Chris Henze, Johnson County Roadside Vegetation Manager, will address Naturalizing Roadsides: Making a more beautiful Iowa. The prairie that once covered 85% of Iowa has dwindled to 1/100 of 1% which is protected and managed as prairie. Iowa’s native roadsides help prevent soil erosion and provide important habitat while promoting the use of prairie statewide. In Johnson County, Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management maintains a safe travel environment on the county right-of-ways, controls noxious weeds and soil erosion, sustains water quality, improves wildlife habitat, and provides the public with aesthetically pleasing roadsides using a variety of management tools rather than rely on just one. Chris is also the county Weed Commissioner who oversees the control of legally noxious weeds on all public and private property.

Jane Wilch, Iowa City Recycling Coordinator, will discuss opportunities and options that citizens can make for A GREENER Tomorrow. Iowa City’s Resource Management Division and staff are leaders in recycling programs that benefit our community and Iowa. The Iowa City Landfill offers gardeners compost to benefit the soil in your garden and mulch at an affordable price. Plastic is overtaking our oceans and our landfills. What can consumers do to take climate action and reduce their environmental footprints? Learn all about the waste reduction efforts happening locally, and how you can participate to be part of the environmental solution.