A new statewide initiative from Pathfinders Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) aims to help individuals with disabilities and their caregivers better navigate opportunities to enjoy Iowa’s parks and cultural spaces. Project designers encourage anyone with knowledge about accessible features to help build the crowdsourced database and map. The survey can be accessed directly at https://bit.ly/ADAmap and on Pathfinders’ website, www.pathfindersrcd.org.

In 2023, the Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), which is tasked with reviewing and approving transportation investments in the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area, reached out to IISC to learn how they might tailor a 15-Minute City model to suit their needs. Now, a guidebook to “Complete Neighborhoods” that focuses on mid-sized, U.S. cities provides resources and inspiration. Created by three students in the School of Planning and Public Affairs’ Transportation Certificate program, the nearly 80-page guidebook provides overviews of concepts like supportive development regulations, infill development, and parking requirements.

Professor Theresa Bechtel’s community health class, a three-semester course in the College of Nursing, focuses on the social, behavioral, environmental, economic, and medical factors that contribute to a population's health and well-being. As part of IISC’s collaboration with the South Central Iowa Workforce Development Board and Pathfinders RC&D, Bechtel’s class aims to provide analyses of the gaps in healthcare career training and awareness among high school and college-aged students in the region.

Students receive hands-on experience, such as preparing the site, distributing seeds, and maintaining the prairie. The course also fosters interdisciplinary learning opportunities across the university. “The class is evolving, but its primary focus is to get students outside and to identify plants, identify insects, and learn the basics of restoring prairie and other native landscapes,” Fallon said. Mike Fallon and his students recently worked with the Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities in West Burlington to create a pollinator garden. This project continues Fallon's longtime work on campus and the community to restore prairie to Iowa.

The University of Iowa has received a top rating for sustainability efforts by a national association focused on sustainability in higher education. According to the STARS report: "The UI also offers faculty, staff, and students across all departments the opportunity to work with Iowa communities on sustainability efforts through the Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities (IISC). UI faculty and students partner with one or two communities across the state to tackle real-world projects related to sustainability. IISC has worked with more than 60 Iowa communities on more than 400 projects since 2009."

Students in the Earth and Environmental Sciencse class "Prairie Restoration" worked directly with the city of West Burlington to plant a pollinator garden. Filled with 400 plants, the garden is the culmination of the students' learning about the Tallgrass Prairie ecosystem, its ecological importance, and how to restore land that's been used for agriculture and other purposes to its original state.

Each year, we complete 30-40 projects with communities across the state of Iowa. IISC works with many UI college and departments, including the Colleges of Engineering, Business, Nursing, Liberal Arts & Sciences, and the Graduate College. We add to our projects throughout the academic year. These are our projects for this year, to date. Many more will be added next semester.

Lilli Scott talks food systems with us. The MPA student is part of a team working with Iowa Valley Resource Conservation & Development to analyze a possible CSA voucher program that would be in partnership with the University of Iowa.

The cities of West Burlington and Burlington have been selected as partners by the University of Iowa’s Initiative for Sustainable Communities (IISC) program. During the 2024-25 academic year, IISC will bring more than 100 faculty and students to collaborate with city officials on projects that include engineering designs and policy recommendations.

Pathfinders Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) has been selected as a partner by the University of Iowa’s Initiative for Sustainable Communities (IISC) program. The nonprofit applied with an emphasis on engaging local youth in areas of job growth. “Working in conjunction with the South Central Iowa Workforce Development Board, Pathfinders is thinking creatively and strategically about how to keep young people in Iowa’s small towns and rural areas,” said Travis Kraus, director of IISC.