Students researched bee diversity in Iowa City, compared it to bee diversity in prairie and agricultural settings, and related it to floral diversity in each setting. They used pan trapping and sweep netting methods to collect bees during their research. They offered recommendations to the City of Iowa City to help the area maintain and increase urban bee diversity.

Students conducted research on Iowa City’s ash trees to help prepare for the emerald ash borer (EAB) and develop a response plan. Students used various survey methodologies to assess current ash tree condition and coverage in Iowa City, including counting the trees, recording their GPS coordinates, and measuring their characteristics. Using this data, students created a map of ash tree coverage and identified priority sites in which they recommend that the city implement monitoring and management strategies.

Undergraduate students created three strategic communication plans for the City of Iowa City.

The goal of these plans is to help city communicators gain local and regional attention to the sustainability efforts in Iowa City. Each of the campaigns is directed towards a different audience and includes different promotional materials, also developed by the students. Each campaign outlines branded marketing materials, website mockups, costs, timelines and more.

Students in the Tippie College of Business created a local marketing campaign to promote sustainable behavior in Iowa City called IC Impact. Their objective was to have IC Impact start a sustainability movement in Iowa City that would lead to a positive impact on the community.