The city of Dubuque continues to build its reputation as Iowa’s most eco-friendly city. Governor Terry Branstad’s administration recently announced the winners of the upcoming Iowa Environmental Excellence awards, and one is going to the Sustainable Dubuque initiative. Granted, Branstad isn’t known to have an eye for “environmental excellence,” but in this case the award is well-deserved. After the jump I’ve posted the press release announcing other winners of this year’s awards. Click here to learn more about what Sustainable Dubuque has accomplished during the past five years. The initiative is one big reason Dubuque has received so much recognition:

*Named most livable small city in the country, according to the U.S. Conference of Mayors (2008)

*Honored for “excellence in historic preservation-led strategies,” according to the Economic Development Administration, an agency within the federal Commerce Department (2009).

*Chosen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Transportation and Department of Housing and Urban Development for sustainability pilot programs (2009)

*Named All-Star Community by the Iowa League of Cities  (2010)

*Received leadership award from 1000 Friends of Iowa for adopting a Unified Development Code that “promotes best practices in sustainable development and will serve as a model for other cities in Iowa” (2010)

*Honored as third-place finalist and gold-standard community for cities with populations between 20,000 and 75,000, at the International Awards for Livable Communities (2010)

Various business groups and business-oriented media have also cited Dubuque as one of the best places to work, live or raise a family in the country.

Meanwhile, Dubuque’s public transit system (“the Jule”) just won an award from the Federal Transit Administration Region VII and was recognized by the Iowa Department of Transportation as Iowa’s “Most Improved Urban Transit System.” The Jule managed to reduce the cost per ride by 14.5 percent during the past fiscal year while the number of rides taken increased by 10.7 percent. Many Iowans think of public transit only in a large urban context, but there is demand for reliable bus service in many smaller Iowa cities and towns.

Civic leaders have implemented eco-friendly initiatives elsewhere in this state (I’m looking at you, Cedar Falls, Davenport, Des Moines and Iowa City), but Dubuque is setting the bar high and striving to do more. Just last week, the city council voted unanimously to approve a goal of using 90 percent fewer plastic shopping bags in Dubuque by 2017. The city council had considered banning the plastic bags by 2014 but opted for a gradual approach through outreach and education.

This October, Dubuque will host its fourth annual “Growing Sustainable Communities” conference. I hope staff or city council members from many other towns will attend. Conference details are after the jump. Registration is free for the first 100 students to sign up.

Growing Sustainable Communities Conference

Economy, Engagement, Eco-Efficiencies

Hosted by the City of Dubuque, Sustainable Dubuque, and Sustainable City Network

Tuesday, October 11, 1 – 4 p.m., Pre-Conference Workshops

Wednesday, October 12, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Full Conference

Grand River Center | Port of Dubuque

Mayor Roy D. Buol and the Dubuque City Council are pleased to host Dubuque’s fourth annual “Growing Sustainable Communities” conference on Wednesday, October 12, 2011. The theme of this year’s conference is “Economy, Engagement, Eco-Efficiencies.”  Three pre-conference workshops will be held the afternoon of October 11.

The City of Dubuque remains committed to its vision for a sustainable community, and the principles of economic prosperity, environmental integrity, and social and cultural vibrancy. The conference this year will provide the opportunity to learn from national and regional experts about four of our sustainability principles: Resource Management; Reasonable Mobility; Smart Energy; and Community Knowledge.

Conference Preview

Click here for a preview of this year’s Conference.  Check back soon for a full list of workshops offered!

Conference Registration Rates

To pre-register and reserve your early bird rate for the conference, please click here. We will send you a notification email when the full agenda is posted and conference registration officially opens on August 1.

                                     Oct. 12 Conference Only       Oct. 11-12 Pre-Conference Workshops & Conference

Early Bird Registration

(Aug. 1 – Sept. 15)                         $50                                                $75

Regular Registration

(Sept. 16 – Oct. 10)                       $75                                                $100

Student Registration: Once again this year’s conference is offered free to the first 100 students to register. Please indicate on the registration form your student status, your educational institution and grade level.

For a link to local lodging, click here.

Posted on: July 7, 2011

Dubuque Receives Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award

The City of Dubuque is one of 20 Iowa organizations and businesses which will receive Environmental Excellence awards from Gov. Terry E. Branstad on Aug. 1. The awards are the premier environmental honors in Iowa and were announced on July 7.

Dubuque will receive the Environmental Excellence Award for the Sustainable Dubuque initiative, a top priority for the Dubuque City Council and a community planning process that began in 2006 for citizens to help design a sustainability initiative for Dubuque. Through the process, sustainability for Dubuque was defined as a community’s ability to meet the environmental, economic, and social equity needs of today without reducing the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Sustainable Dubuque is a holistic approach to making the community sustainable which utilizes a three-part approach that addresses environmental and ecological integrity, economic prosperity, and social and cultural vibrancy.

“On behalf of all Iowans, I would like to congratulate these organizations for their leadership and innovation in protecting Iowa’s natural resources,” said Gov. Branstad. “These awards serve as a small token of appreciation for their commitment to preserve Iowa’s precious natural resources for future generations of Iowans to enjoy.”

“It will be a privilege to accept this award on behalf of the residents of Dubuque because Sustainable Dubuque has been and continues to be a citizen-led process to improve the quality of life in our community — today and for the future,” said Dubuque Mayor Roy D. Buol. “It is an honor for our community to be acknowledged at this level and I thank Governor Branstad for offering this program to support environmental excellence.”

The awards program recognizes comprehensive environmental programs by organizations and businesses, along with special project awards in water quality, air quality, waste management, habitat restoration and development, energy efficiency and renewable energy, and environmental education.

The recognition ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 1, in the Wallace Building auditorium located at 502 E. Ninth St. in Des Moines. The winners include:

Environmental Excellence Award:

• Iowa Soybean Association Environmental Programs and Services, Ankeny

• City of Dubuque

• Board of Regents, State of Iowa

• Meredith Corporation, Des Moines

• East Central Intergovernmental Association – Petal Project, Dubuque

• American Packaging Corporation, Story City

Special Recognition in Water Quality:

• City of Charles City

• University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls

• Burke Corporation, Nevada

Special Recognition in Air Quality:

• Bi-State Regional Commission, Rock Island, IL

• Juergens Environmental Control, Carroll

Special Recognition in Waste Management:

• City of Pella

• American Ordnance LLC, Middletown

• Cox Sanitation and Recycling, Inc., North English

Special Recognition in Habitat Restoration/Development:

• City of Waverly

• Eaton Corporation – Shenandoah Plant

Special Recognition in Energy Efficiency/Renewable Energy:

• Metropolitan Des Moines Wastewater Reclamation Association

• TEAM- West Branch High School, West Branch

• Waste Management of Iowa, Des Moines

Special Recognition in Environmental Education:

• Dowling Catholic Entrepreneurial Studies Program, West Des Moines

For more information about the Governor’s Iowa Environmental Excellence Awards, go to www.iowadnr.gov/Environment/IowaEnvironmentalAwards.aspx For more information on Sustainable Dubuque, visit www.sustainabledubuque.org

The awards are sponsored by the Governor’s Office, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Iowa Department of Economic Development, the Iowa Department of Education, the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Iowa Waste Reduction Center.

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