Iowans will gather in at least eleven cities and towns this weekend as part of the Moving Planet rally for action on climate change. Groups organizing the effort include 350.org, Greenpeace, the Sierra Club, Oxfam and the World Council of Churches. Click here to search for rallies, walks and bike rides taking place in 175 countries.
Details on the planned events in Iowa on September 24 and 25 are after the jump. I hope to see some Bleeding Heartland readers on the bicycle ride through downtown Des Moines.
Saturday, September 24
Ames – A walk at Ada Hayden Heritage Park (5205 Grand) begins at 9 a.m.
Cedar Falls – The Cedar Falls municipal utility is hosting an energy and environmental fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at One Utility Parkway. University of Northern Iowa students will collect recyclables from tailgaters before the UNI Panther football game from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cedar Rapids – A bike ride from Tait Cummins Park in southwest Cedar Rapids (adjacent to coal plant) begins at 1 p.m. The route runs to Water Tower Condominium Green Roof and to Prairiewoods (the home of Linn County’s largest photovoltaic array) in Hiawatha, where there will be an environmental fair, renewable energy tour, and speakers, concluding with a group photograph at 3:50 p.m.
Davenport – A walk begins at 10 a.m. from Schwiebert Park in Rock Island across the Centennial Bridge to Davenport to a rally at the city bus terminal.
Des Moines – A bike rally starts at 11 a.m. from the First Street Bridge (by Mullet’s and accessible by bike trail). Riders will follow a downtown route that highlights energy-efficient buildings, renewable energy projects, and public transit, winding up back at Mullet’s for a celebration of community and a call for climate action.
Dubuque – A bike ride and walk begin at 10 a.m. at Prescott School, touring the Historic Millwork District, passing a coal plant being decommissioned next year, passing the Municipal Service Center where the second largest photovoltaic array in Iowa will be installed later this year, and finishing at the northwest corner of Miller-Riverview Park.
Grundy Center – A walk around the Grundy County Court House in Grundy Center begins at 9:00 a.m.
Lamoni – Walk, pedal, or skate to a better future beginning at 10 a.m. at the corner of Cherry Street and College Avenue in Lamoni.
West Des Moines – Students will meet at 11 a.m. at Stilwell Junior High School, 1415 Grand Avenue.
Sunday, September 25
Independence – The Sunday rally starts at 3:30 p.m. at the Independence School Administration Building, where a solar panel was recently installed. A walk and bike ride on the local trail will follow.
Iowa City – A bike ride and walk leave from the Pentacrest at 1:30 p.m. to Lower City Park for a program and environmental fair featuring former Iowa football star Tim Dwight. The fair that runs from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.