by Megan Klein-Hewett

As the City of Ames makes progress in the Climate Action Plan (CAP) process, Earth Day provides an opportunity for each of us to learn about and engage in actions that will lead to greater environmental sustainability in our community. Whether you wish to learn in person, change your habits locally, or read up on climate change, the Library has something to connect you to climate action in our community.

Ames Public Library is again working with the City of Ames to present EcoChats, a series of presentations featuring local experts on topics focused on sustainability practices in our community. On Thursday, April 28, at 6 pm in the Library’s Auditorium join Jessica Butters of Prairie Rivers of Iowa and Bruce Ehresman of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Diversity Program as they discuss pollinator support and bird-friendly communities.

If you’re looking for an event for all ages, come to the Library’s Auditorium on Saturday, April 30, at 10:30 am to learn all about Iowa State University’s Iowa Insect Pageant. The Iowa Insect Pageant is an insect extravaganza, featuring insects made large through puppetry. Learn how the puppets and music were created, and make your own Iowa Insect puppet! Bring your new friend and join in the fun at the 2 pm performance of Iowa Insect Pageant at Bandshell Park the same day.

Are you interested in learning more about how to use rebates and other City of Ames programs to make your home more sustainable? Visit the Library’s lobby April 18-24 to pick up information about the many programs available through the City to help reduce the financial cost of implementing more sustainable practices at home.

Join Ames Public Library and many other local organizations for the annual Ames Reads Leopold event at Brookside Park on April 24 at 1 pm. Celebrate the legacy of naturalist Aldo Leopold through readings of his work, “A Sand County Almanac.”

If reading at home is more your speed, the Library has plenty of books to choose from! Though Ames Public Library has dozens of titles about sustainability and climate change, I’ve selected a few for readers of all ages that can help you get a jumpstart on Earth Week 2022.

For Adults

• “From the Ground Up: Local Efforts to Create Resilient Cities” by Alison Sant
  • If the City of Ames’ current Climate Action Plan has you intrigued, Sant will introduce you to other communities around the United States who have taken steps toward climate resilience.

For Teens

• “A Short, Hopeful Guide to Climate Change” by Oisín McGann
  • A great guide for all ages, but specifically geared toward teens. This is the perfect starting point for anyone who wants to better understand climate change but doesn’t want to be lost in a sea of scientific terms and numbers. McGann breaks down complicated subjects into relatable stories and graphics to make learning about climate change engaging.
• “How to Change Everything: The Young Humans’ Guide to Protecting the Planet and Each Other” by Naomi Klein with Rebecca Stefoff
  • Klein provides a call to action to teens - those who will take the next steps in the fight for climate justice - through stories of both climate injustice in the United States, and climate success from around the world.

For Kids

• “A Kid’s Guide to Saving the Planet: it’s not hopeless and we’re not helpless” by Paul Douglas, illustrations by Chelen Écija
  • Douglas uses his years of experience as a meteorologist to share information about climate change in a clear and accessible way. Readers of all ages will be taken with the beautiful illustrations by Écija, which help even the youngest of readers begin to understand changes they can make to impact the future of our planet.