ICE Accomplishments
· ICE’s Information Exchange is a newsletter published periodically with a circulation of over 500 copies per issue. The Exchange offers up-to-date environmental news and constructive information to assist readers in their efforts to make Omaha a better place to live and raise families. Newsletter archive
· ICE maintains a web site http://www.omahaice.org/ featuring information about the organization, links to Omaha area environmental organizations, and an archive of newsletters.
· ICE sponsors an annual dinner or luncheon featuring a speaker on environmental issues of current interest. Past discussion topics have included: bio-terrorism, lead-based paint hazards, storm water waste, hanta virus, radon gas, Omaha’s recycling effort, and the obesity epidemic. Priority for programs is placed on information that enables attendees to be eligible for continuing education units.
· Presentation of the Bob Light Annual Community Improvement Award. This award recognizes an individual or group that has made a significant contribution to bettering the environment within the neighborhoods of central and eastern Omaha. Past award recipients: Gifford Park Neighborhood Association; Lynch Park Neighborhood Association; Clairmont Heights Neighborhood Association; North High School Environenmental Planning Students; and City of Omaha Parks superintendent Jerry Flood. Bob Light was a founding member of ICE and was active on the board until his death in 2000. Bob was a member of the Leavenworth Neighborhood Association and Omaha’s Weed and Seed Strategy Board. He worked tirelessly to improve his neighborhood and upgrade the environmental quality of life for all Omaha residents.
· Sewer Photo Blitz helps neighborhoods bring clogged or malfunctioning sewers to the attention of City of Omaha officials
· The City to Prairie Initiative is a program that introduces inner city youth to the natural environment of the prairie, wetlands and wildlife habitat through a hands-on educational experience. Funded by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency.
· Under the Sink—An initiative to plan and establish a hazardous waste disposal facility for Omaha and Douglas County residents. ICE helped to educate residents to the benefits of establishing and utilizing this operation. The Household Hazardous Waste Facility is located at 120th and I Street in Omaha. The facility will accept many items that cannot be placed at the curb for weekly pick-up and keep these harmful products out of local landfills. Partners in this venture include the City of Omaha and Douglas County. Link to web site
· Brownfield’s Site Community/Consultant Liaison: ICE was selected to assist in obtaining input from the public for the first Brownfield’s site in the City of Omaha (located at the Miller Property, the Dock Board Property and Freedom Park). ICE developed a survey sent to selected residents and hosted a public hearing to solicit additional views concerning the project.
· Storm Water Waste Management–ICE representatives served on the focus group set up to determine the fee structure that would be established as part of state legislation on this issue. more information
· Small Grant Program: Grants have been awarded to City Sprouts Gardening Program and Growing HOPE (Helping Omaha’s People Eat), an initiative of the Douglas/Sarpy County Extension Service, Douglas/Sarpy Master Gardeners and Faithful Shepherd Presbyterian church to provide fresh produce and education to food pantries, the elderly and low-income Omaha residents.
· Master Gardener Scholarship Program: ICE accepts applications from residents who are interested in participating in Douglas/Sarpy Extension’s Master Gardener Program. Scholarship recipients then volunteer their time in their neighborhood and community to help promote environmentally friendly gardening practices. Scholarship Application
· Community Involvement—ICE Board members represent the organization at forums and workshops throughout the Omaha area to keep abreast of topics of interest to the group and to promote environmental issues and concerns.
· Omaha ICE sponsors public forums and workshops with a focus on the city’s older urban areas. For example, on October 28, 2006 ICE put on ARE YOU READY? a workshop on Community Emergency Preparedness.
· Sponsored annual dinner October 4, 2007, Saving America’s Dog with speaker Pam Wiess from the Nebraska Humane Society. Although dog fighting is illegal, the breeding of dogs for fighting, dog fights and associated gambling are big problems in Omaha’s inner-city neighborhoods. Ms. Wiess discussed how neighborhood leaders can assist police to identify these criminals.
· A volunteer board of directors, who represent a broad spectrum of the community, governs ICE. The Board meets monthly at the Douglas/Sarpy Extension Office at 8015 West Center Road. If you would be interested in membership on the ICE Board or are interested in receiving the newsletter contact Larry Burks, President, 8015 W. Center Rd, Omaha, NE 68124, or phone (402) 305-3599 or email Earthly1@hotmail.com.
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Updated March 11, 2008