Climate Action Grant

Thanks to an application submitted by parents, Willowwind was the recent recipient of the Iowa City Community Partnership Climate Action Grant in 2019. An award of $4,200 will be given to support a “Children-to-Children Climate Actions” project at Willowwind. The project will focus on composting and waste reduction; gardening, local food, and healthy plant-based diets; and stormwater management through green infrastructure. In addition to funding student-created communication and outreach materials, the grant will provide partial support for the construction of raised beds for the garden, and contribute to rehabilitating and showcasing the existing Willowwind prairie and bioswale areas.

THE FOCUS:

• Composting and waste reduction.

• Gardening, local food, and healthy plant-based diets.

• Stormwater management through green infrastructure

These focus areas were strategically selected because they are mutually supportive and build on Willowwind’s existing assets. The grant will support setting up a school-wide composting program, which will in turn support Willowwind’s waste reduction goals and gardening efforts. The students will participate in the composting program, document it, and communicate the project benefits through their outreach projects. The grant will provide partial support for the construction of raised beds for the garden, which will increase on-site food production. The students will document and communicate their experience with planting, growing, and eating from the garden. Finally, the grant will contribute to updating and showcasing the existing Willowwind prairie and bioswale that mitigate neighborhood stormwater runoff.

PRAIRIE & BIOSWALE REVITALIZATION

Phase 1: Weed and High Mow (DONE!)

Sustainable Landscape Solutions (SLS) worked with Willowwind’s Building and Grounds Committee to determine the best course of action for this project. The first order of business was for SLS to identify and remove non-native species and volunteer saplings in both the prairie and bioswale starting early summer. Next, the prairie received a high mow, cutting grasses back to further clear debris and encourage growth.

Phase 2: Controlled Burn (DONE!)

Willowwind also worked with the amazing crew at Impact7G who invigorated our prairie strips and bioswale with much needed burns in March of 2021. Prairies are fire-dependent ecosystems. Burning discourages the growth of invasive species, encourages the germination of natives, and releases nutrients that rejuvenate the soil. Controlled burns will be a vital part of maintaining our prairie.

Phase 3: Plant and Seed (DONE!)

Happily, Willowwind’s bioswale is already bursting with native plants so most of our focus for planting and seeding will be on the two swaths of prairie on campus. We’ve used this past season to observe the prairie’s growth and the plant species currently present. With the burn now complete we will get a better idea of the existing plant species and can begin to plant and/or seed some additional natives to further diversify these important natural habitats and feeding grounds for pollinators and other beneficial creatures.

Phase 4: Maintain. Learn. Enjoy. (DONE!)

Willowwind’s prairie and bioswale will continue to benefit from future burns, mowing, and other routine maintenance. Signage and website updates were added summer of 2021 which highlight these important areas and take visitors and students on a self-guided educational tour of Willowwind’s green spaces. Of course, children will continue to make good use of the prairie, as they explore, pretend, investigate, and engage with nature throughout their time here.

Click the images below to view a larger version of the signs.

CHILD TO CHILD CLIMATE ACTION WORK

For Willowwind students, stewardship and activism are built into the curriculum so working with them to create meaningful imagery, messaging, and concrete action steps for their peers was a no-brainer. The following PSAs were created by Willowwind students as a way to reach other children and raise awareness on some critically important climate issues facing us today.