary of the night's festivities.

COSC's Evergreen Party 2009

Day of Sustainability in Iowa City/Coralville Dec. 1

Center on Sustainable Communities (COSC) and RDG Planning & Design has a full day of sustainable building events planned for Iowa City/Coralville on Tuesday, December 1. Please join us for any or all. Here's what's in store:

DAY OF SUSTAINABILITY
Tuesday, December 1 at the North Ridge Park Pavilion 
The North Ridge Park Pavilion was completed in April 2003 and won the 2003 Governor's Iowa Environmental Excellence Award for its sustainable design. It was designed by Neumann Monson Architects, the environmental elements incorporated into the design include Iowa's first green roof, locally quarried limestone, recycled timbers and passive solar techniques.
9:00am-11:30am:  Green Roofs in an Urban Environment
In the past century Iowa has seen a large population shift from our rural communities to thriving cities. During this urban and suburban explosion, much of the landscape has been altered or changed dramatically. Green roofs, or vegetated roofs, are becoming an increasingly popular choice with a magnitude of sustainable benefits.
11:30am-12:30pm:  Networking Lunch
12:30-4:00pm:  Restorative Design - Infiltration Based Stormwater Management 
Iowa's landscape is one of the most altered ecosystems in the nation - from cities to farms, stormwater management is crucial to creating a sustainable environment. This seminar will review the historical hydrological processes, landscape change, watershed based design and opportunities for Low Impact development. The course will cover specific case studies showing how we can mimic our natural systems.  
4:00-6:00pm:  Evening Social/Reception 

Registration required: Contact Leslie Berckes at leslie@icosc.com or 515.707.2787.
View more details at icosc.com and facebook.com/icosc.

Goodwill Recycles Computers

"Americans store an estimated 65 million old desktop computers in their homes."   - US EPA

Like virtually every home and office across the nation, COSC has accumulated its own small computer graveyard. We were pleased to discover a responsible solution for unloading unwanted computer through a joint effort by Dell and Goodwill. They're Reconnect program recycles any brand of used computer equipment in any condition, and just about anything that can be connected to a computer! It's as simple as bringing the items to your local Goodwill.

Donations help create jobs and protect the environment by reducing landfill waste, eliminating environmentally-sensitive materials from entering landfills, conserving natural resources and reducing pollution created through the manufacturing of new products. The Reconnect recycling program is free, and you'll receive a receipt for tax purposes. Find a Goodwill location near you by visiting reconnectpartnership.com.

Photo - Lynnae sends off our out-dated technology to be recycled. 

Day of Sustainability in Dubuque Nov. 18

Center on Sustainable Communities (COSC) and RDG Planning & Design has scheduled a full day of sustainable building events in Dubuque on Wednesday, November 18. Please join us for any or all. Here's what's in store:


DAY OF SUSTAINABILITY
Wednesday, November 18 at the Julien Hotel Dubuque
9:00am-11:30am:  Green Roofs in an Urban Environment
In the past century Iowa has seen a large population shift from our rural communities to thriving cities. During this urban and suburban explosion, much of the landscape has been altered or changed dramatically. Green roofs, or vegetated roofs, are becoming an increasingly popular choice with a magnitude of sustainable benefits.
11:30am-12:30pm:  Networking Lunch
12:30-4:00pm:  Re-Purposing a Building-Morrill Hall
Iowa State University's Morrill Hall has been sustainable since it's completion in 1890. The course is a case study of the rehabilitation of a building on the national register of historic places. RDG Planning & Design examines the industry factors that lead to the abandonment of the facility, and design considerations in a successful rehabilitation resulting in a LEED certified project. 
4:00-5:00pm:  Tour
A tour of Dubuque's significant sustainable building projects, including the refurbished Durrant headquarters. 
5:00-7:00pm:  Evening Social Reception 


Registration required: Contact Leslie Berckes at COSC via leslie@icosc.com or 515.707.2787.

Recycling

Since 1990, the Iowa Waste Exchange, Iowa has diverted over 2.6 million tons of waste. This waste saved Iowans $59.6 million. By doing so they diverted the waste into production and use to help boost Iowa’s economy.

To learn more go to:
www.programs.iowadnr.gov/iwe/searchmaterials.aspx

For the Metro Waste Authority Curb It! Program please remember that the following products cannot be placed in your bins...
· Garbage or yard debris
· Food contaminated boxes
· Plastic bags
· Styrofoam
· Plastic cups
· Plastic food containers
· Foil and disposable baking tins
· Containers with motor oil or other hazardous materials

However these items are acceptable!
· Necked plastic bottles
· Plastic margarine and yogurt containers
· Newspapers (and inserts)
· Mixed paper (junk mail, envelopes, phone books, cereal boxes, tissue boxes, and magazines)
· Cardboard (must be broken down)
· Tin & aluminum cans
· Shredded paper (place in paper bag or cardboard box)
· Glass bottles (all colors)
· Wire hangers
· Empty aerosol cans

For More information check out:

http://www.mwatoday.com/residential?curb_it.aspx

Foundations & Basements On-Site Workshop

On Friday, August 7th, we will have our second workshop in our series in conjunction with the West Des Moines Affordable Green Demonstration Home in Valley Junction.

This is a collaborative effort between The City of West Des Moines, HOME Inc, the Community Colleges of Iowa, and multiple other partners.

Workshop includes lunch. Visit our website for a tentative schedule, curriculum and workshop fees.

Professional Workshop: 8:45am - 1:00pm.

Homeowner Workshop: 11:30am - 1:00pm.

The facebook event is

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=122855759187

For questions please contact Emily@icosc.com

or call 515-277-6222!

See our website for a list of sponsors. http://www.icosc.com/

Des Moines Demo Home Complete!

We are proud to announce that the Des Moines Demo Home New Construction is now complete! Located at 1347 Forest Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa. To the right is a picture from street view. We are currently waiting for the homes' Silver LEED certification.

The picture to the left is of the rain gardens specifically designed to capture most of the rain off of the roof. The water is funneled into these rain gardens and the plants have been specifically chosen for their native, water loving qualities.

The house also has a rain barrel to capture water for other landscaping needs that aren't a part of the rain garden.

Rain water is also falls into this flower planter located next to the house. It is used in place of a gutter, and with the flowers chosen, provides a beautiful planter.